Not everyone hails Booker T. Washington as a hero or an important leader. Some people have felt that he was willing to compromise the projection of Black individuals into important, equal roles, largely because "His famous 'Atlanta Compromise' speech of 1895 cautioned blacks against extremism and encouraged them to prove their worth by becoming productive members of society" (Norwood, 2015). Indeed, it is hard for one to be viewed as equal if they must first prove their worthiness. 

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But perhaps we are using this to overlook Washington's legacy, which is a laudable one. He was promoting education in an era when higher learning was quite limited for rural Caucasians and even more far-fetched for African Americans. Washington was allowing African American students the opportunity to expand their knowledge by learning traditional subjects, but supplementing this with what can be deemed as more "practical" job positions during the era—learning trades like sewing, carpentry, housekeeping, and brickmaking (Norwood, 2015). And while one should not have to prove their worth to achieve equality, working to be dignified and to receive a trade are not bad traits. Washington was instilling in his pupils a strong work ethic so that they could better achieve their goals. 

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Washington left a legacy that has been lasting in Tuskegee Institute, which has now expanded in size and stature to become Tuskegee University. Throughout Tuskegee's 140 year existence, the college has trained thousands of students to go on to lead productive, educated lives—like the botanist pictured left. 

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From nothing, Washington in only 25 years "had transformed an idea into a 2,000-acre, eighty-three building campus that, combined with such personal property as equipment, live stock and stock in trade, was valued at $831,895" (Tuskegee University, n.d.). Washington worked interracially, even dining at the White House in 1901 and becoming the first Black person to do so (Tuskegee University, n.d.). Washington, himself, illustrated the knowledge and level of decorum African Americans had, much like their White counterparts. At the same time, Washington was raising up young people to have both dignity and knowledge. For these reasons, Washington's legacy is vast and has expanded far beyond himself. It has touched the lives of others and continues to do so.