Quiz: Are You a Bookerista?

In Booker T's day, his supporters were called Bookerites. They were so effective that his rivals called them the "Tuskegee Machine." Bookerites sounds old-fashioned to us, so we've coined a new term for a new era: Bookerista. What is that? Do you believe:

___ "Property, industry, skill, intelligence, and character" are necessary to black Americans' success (Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery, 1901)

___ Racism ain't dead, but is on the decline

___ Individual choices are equally or more responsible than racism in explaining black American progress

___ Few black leaders emphasize building upon black strengths to solve our communities' challenges

___ "Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities" (Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery, 1901

___ Government isn't the answer to solving social challenges, but individuals, family, friends, and private charities

___ "In the long run, the world is going to have the best, and any difference in race, religion, or previous history will not long keep the world from what it wants" (Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery, 1901)

___ Most black leaders give too much power to white folks and whiteness, and don't focus nearly enough on how we can improve our situation

___ We won the civil rights struggle, should be extremely proud of our achievements, and should now focus primarily on families, education, and entrepreneurship

___ It's sad "when I have heard members of any race claiming rights and privileges, or certain badges of distinction, on the ground simply that they were members of this or that race, regardless of their own individual worth or attainments" (Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery, 1901)

___ "Ignoring or downplaying black achievement promotes the victim attitude where people believe that in order for them to be successful, somebody else must perform some benevolent act" (Walter Williams)

___ "The enshrinement of victimhood as an identity has fallen out of step with our historical moment and become an obstacle to progress" (John H. McWhorter)

___ The fate of Black America rests primarily in black hands

___ You currently work or volunteer for a black-related cause, as you believe self and community improvement are key

___ Education is a key armor vs. racism

___ God has given a special role to black Americans in U.S. society (promoting providential democracy)

___ In America, most people are where they are because of life choices

___ There is no set way to be black

___ The growing disparity within Black America deserves at least as much attention by black leaders as racism

___ You have faith in Black America's future, because "of the wilderness through which and out of which, a good Providence has already led us" (Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery, 1901)


12 or more (60%+): You're a bona fide Bookerista
8-11 (40%+): You have Bookerista potential, but need some work. Keep it up!
Under 8: You're a liberal and most likely a victimologist. Well, no one's perfect