Timothy Thomas Fortune
Timothy Thomas Fortune: A Life of Purpose and Passion
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Timothy Thomas Fortune was an American journalist, editor, and writer who is best known for his work as the owner and editor of _The New York Gazette_, a prominent African-American newspaper.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 3, 1852, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Timothy Thomas Fortune passed away on June 10, 1928, at the age of 75.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Fortune was an American journalist, editor, writer, and social activist. His work spanned multiple professions, including journalism, editing, writing, and lecturing.
#### Early Life and Background
Growing up in a slave-holding state during the tumultuous period preceding the Civil War, Fortune's early life was marked by hardship and struggle. Born to enslaved parents, he suffered physical abuse as a child, which had a profound impact on his future endeavors. After being freed with the Emancipation Proclamation, Fortune moved to St. Augustine, Florida, where he received an education at the local African-American school.
#### Major Accomplishments
Fortune's life was dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of African Americans. He made significant contributions to various fields:
Education: Fortune believed in the importance of education for African Americans. He advocated for equal access to quality education, which he saw as essential for their social and economic advancement.
Journalism: As a journalist and editor, Fortune used his platform to expose injustices faced by African Americans, particularly in the South. He wrote extensively on issues such as racial segregation, lynching, and disenfranchisement.
Activism: Fortune was an active participant in various social movements of his time, including the abolitionist movement. He worked closely with prominent figures like W.E.B. Du Bois to promote African-American rights.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions attributed to Timothy Thomas Fortune include:
The New York Gazette: Founded by Fortune in 1885, this influential newspaper provided a platform for African American voices and perspectives.
Lectures and Speeches: Fortune traveled extensively throughout the United States, delivering lectures on topics such as education, civil rights, and economic empowerment. His speeches often highlighted the struggles faced by African Americans and offered solutions for their improvement.
#### Impact and Legacy
Fortune's dedication to advancing the interests of African Americans has left a lasting impact:
Civil Rights Movement: Fortune's work contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy helped raise awareness about racial injustices, paving the way for future social movements.
* Education: Through his unwavering commitment to education, Fortune opened doors for generations of African American students. He played a crucial role in establishing educational institutions and promoting access to quality education.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Timothy Thomas Fortune is widely quoted and remembered due to his tireless efforts to promote the welfare and rights of African Americans. His unwavering dedication, unshakeable optimism, and passionate advocacy have inspired countless individuals and continue to resonate today.
Quotes by Timothy Thomas Fortune
Ours is supposed to be a government in which classes and distinctions melt into a harmonious whole. Until we reach this ideal of government, we will be a distracted, contentious people.
We must learn to lean upon ourselves; we must learn to plan and execute business enterprises of our own; we must learn to venture our pennies if we would gain dollars.
The race cannot succeed, nor build strong citizens, until we have a race of women competent to do more than bear a brood of negative men.
Our history in this country dates from the moment that restless men among us became restless under oppression and rose against it . . . Agitation, contentions, ceaseless unrest, constant aspiring -- a race so moved must prevail.
It is not safe in the republican form of government that clannishness should exist either by compulsory or voluntary reason. It is not good for the government and it is not good for the individual.
I do not inveigh against higher education, I simply maintain that the sort of education the colored people of the South stand most in need of, is elementary and industrial. They should be instructed for the work to be done.
The colored man is in the South to stay there. He will not leave it voluntarily and he cannot be driven out. He had no voice in being carried into the South, but he will have a very loud voice in any attempt to put him out.
The white men of the South had better make up their minds that the blacks will remain in the South just as long as corn will tassel and cotton will bloom into whiteness.
Men may be spoiled by education, even as they are spoiled by illiteracy. Education is the preparation of the mind for future work, hence men should be educated with special reference to the work.