Travis Johnson
Member
- Messages
- 2,369
When Martin Luther King Day comes around I cannot help but think that in some small way, its also Woodworker's Day. I guess its because growing up in a Foster Home I know all to well what it is like for the underprivileged to make it in this world. No I have not been watching to much Opra lately, but I do have a lot of respect for Martin Luther King, Jr.
I must admit though that I have even more respect for Booker T Washington. As a person who loves woodworking, and American Farming, what better hero can you have then Mr Washington? Did you know he invented the modern varnish as we know it today? Did you know he spent his life reformulating paints and finishes in what he called agricultural chemistry? Or came up with 150 different uses for the sweet potato. Research his life and you will see that he gave us woodworkers so much, and set presidences every where he went and this was back at the last turn of the century when people of his race were looked down upon.
Myself I can't imagine building any woodworking project and not putting a nice finish on it. So the next time you do, you can thank Booker T Washington for that. Today is a great day to reflect upon the fact that anyone can overcome hardships and sterotypes and contribute. Whether its on this forum, for the woodworking world, or for society as a whole; the willingness to share is indeed colorblind.
Happy MartinLuther Kings Day!!
I must admit though that I have even more respect for Booker T Washington. As a person who loves woodworking, and American Farming, what better hero can you have then Mr Washington? Did you know he invented the modern varnish as we know it today? Did you know he spent his life reformulating paints and finishes in what he called agricultural chemistry? Or came up with 150 different uses for the sweet potato. Research his life and you will see that he gave us woodworkers so much, and set presidences every where he went and this was back at the last turn of the century when people of his race were looked down upon.
Myself I can't imagine building any woodworking project and not putting a nice finish on it. So the next time you do, you can thank Booker T Washington for that. Today is a great day to reflect upon the fact that anyone can overcome hardships and sterotypes and contribute. Whether its on this forum, for the woodworking world, or for society as a whole; the willingness to share is indeed colorblind.
Happy MartinLuther Kings Day!!