On the homepage today, we publish Part II of my series “Freedom U.” It’s about the classical-liberal university in Guatemala, Francisco Marroquín University. I call it a “unicorn” of an institution. You almost have to see it to believe it.

In today’s installment, I mention that there is a room named after Booker T. Washington. (It’s next to a room named after Lao-Tze.) I was amazed to see this. (Then again, practically everything about this university is amazing.) When I was growing up, Washington was kind of snickered at, if he was not scorned. He was portrayed as a kind of Tom — especially in contrast with the proud W. E. B. Du Bois (who, whatever his virtues, adored Stalin).

I was thinking: Have I ever seen Washington honored at home, in America? Not that I can remember, frankly.

I’ll tell you who, in recent years, has reawakened an appreciation of Booker T. Washington in me: Shelby Steele (another brave, independent-minded man). You may want to Google his name along with Washington’s. Instructive.

Anyway, I’m grateful to Francisco Marroquín University for honoring an American who does not get a fair shake in his homeland.