Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington was born a slave. After he was freed, he became head of the Tuskegee Institute and became a leader in education. In his autobiography he writes,

"The most trying ordeal that I was forced to endure as a slave boy...was the wearing of a flax shirt. In that portion of Virginia where I lived, it was common to use flax as part of the clothing for slaves. That part of the flax from which our clothing was made was largely the refuse, which of course was the cheapest and roughest part.
I can scarcely imagine any torture, except, the pulling of a tooth, that is equal to that caused by putting on a new flax shirt for the first time. It is almost equal to the feeling that one would experience if he had a dozen or more chestnut burrs, or a hundred small pin-points, in contacat with his flesh....But I had no choice, I had to wear the flax shirt or none....
My brother John, who is several years older than I am, performed one of the most generous acts that i have ever heard of one slave relative doing for another. On several occassions when I was being forced to wear a new flax shirt, he generously agreed to put it on in my stead and wear it for several days, till it was 'broken in.'"

The Bible describes a similar kind of exchange between our brother Jesus (who is quite a bit older than we are)and us when it comes to our outer garment, our frail human and imperfect and prickly exterior. He took our flesh upon him: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
And then he gave us his garment: “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” -- Galatians 3:27