Jarett Fields ER Room:
Jarett Fields
This year marked the 80th anniversary of Carter G. Woodson’s, Mis-Education of the Negro.
It was a profound assessment of the American education system, and its effects for Black people.
In his view, “mis-education” described a process of learning, and schooling, which taught Blacks that they were inferior to Whites.
The perpetuation of mis-education, Woodson argued, rendered Blacks forever in service to Whites.
He knew the importance of education but he derided America’s brainwashing Black children.
Woodson dedicated his life to education reform, or rather mis-education reform.
“The mere imparting of information is not education. Above all things the effort must result in making a man think and do for himself,” he argued.
From slavery to Jim Crow, whites made decisions for and about Black people without hesitation.
Racial inequality permeated all facets of American life, and the education system was no different.
To inspire change, Woodson stressed knowledge of history for the purpose of self-sufficiency.
Education reform has come a long way since Woodson published Mis- Education but there’s still so far to go.
First, we need more Black folks advocating for education reform.
That means parents, teachers, community members, and folks in the faith community must all be engaged in the process of education and culture of education in our community.
That way, education reform has a strong base of support.
Next, we need to determine what works best for our students so that we support initiatives, ideas, and policies that promote the success of all Black students.
Finally, we must begin open and constructive dialogue so that we can join together and fight for a unified cause.
Today’s education reformers owe lots to Carter G. Woodson – including myself.
Fighting for poor and minority children whose chances of receiving a quality education is determined by their zip code, family income, and skin color, I am reminded that the struggle for education reform aligns with the historical and continuing struggle for equality in America.
Our future generations cannot afford for us to stop this fight or lose this battle.