The Miseducation Of The Negro: A Reflection On 5 Thoughts Still Relevant Today (part 3)

... As Carter Woodson explains in his book, The Miseducation Of The Negro, there are misconceptions about education that African-Americans need to correct in order for blacks to thrive and be successful.  Interesting enough, his book was published in 1933, nearly 80 years ago...which begs one to question, "how far have we really come ?"

Why are African American Children dissuaded from intellectual or professional pursuits?

As shown through several recent studies, the educational divide between minorities and whites is growing especially in the subjects of math and science. Woodson argues African-Americans fall flat in math and science for two reasons: 1) the immediate family and community fail to put everyday relevance to math and science for many African-American children, 2) there seems to be a discouragement of professional education within African-American communities because of fear with education leading many African-Americans away from the masses. Woodson performed research evaluating the homes of different ethnic groups and concluded that African-Americans fail to use their education to solve their problems close to home. Education was focused more towards memorizing irrelevant facts than the ultimate goal of thinking. There needs to be more open discussion of how breakthroughs in the world of math and science have impacted homes and how it can be used for further development rather than merely accepting advances as they are.

Within many African-American communities today, children are often discouraged from pursuing professional education. It's one thing for people outside our community, and family, to undervalue our children's potential, ...but why do we?


Our children are the future, and if we seek to rebuild/restore our nation, we will need thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, intellectuals, teachers, and scientist, to lead us into that future as leaders to the world.  Don't buy into societies trap that our children are only capable of certain careers.  Our children are brilliant, and capable of great achievements, if we nurture and guide them from the very start.

(To Be Continued)