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W. E. B Dubois Education For Black Men Essay

779 Words4 Pages

Jasmine Sayed
Professor Jennifer Lyons
History of the US After 1865
26 February 2023
Midterm Essay #1

As one continues to grapple with issues of racial inequality and injustice in the United States, it is worth revisiting the words of W.E.B. Du Bois, a trailblazing civil rights activist, and historian who continues to inspire and enlighten many over a century later. W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, was known for his influential works that challenged the status quo and paved the way for the advancement of African Americans in the United States. One of his most renowned works is the essay "Of the Training of Black Men," published in 1903, which highlights the importance of educating Black …show more content…

As segregation and discrimination limited their opportunities for social and economic mobility, education provided a path for African Americans to challenge these barriers and advocate for their rights. Du Bois argues that education is key to improving the conditions of the African American community as a whole. He emphasizes that education should not only focus on academic knowledge but also on developing leadership qualities, the strength of character, and the ability to overcome prejudice and ignorance. As he states, "We want men who can think, and who can think straight. Strength of character and ability to overcome prejudice and ignorance is also necessary” (Du Bois, 1989). Here, the importance of education is emphasized when it comes to developing critical thinking skills and the ability to overcome the prejudices and ignorance that African Americans faced in American society. He argues that education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing qualities like the strength of character that are necessary to challenge the societal barriers that limit the potential of Black …show more content…

African Americans were facing immense discrimination and prejudice in American society, and education was one of the few paths to upward mobility for Black people. Du Bois believed that educating Black men was the key to unlocking their potential and empowering them to fight for their civil rights. As historian Eric Foner notes in his textbook, "Give Me Liberty! An American History," the early 20th century marked the establishment of the "Jim Crow" system of segregation in the South. This system enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans through laws and social customs, limiting their access to education, jobs, and other opportunities (Foner, 2017). This system of racial segregation created a legal framework for discrimination and racial inequality, further marginalizing African Americans and restricting their opportunities for advancement. The existence of discriminatory Jim Crow laws made it even more crucial to provide education to the African American community as it would enable them to speak out against the injustice and inequality they

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Education is the development of power and ideal. We want our children trained as intelligent human beings should be, and we will fight for all time against any proposal to educate black boys and girls simply as servants and underlings, or simply for the use of other people” (DuBois) which shows his ideas of wanting education for everyone. He felt that African American people should be allowed to pursue their academic interests and objectives without facing discrimination and that education should serve to uplift the entire African American community, not just a small number of individuals. For African Americans, DuBois also emphasized the need for political and civil liberties, stating that these were essential for growth and true equality. Equality for all and not just some is very important to understand.

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