Is the educatIon system FaIlIng our kIds?

By: Jeniece Thompson

It was Carter G. Woodson, author of The Miseducation of the Negro who said, “Philosophers have long conceded, however, that every man has two educators: ‘that which is given to him, and the other that which he gives himself. Of the two kinds, the latter is by far the more desirable. Indeed, all that is most worthy in man he must work out and conquer for himself. It is that which constitutes our real and best nourishment. What we are merely taught seldom nourishes the mind like that which we teach ourselves.” From our HBCUs to some of our school districts, is the education system failing our kids?

Literacy is very important as it gives us access to information. It is also a way of life. If you’re not informed, then you can easily be taken advantage of, misguided and so much more. During the slavery era, there were anti literacy laws that made it illegal for Blacks to read and write. These laws were created because if slaves were literate, they were considered a “threat.” Slave owners didn’t want slaves to escape or forge any documents declaring their freedom. These anti literacy laws were called “slave codes.”

One of the laws was the Alabama Slave Code of 1833.

Education on pg. 3