Notes 4/22

• Uplift Movement

  • Related to community uplift and individual self-help.

  • Aims to provide individuals with resources such as jobs, housing, and education.

  • Example: James McCune Smith, who had to go to Scotland to obtain a medical degree due to racial restrictions in the U.S.

  • Returned to uplift his community by working in local hospitals and clinics.

  • Emphasizes the interconnectivity between uplifting the community and personal advancement.

• Prudence Crandall

  • A Quaker who established an all-girls school that later admitted black girls, leading to community backlash.

  • The school was eventually shut down and burned down after she was arrested for her actions.

  • Highlights the difficulties faced by those who attempted to uplift education for black individuals.

• African Free School

  • Established in New York in the 1830s with an initial enrollment of 1,400 students.

  • An example of the push for education among freed and enslaved African Americans.

• Vocational vs. Higher Education Debate

Uplift Movement
Related to community uplift and individual self-help, the Uplift Movement aims to empower marginalized communities by providing individuals with essential resources such as jobs, housing, and education. This movement emphasizes the collective approach to improving one's self and the community, linking personal advancement to community progress.

Example: James McCune Smith was a key figure in this movement, who faced racial discrimination in the U.S. in pursuit of his medical degree. He was forced to travel to Scotland to obtain his qualification, demonstrating the barriers that racial minorities encountered in education. Upon his return to the U.S., he devoted his efforts to uplift his community by working in local hospitals and clinics, trying to improve healthcare access for African Americans and advocating for their rights.

Prudence Crandall
A notable Quaker educator, Prudence Crandall established an all-girls school in Connecticut that initially catered to white students. However, she made the progressive decision to admit black girls as well, leading to significant community backlash and hostility. Despite facing severe challenges, including her arrest for this decision, her efforts ultimately highlighted the strong resistance against efforts to increase educational opportunities for black individuals. Crandall's school faced destruction; it was shut down and burned down by those opposed to her actions, exemplifying the societal challenges faced by advocates of educational reform.

African Free School
Established in New York in the 1830s, this institution focus was on providing education to black children, with an initial enrollment of 1,400 students. It stands as a poignant example of the movement advocating for education among freed and enslaved African Americans during a time of significant racial discrimination. The school aimed to offer vocational training alongside traditional education, reflecting the needs of the community for both practical and academic skills.

Vocational vs. Higher Education Debate
The Uplift Movement also contributed to an ongoing debate regarding the merits of vocational versus higher education within African American communities. Some advocated for vocational training to provide immediate job opportunities and practical skills, while others pushed for higher education to cultivate leadership and broader intellectual growth in pursuit of civil rights and equality. This discourse continues to shape educational strategies and discussions in contemporary society, as communities seek to balance immediate economic needs with long-term educational aspirations.