Tell Them We Are Rising
Significance of Black Colleges
Role: Black colleges serve as affirming spaces for black identity and self-development.
Characteristics:
Unapologetically black, allowing freedom of exploration.
Seen as institutions for elevating aspirations beyond the status quo.
Education and Historical Context for African Americans
Fundamental Questions:
What is the purpose of education for African Americans?
Who controls education?
What is education's relationship with broader aspirations?
Historical Perspectives on Slavery and Education
Quote by Laja Moss: Reflections on attempts to learn during slavery, highlighting that slaves sought education despite severe restrictions.
Impact of Ignorance: Slavery involved not just physical brutality but also the denial of knowledge. Education became valuable as it was denied.
Booker T. Washington:
Expressed the yearning for education.
Tied intellectual freedom to opportunities.
Laws Against Educating Slaves
Legal Constraints:
These laws aimed to maintain control over the slave population, forbidding teaching of reading and writing.
Examples: Virginia laws imposing fines or imprisonment on those who teach slaves.
National Discrimination:
Discrimination against African Americans was not confined to the South, illustrated by opposition to black colleges elsewhere.
Contrabands and Education During the Civil War
African Americans Escaping Slavery: Many sought education upon reaching Union lines, enrolling in contraband schools after labor.
Desire for Knowledge: Stories of older individuals seeking to learn despite having been denied education for a lifetime.
Establishment of Black Colleges Post-Civil War
First Actions Post-War: Formerly enslaved individuals opened schools, often guided by individuals with limited teaching experience.
Establishment of Schools:
Many were set up by Northern organizations such as the American Missionary Association (AMA) aiming to civilize the South.
Need for black-led Educational Institutions: There was a call for African Americans to establish their own interpretation of education.
Historical Context and Developments in Black Higher Education
Formation of Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs):
African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) began forming colleges for black education.
Momentum grew for establishing independent institutions free from paternalism.
Federal Government Involvement: Creation of public black colleges by government entities, leading to the rise of over 86 black colleges by the late 1800s.
Resistance and Violence Surrounding Black Education
Southern Reaction: There was fear regarding an educated black population and the potential for insurrection.
Violence Against Educators and Students: Destruction of schools and lynching of those teaching black students emphasized resistance to education.
Survival of Black Colleges: Despite challenges, colleges persisted, producing first graduates from formerly enslaved backgrounds.
Booker T. Washington and Industrial Education
Hampton Institute: Booker T. Washington's education at Hampton shaped his beliefs in industrial education.
Tuskegee Institute:
Washington took charge and developed it as an industrial education model, emphasizing vocational training.
Promoted a message that appealed to white industrialists but shaped education in a limiting way for black students.
Washington's Atlanta Exposition Speech
Content and Impact:
His speech advocated for black laborers without social equality. It sought to placate white audiences, delivering a message that resonated well with Southern leaders and philanthropists.
W. E. B. Du Bois and Counter Ideology
Opposition to Washington:
Advocated for higher education and complete equality. His philosophy focused on fighting for civil rights and developing leaders among African Americans.
Key Beliefs:
Education should serve as a means to gain freedom.
Strongly opposed Washington's concessions to white society.
Shifting Perspectives on Education by the 20th Century
Decline of Washington's Influence:
As the 20th century progressed, vocational training became less relevant, paving way for an ideological shift in black education.
Post World War I:
African American veterans returned seeking social change and rights after their sacrifices.
Social Movements and Black College Engagement
Increased Activism: The subsequent decades saw elevated student activism on college campuses.
Student Protests and Sit-Ins:
Black students across the South began engaging in organized sit-ins to assert their rights, signaling a shift in attitudes towards activism.
Demonstrations gained momentum as students were driven to fight for civil rights.
Key Events and Violent Backlash
Southern University Incident:
This turmoil culminated in violence, with protests ending in tragic loss of life.
Evolution of Students' Rights: Following student protests, there was a necessity to address student grievances through organized action.
The Role of Black Colleges in Continuing Activism
Importance of HBCUs: These institutions provided safe spaces for black students to explore their identities while fostering community and solidarity.
Revolutionary Potential: The environment in black colleges not only contributed to personal identity but also fostered future leaders for social justice movements.
Present and Future of Black Colleges
Challenges: Some HBCUs face declining enrollments and loss of resources due to competition with predominantly white institutions post-Brown v. Board of Education.
Maintaining Relevance: HBCUs must differentiate themselves by emphasizing their unique cultural and educational advantages to attract and maintain students.
Conclusion
Legacy of Black Colleges: Despite challenges, HBCUs have a critical role in shaping the future of black educators, leaders, and advocates for social change, demonstrating resilience in the face of systemic challenges.