From your perspective, discuss the historical significance of the theme of this book?

From your perspective, discuss the historical significance of the theme of this book?

Among the main themes in the book “The Mis-education of the Negro” by Dr. Carter G. Woodson is education. Woodson is talking about African Americans getting an education to liberate themselves. He argued that during the time, black Americans were culturally indoctrinated instead of being taught in American schools. He is trying to say that lack of education made them feel inferior. Woodson states that this conditioning led the black people to become dependent and to look for inferior places in the greater society of which they are part. Although he presents the theme of education in a different way, Woodson has demonstrated it in a way that makes it historically significant- through the idea of black studies, blacks being taken as inferior, gaining education o fight for their rights, how church supported the blacks, political education and African Americans thinking for themselves.

Woodson argues that African Americans had to receive education concerning their culture and the substantial accomplishments of people of African decedent. He further states that most African American schools only taught European history.  This idea of educating black people about their culture in schools is more so about black studies and teaching black history, which has significance in history. This is significant historically since it shows that there is more to blacks than the conflicting stories and stereotypes people see on television, movies, and the news. It is a way of showing African Americans and the whites that there is a lot African Americans have done for the country. Looking at their history, will provide correct facts about blacks and think about their contribution historically. It will end the negative perception of African Americans since their history is full of their contribution to the development of America.

Moreover, he asserts that African Americans were receiving education to become consumers and not business owners in the early twentieth century. This argument insisting on the theme of education has a historical significance in that it reflects on the debate between Booker T Washington and W.E.B Du Bois on the development of African Americans. Woodson argues that African Americans did not develop a successful business in their communities, and without these businesses, in these businesses, African Americans would not make a living. Both talk about education for political and economic freedom of African Americans. This is an excellent way to reflect on history by taking us back to when African Americans were seeking education to liberate themselves politically. Woodson also states that there was a significant lack of education among blacks. Textbooks that were created particularly for African Americans students lacked the constitution. There was a state where the constitution was not allowed in African American textbooks since they feared that blacks would learn their rights. This teaches the history of discrimination and preventing blacks’ political liberation and liberation from slavery.

Worst of all, Woodson argues that many schools were teaching that Africans and those of African heritage were inferior to other races. This is the theme of education, but it reflects on racism, where most whites held the belief that Africans and African Americans are inferior to whites. Besides the idea of being inferior, some also believe that blacks’ contributions to America were inferior. Woodson argues that whether it was in literature, history, or science, whites got an education that their contribution to American society was superior to African Americans. This is a perception that is still held by some whites. There also people of African origin and African Americans who think their contribution is inferior to whites. This is racism, which has historical significance. Such education built “in whites race hate of the Negro and Negroes contempt for themselves.”  It is through teaching in the history and other fields that African contribution to America is equal to the white’s contribution. This again connects to the black studies and its importance in history.

The theme of education finally offers the role of the church in the struggle for their rights and fight against racial discrimination for African Americans. Woodson describes how educated African Americans could further the development of the church. These African American churches became the point of enhancing education, helping African American businesses, and distributing financial, political, and health information. After getting freedom, the church became an element with the role of organizing religious communities, develop new lives and unite families, find jobs, and to think how it would mean for African Americans to live in the United States as American citizens and not as property. The theme takes us back to the history of the church in shaping the lives of African Americans as well as the long history of antislavery and political activity among northern African American Protestants who had convinced them that they would play a significant role in the adjustment of the four million freed slaves in United States life.

Woodson’s emphasis on education gives the reader a reflection of the struggle of African Americans in America since the slave trade. The theme of education touches on the idea of ending racial discrimination in the United States. The ideas of black studies have brought historical significance, taking African Americans as inferior, and the role of the church in antislavery and racism. Every idea here is connected to historical events and struggles. The blacks had to change their way of thinking for them to change their condition, and the ways of thinking would be changed by education by learning about their rights. Learning about African American culture and history would help in understanding blacks.