The Purpose of Education for Black People – Worrill’s World

Education is the process of instilling the values of a society, group, nation, race, or ethnic group. It is the method by which people are taught the relationship to their families, communities, nation, race, and the world. Further, education defines the function of society and strives to help one become an active participant in the growth and development of a given society, nation, race, and ethnic group. It is in this context that we understand that education is an important process in helping a people acquire power for the perpetuation of their interests.

It should be obvious by now that most African children in America who attend the public schools of America are not receiving an education. At best it can be called training. That is, learning the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic. In many instances, this kind of training is occurring on a very minimal basis with African in America children.

Therefore, our task becomes one of the continued struggles to re-conceptualize the mission of education for our people. This re-conceptualization must be based on the premise that Woodson set forth when he said, “The race will free itself from exploiters just as soon as it decides to do so. No one else can accomplish this task for the race. It must plan and do for itself.” We will never acquire real power if this does not happen.