Education & Political Insight

Education...Education...Education...

Get an Education was the one thing that was hammered into my head, growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All the siblings in our entire family were subject to the same verbal lashings. Being "Black" (African American) in America. It was The "CRY" of those who came before us that steered the emotions of a people, like a train into the challenge of... What? "The Battle Of Ignorance"... Funny thing about a train. "If your not the Conductor, your just on for the ride"... In 1964 I was ten years old (10). President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Bill, enabling African Americans to have unobstructed passage throughout society grounding them equal citizenship (the right to vote included) as their (white) European American counterpart. I believe it was Al Sharpton that recently stated "we've only been citizens 45 years" (State Of The Black Union address). Where a 100 years before "Blacks" had won a new found freedom. For many of them the question was "Well, What do we do with it now?" However some years before that, Frederick Douglass dropped the "seed". "Educate the Negro, so he can fight his own fight against bondage." Among many other statements uttered by this great American... Even he had his tolerance, which lead into a string of Educated African Americans. The likes of Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois all the way to Martin Luther King Jr., and a whole host of others, a list that will filll a 100,000 blogs... I'll just say "Americans", many unsung heroes for education!

I will have to say the 19th century and early 20th century Victorian years were the straw that broke the camels back in the quest for education of the African American or any American for that matter. Looking back into that time capsule, from 2010-1910, prior to that, the "chess board" so to speak was being set up...For a race of people, a massive struggle took root that would yield an African American taking seat in the most powerful office in the land of America. Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama! Insight into the political arena. What does that say for education? Who's to argue of who is right? Booker T. Washington or W.E.B. DuBois. One an Institute, of hands on education of the application of industry. The other a College, of book education, language and mathematics. Isn't both "Education"? Come to find out both were needed equally for the out come of a technical society as it is now. For the uneducated to be able to spell the word"Institute" is to attend one... If You were to ask, did I attend college? Yes... In and out of various colleges, Institutes, and higher schools of learning, however no degree. Though I'd amount a total of 4 years. I intend on returning. However, education is not limited to the four walls of a classroom. Today one can attend classes on-line by means of computer, and accredited courses from small Institutions. "Google it"... But, who am I (?) I'm talking to my self...