[Peace-discuss] Re: [Peace] CNN Coverage on Being Black in America

[John W.]

On Sat, Jul 26, 2008 at 2:38 AM, Amy Clay <amyr.clay at gmail.com> wrote:

You might also consider how "irrelevant" (and I'm definitely using that word
> with a grain of salt because i don't think it's all irrelevant)  much of a
> liberal arts education could be to Black Americans. Much of what we learn in
> our liberal arts educations are the histories, geographies, governments,
> languages, philosophies and literatures of the Anglo culture. As White
> Americans, we can see ourselves and our values in the books we read and the
> lessons that we are taught in schools from age 6. Except for the token
> "sections" of courses or books on syllabi, I wasn't really exposed to much
> in the way of African American culture or orientation (outside of February!)
> until I went to college, where I pursued those courses by choice. There is a
> whole school of thought (see Maulana Karenga) that suggests that a
> distinctively African American orientation exists in nearly every major
> field of study (as least within the Liberal Arts). That even the methods of
> teaching and learning in our school systems are anglo-centric.
>
> If the reason we pursue an education (aside from a vocational interest) is
> empowerment, then how does learning about white history, culture,
> philosophy, etc, from a white point of view, in what is an inherently racist
> school system (not that everyone involved is racist, per se, but that
> institutional racism exists), empower black youth in America. When I was
> little, I got excited by Amelia Earhart, Madame Curie, Harper Lee, Laura
> Ingalls Wilder and Louisa May Alcott, for instance. These women helped me to
> believe that I could do anything. I saw myself in my education. I even got
> excited by Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln (especially Abraham
> Lincoln!). I saw myself in them to an extent as well. Who are we teaching to
> young black students that might excite them? Really? Why take an interest in
> a world that has dispossessed you?
>
> I'm interested to check out the CNN clips when I get home from work. I'm
> not sure what I'm saying is even related, but...when we're talking about
> education. We do have to think about whose education it is and why it
> empowers us. It's not simply that knowledge is power. It's knowledge that we
> can be agents in our own worlds that empowers.
>
> Just something to think about.
>
> Peace,
> Amy
>

Most definitely something to think about.  Your excellent commentary
couldn't be more related to both race and education, Amy.

>
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