And It Begins....

I like to be what some would call an active reader. So as I endeavor to read these wonderful books, I'll be recording my thoughts and noteworthy quotes. I guess you could call it an analysis or a commentary. Either way, add comments as you'd like. Even if you disagree with my opinion, let me know why...healthy debate is great!


And it begins...

with The Mis~Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson.



Author's Profile:

Carter G. Woodson was a very active, ambitious, admirable man with many wonderful achievements under his belt. I would much rather my brothers emulate a man such as him than someone like "Lil Wayne" or "Fifty Cent". They would get much farther in life, and our people would get even further.

Some things about him that stuck out to me, paraphrased:

-He was a teacher and later became a principle. In 1921 he became the Dean at West Virginia State College.
-He had a thirst for knowledge
-He traveled to different places and used those experiences for the betterment of his people
-He was an author
-He founded Black History Week
-He never married a woman but said he was married to his work
-He was an initiator...he founded the Association for the study of Negro life which later became the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History
-He knew that European learning was not enough and not nearly conducive to the success of Black people


Introduction

There were some interesting facts, quotes, questions, and statistics in this section..

"The genius of Woodson is that he knew this behavior is logical. If you are educated by people, White or Black who are victims of White supremacy, you will hate yourself. You will possess a European definition of beauty, a White image of Jesus, despise Black professionals and business and go to any length to be accepted by the oppressor."

"How do we explain having in excess of two million African-Americans with college degrees, earn almost $600 billion annually, and the African American community is in shambles?"

"How can foreigners make more money in the Black community than African Americans?"

"Why do we only spend three percent of our money with African American businesses?"

"What explains less than 30 percent of African American families connected to cyberspace in contrast to almost 70 percent of White families including poor Whites in trailer homes?"

"How can African American families own big screen televisions, but no computers?"

"Can you imagine people who built the first civilization and the architects of math, science, philosophy, medicine, religion, and the arts associate academic success with their oppressor?"

"White supremacy can be destroyed with Africentricity"

"Self-hatred can be destroyed with self-love"

"African people must immerse themselves in their history and culture"

"Did we honestly believe that an oppressive school system would transmit the skills to become a doctor, while simultaneously teaching Imhotep was the first?"

"Read this book, free your mind, build institutions, and save your people"