Negro Digest - Freedom Archives

38
Charlie Cobb, one of the key organizers of the
Center for Black education in Washington, D . C .,
makes it very clear that, in spirit, the Center for
Black Education is the northernmost branch of the
Malcolm X Black Liberation University in Durham,
N . C . The men and women involved in
operating the two educational units are in frequent
contact, sharing information and ideas, as well as
vision . Both schools have small, but steady and
growing, numbers of students and competent dedicated
instructors who, reversing the usual arrangement
in the educational process, contribute a portion
of their income from other sources to the running
of the universities .
On the following pages are "position papers"
clarifying the reasons for the establishment of the
Black Universities in Durham and Washington and
defining the universities' roles and relationships
with the community of which they are a part .
Since the Center for Black Education began
operations last October, some important changes
in emphasis have taken place within the curriculum
. To begin with, emphasis is placed less on
curriculum than on work areas, thus heightening
the community involvement character of the institution
. Each student must do actual field work in
whatever subject he is pursuing . Also, science and
technology are emphasized over the humanities
(Humanities have been consolidated into a required
broad political education course), mathematics
is required, and Saturday seminars focus
on nation-building .
The Center's course of study is organized into
four program areas: African World Reality ; Communicative
Skills; Culture and Consciousness ; and
Human Development.
March 1970 NEGRO DIGEST