Negro Digest - Freedom Archives
Negro Digest - Freedom Archives
Negro Digest - Freedom Archives
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That something is gravely wrong with the conventional approach to<br />
the education of black children no longer is arguable. Much of the problem,<br />
of course, is general : there is something gravely wrong with American<br />
education, period . However, as always in a society which-being<br />
racist by nature-assigns opportunities and rewards according to race<br />
and color, those people suffer most who are regarded least, and those people<br />
in the American society are black people . It is a hopeful sign that some<br />
of the brightest young people who have chosen education as their profession<br />
are deeply concerned about the deficiencies of existing educational<br />
institutions, particularly as these institutions relate to black students<br />
and the communities from which the students come . These educators<br />
are no longer willing-as so many of their predecessors wereto<br />
sit back comfortably and garner laurels and enjoy status while the<br />
talent and potential of the masses of black children are criminally wasted .<br />
The idea of a Black University-an institution designed to serve the real<br />
and total needs of the black community-has taken root, and there is<br />
every reason to believe that the idea will grow and eventually take concrete<br />
shape .<br />
The special issue of NEGRO DIGEST devoted to a consideration of the<br />
concept of the Black University developed through discussions with<br />
Gerald McWorter, a recent Ph.D . graduate of the University of Chicago<br />
now an assistant professor of Sociology at Fisk University in Nashville .<br />
In his outline letter to the other contributors to this special issue of<br />
NEGRO DIGEST, Mr . McWorter said that the articles dealing with facets<br />
of the proposed Black University would concern themselves with "a<br />
vision, the articulation of an `ought' . . . for the future . . ." He made<br />
it clear that the concept of the Black University, as envisioned by himself<br />
and the editors, was concerned with the entire spectrum of social, economic,<br />
psychological and cultural imperatives which characterize, influence<br />
and control the black community .<br />
In a further clarification by the editors, the Black University concept<br />
was described as also being "concerned with the art of black people,<br />
and with the development and articulation of a black esthetic . It is concerned<br />
with the conscious strengthening of those institutions which make<br />
the black community viable, and it is dedicated to the liberation of black<br />
students (and black people generally) from the inhibiting and crippling<br />
presumptions which have been imposed upon black life and culture from<br />
outside the black community ."<br />
NEGRO DIGEST Morch 1968