"The Mis-Education of the Negro" by Carter G. Woodson is a landmark book in African American literature that was first published in 1933. In the book, Woodson argues that the education of African Americans in the United States is fundamentally flawed, and that it is designed to perpetuate a system of oppression and control.
Woodson contends that the education system in America at the time was designed to teach African Americans how to be subservient to white people and how to accept their inferior position in society. He argues that this type of education was not only damaging to the African American community, but also to society as a whole.
Woodson goes on to argue that African Americans need to take control of their own education and learn about their own history and culture, rather than relying on a system that has been designed to exclude and marginalise them. He also calls for a more practical education that emphasises skills that will help African Americans succeed in the world, such as entrepreneurship, business, and agriculture.
Here is a famous quote from the book
"When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."
"The Mis-Education of the Negro" is a powerful critique of the education system in America, and its impact on the African American community. It remains a relevant and important work of literature today, and continues to inspire scholars and activists to challenge the status quo and fight for a more just and equitable society.
