Carter G Woodson Creator of: THE MIS-EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO Date: February 1st 2007

Product Description: 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. 'History shows that it does not matter who is in power…those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning.' -Dr. Carter G. Woodson Knowledge Insights: Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, distinguished Black author, editor, publisher, and historian was born on December 19, 1875, and joined the ancestors on April 3, 1950. Known as the 'Father of Black History,' Carter G. Woodson holds an outstanding position in early 20th century American history. Carter G. Woodson was born in New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia, to former slaves Anne Eliza (Riddle) and James Henry Woodson. Although his parents could neither read nor write, Carter G. Woodson credits his father for influencing the course of his life. Carter G. Woodson believed that Blacks should know their past in order to participate intelligently in the affairs in our country. He strongly believed that Black history - which others have tried so diligently to erase - is a firm foundation for young Black Americans to build on in order to become productive citizens of our society. In 1915 he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History to encourage scholars to engage in the intensive study of the past as it related to Africans and their descendants through the world. Prior to this work, the field had been largely neglected or distorted in the hands of historians who accepted the traditionally biased picture of blacks in American and world affairs. In 1916 Woodson edited the first issue of the association's principal scholarly publication, The Journal of Negro History, which, under his direction, remained an important historical periodical for more than 30 years. In 1926, Woodson single-handedly pioneered the celebration of 'Negro History Week', the second week in February, which has since been extended to the entire month of February. Because of Woodson's belief in self-reliance and racial respect, it is only natural that the paths of Dr. Woodson and the Hon. Marcus Garvey would cross; their views were very similar. Woodson became a regular columnist for Garvey's weekly Negro World. Knowledge Staff Review: Carter G. Woodson, who is most noted for founding Black History month outlines in detail the trouble with the education which Black Africans have received in America and throughout the Diaspora in his classic, The Mis-education of the Negro. Written in the 1930's, The Mis-education of the Negro rings bells of truth even today. Through a series of anecdotes Woodson exposes the consequences of obtaining an education which is under outside control. Where Negro graduates are still considered inferior and their only purpose of learning is to carry out the orders of the superior. The author stresses that education is not just the passing of information from one individual to another 'real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better,' writes Woodson. Woodson also tackles the subject of the educated Negro's failure to return to, and help build his community. With extreme clarity Woodson magnifies the need for servants within the community as opposed to leadership. He compares leaders to the hand picked chieftains of slave owners in the past. 'These supervisors of the conduct of Negroes would prevent them from learning the truth which might make them unruly or ambitious to become free,' says Woodson. Woodson's purpose for writing this book was the freedom and development of the Black community. He indicates that the education Blacks were receiving during the 1930's was designed to keep Blacks in a position, which would never allow them to become real contributors to the country or even to themselves. 'When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him 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.' Woodson's work is in-depth and challenging. It denotes the reality of a people learning how to destroy each other, while their oppressor looks on with satisfaction.

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