The Mis-Education Of Blacks In Politics

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The Mis-Education Of Blacks In Politics
By Anthony Stewart

"...they (certain Whites) didn't want "peaceful relations" disturbed by the teaching of a new political thought...." Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro"

Dr. Carter G. Woodson believed that if you wanted to create a good "citizen", one dedicated to the growth and success of this country, then you must create in that person an allegiance to this country. That allegiance is developed through a proper education of the content of The Constitution. And, it is developed through engaging in the use of the political process while actually seeing that process work to change the lives of those he/she interacts with. Certain Whites on the other hand, believed that if Blacks had a functional understanding of the Constitution then they would demand social justice and would be willing to fight and die for it as they had done. This of course would have disrupted the "peaceful relations" Whites had already established with Blacks since emancipation. Therefore, following emancipation, the opponents of social justice began teach History through the perspective of Black inferiority. "If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status fore he will seek it himself."

Blacks in America had their view of the Constitution and the rights offered therein shaped through intimidation and Mis-education to the point where they believed that affairs of the government really did not concern them. As long as they were able to acquire the bare necessities in life, they were somewhat satisfied. They had to be, fore in their thinking there was no workable solution other than an all out war with the majority who seemed to control everything. Acceptance of social injustice became suitable to death.

As a people today in 2008, our view of the political process has been at best a choice between the lesser of evils during each Presidential Election. Black participation in the process has been very limited in overall numbers. And, we are distrustful of the process because it never seems to benefit us in our daily lives. So, the political process is reduced to an entertainment spectacle or something to talk about to pass the time of day. Enter Senator Barack Obama, a Black man who for the first time in the history of America seems to have a Real chance at winning the Presidency. On the fact alone that he is Black, he will get a great many African-Americans to support him. But, the full voting power of the masses of Blacks will not be realized because of our poor experience with government and our Mis-Education within politics in general. We need to re-read the Constitution, and find ways to teach it in a way that inspires us to unify affectively behind our leaders. If Barack Obama is to be the next President on the backs of our vote then we must be able to give him the full benefit of our numbers and our properly educated allegiance.