A Must Read!!!!!! October 2, 2007 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is such an eye-opening piece of work. I believe that people of all races can be motivated by this book.
Repeating what has been said before, this is a Must Read for All Black Americans September 16, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Although copyright for this title is dated 1933, I found that the vast majority of the information therein, pertinent, applicable, and relative to our situation today. This book-as it has been said before-should be required reading for all Black Americans.
The analysis put forth by Dr. Carter G. Woodson on subjects like commerce, religion, and the value of an uncompromising education within our community, are profound.
70 years since its publication it is still relevent July 15, 2007 6 out of 7 found this review helpful
_The Mis-Education of the Negro_ was first published when jim crow was the law of the land and our schools and military were segregated. Seventy years later institutionalized racism is gone, but African-Americans are still in many respects second-class citizens. Why this is so is scathingly shown in Woodson's classic book.
No one is without blame - white or black - in this mis-education, Woodson argues. The public school system largely run by whites does little to celebrate or recognize African-American achievments, essentially teaching young African-Americans that they have little to contribute. Even those white teachers who genuinely mean well and want to help African-Americans do a disservice to the Black community by not being culturally competent, essentially attempting to teach African-American students to "fit in" to white society. African-Americans who have become successes in business do not hire other African-Americans continuing to relegate them to lower social status. Even African-American churches do not escape Woodson's criticism, as he claims that they do little to celebrate or recognize the uniqueness and rich cultural heritage of Americans of African descent. Woodson believes this scandalous state of affairs continues to prevent African-Americans from realizing the "American dream." Only by recognizing the uniqueness of Black culture and encouraging the African-American community to support itself (rather than tear itself apart) will real social and economic change begin. This, of course, must first start with education.
Certainly many things have changed since this book was first put into print, due in part to the efforts of people like Woodson (the individual responsible for first, Black History week, then Black History month). Yet clearly there is much left to be done. As Cornel West wrote, "Race Matters." Yes, it does - Woodson saw this over two generations ago and began to do something about it. One can only hope more Americans - black and white - will read this landmark book and begin to act accordingly.
Ecellent June 8, 2007 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I read Carter G Woodson's land mark book for the first time when I was in Jr high school and I thought he was anti social towords African Americans, I read it again for the second time when I was in my twenties and I got angry. Now that I'm in my forties I cannot belive how profound this book really is. A MUST READ FOR ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS
Tru dat then! Tru dat now! February 28, 2007 5 out of 9 found this review helpful
Y'all remember that this educated group generally hate black American dialect. They are the first to put it down. Tru dat?
I love this book. I think it is a must read for all those of African descent. He tells the truth about the educated class of blacks. However, he seems to fighting some feelings of elitism and imitating white culture himself.
For example, he complains that when blacks become educated according to white society, they abandon their native church or they join or create more refined (white like) churches among themselves. They no longer feel comfortable in such a spirited environment. Yet he criticizes the black masses for "gettin the spirit and hollering and screaming." Then he uses as an example that the Anglican Africans in the islands, who have a white washed type of services, are quiet, sombre and dignified. In essence, they have lost their Africaness and act like a boring white congregation. They have imitating their masters perfectly.
This book speaks so true. I find the so called educated black person to be horribly ignorant and small minded.
This is my only pet peeve. He on several occasions contradicts himself. However, this book is still a must read.
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