Education

Education during the Harlem Renaissance era was revolutionary. The influx of black immigrants from the south and West Indies during the 1920's played a huge role. These immigrants viewed New York as a land of great economic opportunity. New York became extremely popular because the state prohibited separate schools for African Americans. Though schools in New York were non-segregated, there were many schools that were primarily black due to the increase of of blacks in Harlem. This increase of blacks going to school sparked discussions about the kind of education needed for African Americans. There were two men whom had opposing views on this education. Booker T. Washington wrote a doctrine of education for African Americans and W.E.B. DuBois' educational philosophy engaged controversy.

Booker T. Washington's had a philosophy about education for African Americans that primarily promoted industrial education. He was a firm believer that African Americans should be trained as farmers, mechanics or servants, who would provide essential services and produce for the white community. Washington also emphasized that African Americans would only succeed if they established an economic foundation through land ownership, industry and agriculture. He also advised African Americans to keep their homesteads in rural areas and not leave the south.

Many African Americans opposed Washington's philosophy and leadership of education.

W.E.B. DuBois was an African American teacher and scholar. He led the opposition to Washington's views. DuBois advocated the educational idea of African Americans, labeling it "The Talented Tenth." The Talented Tenth was a small number of well educated African American professionals committed to improving race relations. There were only about 10,000 members of The Talented Tenth, compared to the 10,000,000 population in the 1920's. These members included doctors, lawyers, dentists, ministers, educators and business men & women. The Talented Tenths efforts are what really jump started the New Negro Movement. They encouraged organizations such a the American Negro Academy and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). These organizations worked to reorganize the advancements of African Americans in science, literature and art.

There was also a black philosopher name Alaine Locke. He was often deemed the "father" of the Harlem Renaissance. The New Negro: An Interpretation was written by Alaine Locke in 1926. It was an anthology containing works by writers at the time. After reading this book, white critics started taking African American writing seriously and white publishers sought out black literature.

The Harlem Renaissance was an amzing period in history for the spark of education in the African American community. It encouraged educational growth and prosperity.



Works Cited:

"Harlem Renaissance." Vintage Periods. N.p. N.p. Web. 1 September 2010.

"Harlem Renaissance/The New Negro Movement and Education." John Carroll University. N.p. N.p. Web. 15 September 2010.