Higher Education for Cultural Liberation

In his thoughtful and often insightful address, Dr. Stewart presents a number of basic assumptions about education, race, and class as the elements of a new calculus for the 21st century. Dr. Stewart's assertion throughout his discourse that education is the means for developing strong African American communities and individuals is undeniable. His insistence upon high standards and high expectations for our students is commendable and is strongly supported by this speaker. There are key areas, however, on which he and I appear to differ on some of the basic assumptions and on the appropriate direction of higher education for African Americans. The assertion that education is the basic solution to the needs of African Americans is at the same time both undeniable and ambiguous. Education is a two-edged sword. It is the most powerful social force in the history of humankind. It may be used to empower or to enslave, to enlighten or to mystify, to clarify or to confuse, to ennoble or to dehumanize, but education is never neutral. Historically, education has most often been used as a socializing process to secure the rights and privileges of those in control, while at the same time limiting the opportunities and life chances for those viewed as inferior and unworthy. Education, thusly employed, becomes a force of domination and oppression. By means of

Liberation · Political science · Sociology · Chemistry · Education Systems and Policy · Psychology