Thomas Holt's "Knowledge is Power"
Post Civil War (1865)
Education in the North
Black Convention seeks access to education so they can rise in society 
Re and Post-reconstruction
Passed a resolution on education where they are asking for access and iterate that they are willing to contribute "we will insist upon the establishment of good schools for the thorough education of our children throughout the state" (2)
Summary of Reconstruction: Black former slaves fully intended to educate themselves and fight for what they wanted. "They put their money, blood, sweat, and tears into those efforts"(5). Black people did not rely on anyone but themselves in order to gain the education they deserved and risked their lives. The government did not want to support their efforts. Reconstruction started by 1868(6). Blacks were starting to vote and access to a free education was being implemented.
Wanted to be treated with "equity and justice" but this required universal education for all, regardless of color. Only white males were allowed access to education at the time. Education was a privilege.
Purpose:
Black people knew that if they fought for an education, they could finally be freed from oppression and overcome the white people who longed to keep black people enslaved.
Connections: Today, black and POC are still facing discrimination against the systemic racist that has been implemented in the US for years. There are many activists like Holt who are addressing these invisible issues that some people do not see or choose to ignore. Holt's argument has been heard by many and people are fighting to educate and fight the unfair system .
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Education in the African Culture aims to find ones place in society: "its goal is social, as well as personal, improvement to uplift the people, to make conditions better" (3).
"Education Will Force Open the Door of Hope behind Which is Success" Grossman 250
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Advocated for themselves to get a better education. However, they were still looked down on. "They don't try hard enough; they don't make sacrifices." Historians like Holt understand that the problem is the oppression upon the blacks, however, they don't know how to solve it. Despite constantly getting pushed down, the black communities understand that "literacy is one of the keys that will unlock the door," so they continue to educate themselves.
Some slaves were educated in skills their white owners deemed relevant. They took this information and shared it with others. They were able to educate themselves despite obstacles and spread the idea that knowledge is power.
Summary of Post: As black empowerment was developing and supported souther public school system, it was all brought down in 1875 (7). White power was rising again and as a result, there was a rise in poor education, especially towards black people. "Once again, blacks turned to self-help" (7). This concerned white people because they didn't know " ' who is going to take his place?' "(7). Black people fought for their education once more and started building campaigns which would address the social issues that they faced.
SELF HELP - nothing was given to the Black community so they took it upon themselves to educate others. They were willing to pay and work for a legitimate education, "Other resolutions passed by the South Carolinians emphasized that they expected no special treatment but were prepared to help themselves" (2)
Issue: Although blacks were given education, they were not accepted within the white communities.
Solution: Historians and advocates didn't have direct answers, however, their oppression seems to die down the more they persist
Slaves are declared free but were denied basic human rights, like access to education
Real World connection: This type of discrimination is seen throughout both gender and race today. We still believe in certain race and gender stereotypes. As shown in the Last Week Tonight video, doctors, who are highly praised, still treat patients differently just by the color of their skin or their gender. For example, 25% of doctors believe that darker colored people have thicker skin than lighter colored people. Whether we are aware of it or not, systemic racism is still present in our society.
CONNECTION: Today, healthcare is denied to people of color, or they are treated differently because of the color of their skin. Doctors are biased and give in to the systemic racism.