Essay On African American Education
Education is the key to success. Sadly the reality is, not everyone can have access to this key. Prior to the 1950s, it was uncommon for an African American to receive an education, considering that blacks were slaves, slaves could not have an education, and not being able to have an education will affect their lives in many other aspects.
During and after the Civil War was a time when it was uncommon for colored people to have an education. “...during the Civil War...it was illegal for slaves to receive an education in any form” (Fuller). Slave’s could get an education through their owner, if they allowed them to have one. They had to live and do what white people told them to do, history would be very different if this were vice versa. “After the Civil War...blacks could get an education...the government wouldn’t build schools or hire teachers” (Fuller). Blacks can …show more content…
“The average black household income in 1955 was $2,890 just 55% of that a white household $5,228” (Fuller). It was not only income that was lower for blacks, they had a higher illiteracy rate, and well they had to deal with segregation. This shows that blacks did not have it easy at all. “The median household income for black families in 2001 was $33,600, while it was $54,000 for whites” (Fuller). It has been 50 years and whites still make far more than blacks. If we keep going at this rate it will take hundreds of years until blacks and whites are truly equal. All in all a lot has changed to make blacks/whites equal, but there is still room for change.
In short, education for blacks has changed a lot since the Civil War. African Americans did not have all the advantages white people did back in the 1950s. That really isn’t the case now, but there still is that divide if a few ways. So if we still want to make more of a change, then we should keep in mind that knowledge is
During and after the Civil War was a time when it was uncommon for colored people to have an education. “...during the Civil War...it was illegal for slaves to receive an education in any form” (Fuller). Slave’s could get an education through their owner, if they allowed them to have one. They had to live and do what white people told them to do, history would be very different if this were vice versa. “After the Civil War...blacks could get an education...the government wouldn’t build schools or hire teachers” (Fuller). Blacks can …show more content…
“The average black household income in 1955 was $2,890 just 55% of that a white household $5,228” (Fuller). It was not only income that was lower for blacks, they had a higher illiteracy rate, and well they had to deal with segregation. This shows that blacks did not have it easy at all. “The median household income for black families in 2001 was $33,600, while it was $54,000 for whites” (Fuller). It has been 50 years and whites still make far more than blacks. If we keep going at this rate it will take hundreds of years until blacks and whites are truly equal. All in all a lot has changed to make blacks/whites equal, but there is still room for change.
In short, education for blacks has changed a lot since the Civil War. African Americans did not have all the advantages white people did back in the 1950s. That really isn’t the case now, but there still is that divide if a few ways. So if we still want to make more of a change, then we should keep in mind that knowledge is