"When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his "proper place" and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary. The same educational process which inspires and stimulates the oppressor with the thought that he is everything and has accomplished everything worth while, depresses and crushes at the same time the spark of genius in the Negro by making him feel that his race does not amount to much and never will measure up to the standards of other peoples. The Negro thus educated is a hopeless liability of the race."
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Journalists from the United StatesHistorians from the United StatesAfrican AmericansPeople from Virginia
Original Language: English
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Carter G. Woodson
Carter Godwin Woodson (19 December 1875 – 3 April 1950) was an African American professor, historian, author, and journalist. In February 1926, he launched the celebration of "Negro History Week," the precursor of Black History Month.
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