History Lesson: Mary McLeod Bethune
I am starting a new feature here that highlights important figures in history everyone should know about – even certain people working for the Trump regime.
I’m a history buff, but I don’t claim to be an expert on American history. I try to continuously educate myself on a regular basis. I read a lot of books and I try to stay on top of current issues and how they reflect our collective knowledge. However, there are aspects of basic history that everyone should know, like who were Frederick Douglass or W.E.B. DuBois.
Funny how I learned about these two leading American figures when I attended a public, inner-city elementary school – a place DeVos abhors. So I am hoping this can be a learning experience for everyone, including myself.
With that being said, I am starting with Mary McLeod Bethune, an African-American educator who led the way for other black people to have access to equal education, something Education Secretary Betsy DeVos knows nothing about. Just a few weeks ago, DeVos said that “HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choice. They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality.”
DeVos tried to backpedal when she also said at a luncheon that Mary McLeod Bethune started Bethune-Cookman University because traditional schools “systemically failed to provide African Americans access to a quality education.”
Totally clueless! It is no surprise DeVos would be booed at the school last week during its commencement.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were NOT created as a choice, but rather the only option, as African Americans were NOT allowed to attend most traditionally white schools until the end of segregation. But who cares about facts these days!
“One can not be fully free until you are educated.”
In case you are interested in facts, here is Mary Bethune’s story: