It is dangerous to be an American Negro male. America has never wanted its Negroes to be men, and does not, generally, treat them as men. It treats them as mascots, pets, or things.
James A. BaldwinRead
The purpose of education...is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Education empowers individuals to think independently and make their own choices.
This quote by James A. Baldwin emphasizes the essential role of education in cultivating personal autonomy and critical thinking. Rather than merely absorbing information, the true purpose of education is to enable individuals to evaluate the world around them and form their own judgments, leading to stronger decision-making skills and personal growth.
Themes
EducationIndependenceDecision-MakingCritical ThinkingPersonal Growth
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech, to inspire students about the value of their educational journey.
More from James A. Baldwin
All quotes βThe white man discovered the Cross by way of the Bible, but the black man discovered the Bible by way of the Cross.
James A. BaldwinRead
Those kids aren't dumb. But the people who run these schools want to make sure they don't get smart: they are really teaching the kids to be slaves.
James A. BaldwinRead
Experience, which destroys innocence, also leads one back to it.
James A. BaldwinRead
The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important not to be black.
James A. BaldwinRead
The trick is to love somebody.... If you love one person, you see everybody else differently.
James A. BaldwinRead
Similar quotes
My undergraduates, at first, get all starry-eyed about the idea of finding their passion, but over time, they get far more excited about developing their passion and seeing it through. They come to understand that that's how they and their futures will be shaped and how they will ultimately make their contributions.
Carol S. DweckRead
The rich man, when contributing to a permanent plan for the education of the poor, ought to reflect that he is providing for that of his own descendants; and the poor man who concurs in a provision for those who are not poor that at no distant day it may be enjoyed by descendants from himself. It does not require a long life to witness these vicissitudes of fortune.
James MadisonRead
To succeed, you will soon learn, as I did, the importance of a solid foundation in the basics of education - literacy, both verbal and numerical, and communication skills.
Alan GreenspanRead
If you're curious, you'll probably be a good journalist because we follow our curiosity like cats.
Diane SawyerRead
When I teach writing, I have a mantra: 'Be a first-rate version of yourself, and not a second-rate version of another writer.'
David MorrellRead
The reactionaries are in possession of force, in not only the army and police, but in the press and the schools
John DeweyRead