The Talented
Tenth Predicament
"The tenth man, with superior natural
endowments, symmetrically trained and highly developed, may become a mightier
influence, a greater inspiration to others than all the other nine, or nine
times nine like them.”
- Henry
Lyman Morehouse
We are all
familiar with the “Talented Tenth”, a term that describes the top ten percent
of the Black population, men more specifically. These were the Black men who,
after slavery, were going to spearhead an educational movement. These men were
going to help propel the Black race beyond the mental shackles of slavery, and create
sustainable communities, all by acquiring formal education. The men of the
Talented Tenth were supposed to be the leaders, organize the other 90%, and use
all of our mental and financial resources to create a foundation for the
future. What happened? Where did the disconnect occur?
Booker T.
Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Two men, two different philosophies, one
mission. Du Bois was under the premise that formal education would push the
Negro forward, while Washington was of the mindset that trades and skills would
be necessary to sustain communities. Instead of the two men working together,
there was a rumored war of ideals. Which leads us to 2018.
I spoke with
an old high school friend the other day, in reference to creating alternative
programs for children and parents of color, which focused on the
underrepresentation of Black men in certain trades. We discussed the constant
push for children to go to college, while there are “others” who create
environments conducive to skills and trades, as well as college, for their
children. Having said that, many Black parents push their children to college,
under the assumption that without a degree, the child has very limited options
(a fry cook, if you will). We are the products of Du Bois and Washington’s
alleged feud, where the Talented Tenth is perceived as “bougie” and unable to
relate to the other ninety percent. We are the products of an alleged feud that
seeks to put classes within the Black Community, dividing us into the Have Nots
and the Have Nots. We are unable to support the black plumber, the black
lawyer, or the black doctor, due to the rift that was designed to divide and
conquer us for years. It has trickled down through the generations, where we
are unable to fully relate to one another, and combine our skills and talents
to create viable businesses within our communities.
What does
this have to do with education? Simply put, stop forcing our children into
college. Don’t get me wrong, I am an advocate of formal education. I loved my
collegiate experience and am happy to use my degrees to create a life for my daughter
and me, as well as create change within my community. However, college ain’t
for everybody. Pay attention to the trends in education, and what demographics
are heavily influenced by said changes. There are limited schools in Baltimore
City that focus on welding, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and the like. There is
no push for young black men to learn how to lay pipe, yet there is a huge
construction boom in the city. How can a city that is developing real estate at
exponential rates not prepare the youth for the current and future job market? With career fields marred by historical racism, it is a wonder that Black
educators are simply not taking the school system to task. Every little boy
does not have the intelligence to be a medical doctor. Before you jump on me,
think about that statement, and make it personal. Do YOU have the intelligence
to be a medical doctor? I sure don’t. Our very offense by that statement is
marked by years of being force fed the myth of intellectual inferiority, to the
point we push our children to excel within the Du Bois Box, rather than
flourish in the freedom Washington provides.
That little
boy in class who loves the block center, encourage that love, by showing him how
mathematics and reading are necessary to be a carpenter. I bet he’ll pay
attention to that horrible, cookie-cutter lesson, and have less behavior
problems. That little girl who redecorates the housekeeping area every single
day? Why not teach her the skills of sewing and spatial concepts, and using
them to be an interior designer or fashion designer? All areas where Black
people are still being marginalized and unwanted. College is beautiful, but it
forces our children to live within the constraints of a certain type of intelligence,
although research shows us otherwise. We are forcing our children to compete
within the Talented Tenth, leaving the other 90% of us to fight for limited
resources, with limited opportunities, with an abundance of untapped gifts and
talents. So, the next time Little Daquan needs to learn measurements, but
rather play with blocks, tap into that gift. Our future depends on it.
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