FOREWORD.
“The progressive era” aims to set forth the marvelous achievements of the Negro race in the United States since its emancipation fifty years ago. Its plan is to cover the period of achievements by a series of chapters devoted to the several lines of endeavor. I want especially to commend the chapter on the Education of the Negro. Education furnishes the standard in terms of which the past progress of the race may be measured and its future progress gauged. Of the many elements which must enter into the final solution of the race problem none will be so important as that of education, whose purpose is to fit the Negro for a useful and honorable place in the complex schemes of American life.
This chapter brings together for easy reference information concerning the working of Negro institutions in better form and in fuller detail than has before been attempted in a private publication. Figures are taken from the reports of the Bureau of Education, and their accuracy is vouched for by the authority of the government. Each institution listed was visited by a special agent of the Bureau of Education and its work thoroughly examined and analyzed by educational experts. Over three hundred institutions are described, with the account of the equipment, facilities and course of instruction. There are over sixty photographs containing the fullest pictorial illustrations of Negro schools that has ever been made available in book form. This chapter involves, at once, the feature of a treatise and an encyclopedia, while gaining the general view of the education of the Negro as well. The reader may at the same time gain definite information about any particular school in any part of the country.
No one who wishes to keep abreast of the trend of educational movement of the Negro race, as well as to have at his elbow a compendium of Negro institutions, can afford to be without this work.
KELLY MILLER.
Howard University, Washington, D. C. March 12, 1917.
CONTENTS. PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE
Page The Coming Men of the Race 17 The Turning Point 29 Earning Respect for His Race 31 Increase of Opportunities 37 In the Employ of the U. S. Government 44 The Colored American in the Service of God 49 Leaders of America Whose Ears Are Close to the Ground 53 The Colored American’s Nationality 59 The Four Divisions of Mankind 64 The World’s Congress of Races 67 Progress of the Different Races of Mankind 74 Ethiopia, the Great Black Empire 83 The Genius of Colored Americans 91 Development of the Race in the U. S. 98 The Overground Railroad 108 Physical Training 115 The Four “Learned Professions” 123 The Road to Success 126 Optimism, Pessimism and Indifference 129 Pleasures of the Flesh 132 The Survival of the Fittest 136 The Victory of the Man Who Dares 140 The Wise Man’s Philosophy 149 The Key to Success 152 Opportunity for Business Life 166 Superstition and Luck 180 Progress in Education 215 Introduction by the Editor 215 History of Negro Education 217 Education as a Soldier 224 Public Provision for Negro Education 230 Schools Maintained by Private Agencies 241 Independent Schools 247 Schools Maintained by Independent Boards of Trustees 253 Colored Schools Maintained by White Church Boards 254 Colored Church Boards Maintaining Schools 300 Agencies Interested in Negro Education 313 Hospitals and Nurse Training Schools 325 The Three Important Types of Education 326 The Training of Children 335 Developing Boys and Girls 340 Developing Moral Character 344 Reverence and Respect 354 Duties of Children to Their Parents 359 The Future of the Child, the Future of the Race 364 The Way to Perfect Health 366 General Health Conditions 381 Common Sense in the Sick Room 396 Rules for Accidents and Emergencies 407
NINTH STREET BRANCH Y. M. C. A., CINCINNATI, O. ]
THE COMING MEN OF THE RACE Our Young Men Will Be Our Future Leaders
Who are to be our leaders this coming generation?
We have had brilliant and faithful leaders in the past, men who labored under adverse circumstances, but who succeeded in reducing opposition, and brought the race up to a higher standard. They were the pioneers in a great national movement. Their names are honored and will be honored as long as the race exists.
Their preliminary great work done, they passed away leaving its continuation in the hands of other noble men and women, who are still among us.
Remember, we are now in the second generation of uplift, and the mantle of the leaders of the first generation of freedom, passed to those of the second generation, has been spread over a vastly wider field, and shows room for still wider extension.
The history of man shows that in all great human movements for betterment, there have been pioneers who commenced the work, and carried it to a higher point. Then came a succeeding line of leaders who took up the work and carried it higher still.
Neither the pioneers of the Colored people of the United States, nor their successors, the present leaders, could do all or can do all that is to be done in the way of elevation or betterment, because it has grown to enormous proportions.
For this reason we must look about us and see who are to be the future leaders of the Colored Americans.
We now have able leaders, men of great character and ability, men whose loss would be keenly felt, but they know, and we know, that in the course of nature all must pass away, and we have it from their earnest utterances that their great hope is to have successors in the leadership. Many of them are ready to train others to walk in their footsteps. There are thousands of men, children in our schools, youth beginning college life, and young men who have completed their course and are ready to take up a position as commanders in the battle of life.
Here are a few of our present leaders, between whom no invidious comparisons can be made, and to whose number may be added a thousand or more working in more or less conspicuous positions to fit their people to become leaders. They are shining examples of success and merely mentioned to show your own opportunities.
Look at and study this list earnestly, it concerns you:
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