Education Makes the Difference [A published essay by Jeb Bush, Feb. 2002]

Daytona Beach News Journal, via www.myflorida.com ^ | Feb. 10, 2002 | Jeb Bush

[gatorman]

Frumious Bandersnatch - you are right that there was not an "official" policy of keeping blacks ignorant. However if you follow the link below it states that only 10% of the slaves were literate . . . now it is that 10% literacy rate is what Jeb Bush was addressing.

Literacy Revisited: http://www.edweek.org/ew/newstory.cfm?slug=22tl.h21

. . . The popular conception, even among historians, is that literacy rates in the Southern states were generally very low. Actually, some 80 percent of whites and free blacks, as well as 10 percent or more of slaves, could read, said Beth Barton Schweiger, a professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

"It is counterintuitive," particularly when you consider the lack of formal schooling throughout many parts of the South, Ms. Schweiger said. "The literacy rates were rather high, especially among slaves, especially since society was doing all it could to prevent slaves from becoming literate." . . .

FRegards . . .

 

[summer]

Re your post #18 -- I think you are really wrong here.

From The Bible and Slavery:

"Although [slaves were] generally prohibited from learning to read and write, and in some states prohibited by law from reading the Bible, slaves heard and interpreted the Scriptures in an immediate, historical and spiritual sense. "

So, I guess Gov. Bush knows more than you think he knows.

[summer]

gatorman, in your post I think you make a point the other poster is ignoring:

"..society was doing all it could to prevent slaves from becoming literate." . . .

[summer]

Thanks, mafree! :)

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Oh, I'll grant you that. Its just that the particular paragraph I mentioned implied that no blacks, slave or free were allowed an education or better themselves.  That's what got my goat.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Not so.  The article makes no differentiation between free and slave (although you do make that distinction).  There were slaves who could read and write (Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were notable amongst slave holders for encouraging education within the slave community).  I'm not saying that it was a high figure, because it wasn't.  It has been stated here in this thread that the number was around 10% and I see no reason to dispute that figure.

The problem I had was that the paragraph I quoted was misleading and far too broad in the brush strokes it painted.  At the worse, only slaves were affected, which meant that many many free blacks were not.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

I'm not ignoring that fact at all.  However, Reread the paragraph I'm talking about.  It is implying all blacks whether they are free or not.  Also, you ignore gatorman's post indicating that a surprisingly high percentage of slaves were literate.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Gov. Bush is right. Generations were punished for attempting to learn to read and write. He doesn't say all, but it was very common and well documented that white people in towns across the south didn't want blacks educated. Heck, the men often didn't want their women educated and getting above their station.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Hi, summer. I hope that Jeb talks to the students about our fabulous first president next week. Happy early birthday, George Washington -who not only educated his slaves, but gave them their own property to manage, taught them trades, did all he could to give them a fighting chance to survive with their families intact and free upon his wife's death.

Oh, and there was his incredible character, courage in battle, humility and faith. (^:

[dalebert]

This is great. Thanks.

[summer]

RE your post #27 - no, I did acknowledge gatorman's post. See my post #23. Also, I think your use of the word "moron" to describe the level of Gov. Bush's intelligence is a bit off-base, to say the least.

[summer]

dalebert, Glad you enjoyed this essay. And, thanks so much for the bump. I really appreciate it :)

[summer]

Hi, summer. I hope that Jeb talks to the students about our fabulous first president next week. Happy early birthday, George Washington -who not only educated his slaves, but gave them their own property to manage, taught them trades, did all he could to give them a fighting chance to survive with their families intact and free upon his wife's death.

Oh, and there was his incredible character, courage in battle, humility and faith. (^:

BTTT to your thoughts above.

Thanks for your posts on this thread, RC. Great, informative posts, as usual! :)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Glad to be a teeny part in your worthy campaign, summer. A fine job you're doing here. (^:

[summer]

RC, you and others ARE the campaign! I am merely facilitating. But, thank you. :)

[kinganamort]

bump

[summer]

Thanks, kinganamort. :)

[floriduh voter]

I have been challenged recently that Jeb wasn't a real teacher. What's up with that? It was my belief that he taught at a university English/Spanish. The libs don't like to hear that Jeb was a teacher. Do you have any details? Glad that you found this essay. I see it was printed in Daytona. I have a feeling that Jeb will be at the Daytona 500 tomorrow since his family knows the Earnhardt family and I'm sure they will be honoring Dale Earnhardt tomorrow since it's the anniversary of his life ending crash.

[summer]

Tell them to read the official bio on the state web site of FL First lady Columba Bush, as she clearly states she met Gov. Bush while "he was teaching" (and I think he was teaching English, BTW, to people who did not speak English) on an exchange program with his school. Here is the link with that text about him teaching, from her bio:

Official Bio of FL First Lady Columba Bush [Jeb was teaching when they met]

[summer]

LOL....and, I am sure you are right about that -- they hate hearing he ever taught anything! :)