With very few physical-financial resources, she and her teachers challenged them, inspired them, prayed for them, didn't take any s*** from them, insisted that they dress right, walk right, talk right, fear God and respect themselves and each other. She demanded the best from them, and, by God, they gave it.
It's the most bracing, cheering in the world to see that happen. The black educator --- Mother Kennedy style --- was like the Glory of God on earth.
The black educators of the old days followed the advice of Booker T Washington, who preached education and upward mobility through business and property ownership.
He believed if blacks become prosperous in business, white society would be more accepting of them as the black middle class grew.
Unfortunately, he died at age 56 or so and no one took up his cause with the same vigor and enthusiasm.
W.E.B. DuBois and the northern whites backing him were successful in portraying the NAACP as the voice of the Negroes.
It has been a slow downhill slide that has now become a headlong rush to a dead end.
I wonder how he would feel if DuBois could see the outcome of his efforts.