The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-11-22
AN EDUCATIONAL INLOOK
AND OUTLOOK.
By H. L. KEITH.

lrlal ana EDUCATIONAL problem and
must work out a program on which to
rest all the hopes and aspirations of
the future. Every consideration of
the fact requires and rapidly chang
ing conditions demand it. These
truths are evident in Tennessee as
elsewhere.
The general education and pros
perity of the masses occupy the pub
lie mind more than anything else now.
The "-self-conscious class" has had its
day and the reign of the ~aristocracy
of learning" is ended. School systems
everywhere are seriously at work de-
veloping a new education suited for
all rather than a few. All races need
it and all races shall have it. In the
years to come the new departure in
education will prove a peculiar and
special blessing to Negroes of the
next generation.
The public, professional and busl-
ness people of the race are the ad-
vance guard of a W. Negro and a
more prosperous race. They are a
necessary addition to the life of any
race. They are the standard bearers
that must lead the race to higher
/. heights and place it on a surer road
of progress and keep it there. )
The advance guard of the race to-
day represents the dream in reality
of the founders of Fisk, Atlanta, How d
ard, Roger Williams, Wherefore, Tai I
ladega and the other great schools
that have done and are doing so much
in the develoument of the Negro. The y
future of the race depends very large
ly upon the realization of the ideals
of these people and in the light of the
past and present the best is expected.
The path of duty lies plainly before
the educated Negroes of the South,
They do not have to proceed to find
and do their duty in a zlg-zag way,
but can go straight ahead, aiming at
a particular goal marked at the end
of the way. Between these people
and victory are the masses who have
come to realize that some of the COM
forts and good things of life are in
tended for their enjoyment and that
lifel S really worth living. But they
must be shown the way. 1t must be
done by those of the race who have
had the favors heretofore or those
who have been prepared for leader
ship must pay the price that all must
forfeit who shirk duty.
Industrial and business property
certainly lie at the base of all other
progress whether of city, state or ma
ton. There can be o of 1t without
a sound, substantial and efficient work
ing class that can be relied upon as
the very backbone of a strong body 4
of citizens. 4
IL the business life Of the Negro is
to prosper, 1t must have efficient and 4
well-pald labor as a background. If 4
the professional life is to be properly
maintained and supported, it must rest
upon a substantial industrial founda- 4
ton. --- 4
From any viewpoint, the hope of the
past, present and future of the Negro '
race must always begin and end with 4
those who do the work of the world 4
and bear its burdens and do the strug-
Cling. :
The hopes of the Negro physician, Z
dentist, and druggist are conferred as 4
they ought to be in the Negro patients
who must be looked to as a field for 4
the practice OF medicine. These men 4
as a class cannot hope to md any JOY
or profit in practicIng their profess :
sions among the members of any race. =
The old guard is rapidly passing 4
await. The ranks are not being filled
us as they ought to be. The Negro =
is losing ground as a skilled laborer 4
in the fields he once controlled and
there are no great evidences of his :
making any gains in callings which he =
has not followed hitherto. He is still 4
the main source of unskilled labor
supply, but the unskilled laborer is not '
the best incorporating class Of any 4
industrial order. There must be a 4
forward march begun somewhere.
Something must be done to supply the '
increasing wants of the race. 1t mat 4
tiers not what may be said to the con-
trary Notwithstanding, there is always '
a social danger in an inefficient work 4
ing class. It matters not of what 4
a C it is a part, if it is poorly fed,
the working class is dissatisfied and '
a municipal burden. When labor is 4
u%nderpaid social problems are multi .
piled and personal and business safety
are in danger. '
It should be remembered always, 4
that the family life of the Negro peo-
pie must be kept steadily moving up :
ward in its intelligence and comforts. u
It cannot be done unless the men who
are to make the homes are able to
command good pay for the work they
find opportunity to do. Work alone
does not pay bills. Money is required
for debts and the smaller ones earn
ings the less he has to work out the
problems of home and life. The
average day laborer of the Negro race
does not earn enough to support a
family. Something or somebody
must be neglected. It may be the
wife or the proper education and care
Of the children. In either case that
means a misfortune and future shad-
ow. Money taken Tor professional
services from the man of small earn
ing capacity Is almost "blood-money
"H