Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-03-06
PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR THE
COIOIsIGD PEOPLE AT
LYNCHBUTG,

In my recent article concerning the
local schools my thoughts were par,i
cularly guided by the facts concern
Ing the conditions at the Payne Build
ing, where to enter as q colored col
lCge graduate means a complete drop
ping from the Educational horizon so
far us the LynchburE Colorcd Schools
arc concerned.
1t is not SO much my desire to pass
upon the quality of the teachers en-
ploycd i'll the system rs to pass upon
the system itself which IS to be consid
cred.
y. goodly number OF colored pcopIc
who think upon civic matters wonder
why white person has to act IN the
capacity OF. principal In the graded
schools FOR colored people. 1t Is II
Known fact that the white principals
used i'll said schools show no moro
capabilities than SO many of our race
found i'll this community
Regarding the would be high school
for our people In this city one only
has TO view the four room and the eX
ira closet make shit OF 4 room III an
antiQuated structure on Jackson ST.,
and make a compar ison OF curriculum
and building with lne ono OH PARK
Avenue for the whites OF this city and
draw conclusions.
The system has seen fit at this tine
to offer tho pupils an extra year oi
training which Is intended to convey
the idea OF u regular four year high
school course and this has been done
by stretching out the former three
year course over Il period Of -FOUR
years. No effort is made to teach tho
following high school subjects, book
keeping. French or Spanish, Chemis-
try, English History, CiVics ana
Psychology. No laboratory facilities
or equipment. Just imagine high
school course with tho principal sub
tecls dropped from the Scufl3culuh
On account OF the hugh school failing
to be what 1t should represent II
graduate from it is accredited with
only. two years OF work, wherein
they think they are completing n
four year course, thereby wasting
two years in Il misguided way. 10 ac-
cept Of teachers with no more train
ing than this is a gross injustice to
the coored citizens 1t was the thing
of tho past, but we are asking for
things IN keeping with tho times.
Tho Board OF Education OF this
city is Il fair minded group OF South
crn gentlemen and IL the question Of
the condition OF the colored schools
was brought to their minds, l am sure
conditions would be improved, but it
appears that matters concerning the
colored schools arc discretionary with
tho superintendent who has served
GOD, we'll SO many years.
Manual Training has been dropped
from the colored schools at this VIII
ing Notwithstanding there are Il
number of available colored teachers
capable OF teaching that work.
| have learned that the graduates
II ON the Virginia institutions were
more acceptable than those with Grade
l training. Is this due to the fact that
the State fail to give its ocl
.ored citizens al education on
Pa par with that offered its other
citizens and in lieu Of said education
places tho seal OF approval on those
who are educated after the plan OF
the state for its colored citizens, there
by dlscounting the value Of the col.
ored teacher trained at a Grade / IN
stitution?
Apropos the question of knuckling
which seems to burden the minds OF
some OF the brilliant teachers I shall
leave for the public's consideration.
The specific cases of awarding post
tons on account OF influences work
Ing in behalf. OF their proteges in
stead OF consideration OF qualifica-
tons Of the applicants has been prev
alent for n great length Of time in
this community, ...'
One is compelled to wonder why q
teacher of efficiency should pay tri-
butte to her principal bv the presenta-
ton OF gifts, and other valuables too
humorous to mention. Efficiency is
its own reward and 1t should feel sc
cure in the maintenance Of her posi-
ton by sheer merit and the support
OF the community. The bearing OF
gifts breaks down the morale OF any
system and we have found out that
the most liberal donors were the least
efficient.
We would like to know II certain
white principal has ever taken the
time to place before the eager young
Of my race the fact OF the glories and
achievements OF some Of our races
celebrities, Toussnint 7, Overture,
Pushlsin, Dumas. Phyllis Whcatloy,
Benjamin Banneker, Dubois Kelly
Miller and many other1. Fmnhati"al
ly, no. but she has greeted 4 IN" class
OF children with this question. "H0w
many OF you slept with your stock
ines on, and your head under the Gov
or" and other such nonsense which
could easily be supplanted hv other
enlightcning and helpful training.
For the children who pass from
the control Of the white principal in
the graded schools into the control Of
the white principal and her assistants
all white in the high school serves to
keep fresh in the minds OF the color
cd youth the idea Of racial backward
meas and unless the youth is the OK.