When You Control A Man's Thinking ...

The mere parting of information is not education. Above all things, the effort must result in making a man think for himself ...

No systematic effort toward change has been possible, for, taught the same economic, history, philosophy, literature and religion which have established the present code of morals, the Negro's mind has been brought under the control of his oppressor. The problem of holding the Negro down, therefore, is easily solved. When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his "proper place" and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary.

For a deeper appreciation of Dr. Woodson's insight, written in 1933, the reader I invited to read the speech by the British slave holder , Willie Lynch, from whom the term lynching was derived. It was given in 1712 to Virginia slave holders instructing them in his methods of controlling slaves.