Reader Response 9

Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 - Goldstein

Reader Response 9

• Watch: http://www.biography.com/people/web-du-bois-9279924
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Watch: http://www.biography.com/people/booker-t-washington-9524663 
• Read: http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/charlotte.html
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Read: http://blackhistorynow.com/anna-julia-cooper/
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Respond to two using information from the videos/texts and cited references from The Teacher Wars and post on the Discussion Board 
• Submit a summary of this week’s chapters with page references

I chose to respond to the readings of Charlotte Forten and Anna Julia Cooper because I had not previously heard of them. They sounded like ambitious female teachers and this aspect interested me. I had previously researched W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington, so I wanted to complete my Biography Report Form on individuals I was not familiar with. Both of these ladies sacrificed various lifestyles to be able to teach. Educating youth is not “babysitting” but involves a whole bodied approach. Although I ultimately chose these two females to research, I enjoyed the Booker T. Washington & W.E.B. Du Bois videos. 

Please see the below images of the Biography Report Forms pertaining to Charlotte Forten & Anna Julia Cooper.

Charlotte Forten

Anna Julia Cooper

Summary

┄ Chapter Two ┄

“Repressed Indignation”

THE FEMINIST CHALLENGE TO AMERICAN EDUCATION

Susan B. Anthony

This section of the book was very interesting to me. I knew that Susan B. Anthony was famous for help in women’s suffrage but I did not know that she was such an eccentric and stylish individual. To say she was outspoken would be an understatement. I know this is off topic, but a personal connection I made with this would be a lyric from a new country song. Lauren Alaina’s “Road Less Traveled” includes lyrics that state, “You won’t make yourself a name if you follow the rules, History gets mad when you’re acting a fool.” While this catchy phrase from a hit country song does not give justice to fellow women who made substantial differences in America, it does show that to make progress, one has to defy the odds and act out of the “norm” in order for change to happen. I found it interesting that Susan B. Anthony splurged on outlandish clothes and scoffed at women who only held house jobs. It seemed sad that a wonderful teacher lost interest due to poor working conditions and unequal rights. She did the right thing by standing up for herself and others at that convention so long ago (Goldstein, 2014, p. 36). 

Higher Institutions

Various schools would open to help prepare teacher candidates and many discussions took place over the reasoning behind them. The focus shifted from uncaring male teachers to undereducated female teachers (Goldstein, 2014, p. 44).

┄ Chapter Three ┄

“No Shirking, No Skulking”

BLACK TEACHERS AND RACIAL UPLIFT AFTER THE CIVIL WAR

Port Royal Experiment - Charlotte Forten

The Sea Islands turned into an experiment that did not prevail successful results. Edward Pierce spoke highly of the people present in this area; however, the results did not yield as expected. The Port Royal Experiment recruited teachers such as Charlotte Forten who volunteered to come to the south. The book discussed Forten’s upbringing and background. She was so excited and anxious about starting her teaching experience with these new free African Americans. However, the reality was harsh and ability levels were so varied that learning was not abundant (Goldstein, 2014, p. 47-51). 

Wilson County – W.E.B. Du Bois

The book also discussed two very influential individuals such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Although their viewpoints greatly differed, they both wanted African Americans to have more established roles in society. The Wilson County teaching experience was one that I was not aware of before reading this section. Du Bois taught this impoverished area and made connections with many pupils. However diligent those students might have been, their probabilities in life narrowly limited their chances for further success (Goldstein, 2014, p. 52-55). 

Public Schools – Anna Julia Cooper

Funding was a major issue in black public schools in America. Anna Julia Cooper was born a slave and ended up becoming a principal at a prestigious black high school. Although ridicule followed throughout her lifetime, she had a major influence over her students and school. She went on to earn her doctorate (Goldstein, 2014, p. 59- 65). 

References:

Goldstein, D. (2014). The teacher wars: a history of American's most embattled profession. New York: Doubleday