Juneteenth Celebrates Freedom From Slavery. It Also Recognizes the Black Struggle for Education

Juneteenth celebrates freedom from slavery. It also recognizes the Black struggle for education

In the 15 years following the Civil War, a total of 59 HBCUs had opened their doors to Black students.

Juneteenth reminds us of Black Americans’ long struggle for education after slavery

The abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass is known for many things, but perhaps among the most significant is his views on education’s relationship to slavery. Douglass himself was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818.

Juneteenth reminds us of Black Americans’ long struggle for education following end of slavery

Enslaved people were not just enslaved physically, but mentally as well. as widespread laws in the South barred enslaved people from receiving an education.

Juneteenth is a reminder of Black Americans’ long struggle for education following end of slavery

Freedom was not just confined to physical enslavement, but mental enslavement as well, bound in the laws that barred enslaved people from receiving an education in Southern states, writes scholar Rodney Coates.