The white people in America enslaved Africans for a very long time. Lack of knowledge was the cause of this. The story of Douglass Fredrick, however, demonstrates that he was able to achieve independence after fighting for years to get an education. He therefore took the opportunity to free additional captives. The incidents fundamentally altered how people think about schooling. There is a firmly held belief in American culture that one is only capable of overcoming obstacles and defeating enemies. Three people have come to represent this concept, and they all cite education as one of the essential tools for achieving freedom and self-empowerment. Different writers have used these thoughts. This paper will discuss the thoughts of Frederick Douglas, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Paine. All these writers hold an idea that education leads to empowerments. The idea seems similar though held in varied practices. Franklin considers education as a tool used for personal success. Under different circumstances, Paine demand education for the people as it is the one which liberates people from the oppressors in the monarch systems of government through the provision of weapon to combat tyranny. Douglass who was able to attain his freedom from slavery through education attributes his success to learning which made him realize his dignity (Fenton 131). The key purpose of the paper is to explore the common elements of education as shown by these thinkers while also indicating differences between their respective views. The paper will first show how each thinker/writer thought on the purpose and benefit of education and gave a historical context of their thinking. The paper will further explore the foundation that joins the ideas and reasons as to why they differ.
Frederick Douglass also has his narration on the education. He pictures education as the factor of empowerment and success. Coming from a varied situation from Paine or Franklin, his slavery life shapes the view of Douglass on education. For him, education was liberation. Knowledge and education were the food for the mind, and lack of it would starve the man and subject him to a state of submissive. In his narration, he states that he viewed education as a pathway which would deliver him from slavery to freedom. While this is close to the understanding of Paine on education, what distinguishes them is that rather than achieving liberty through education as Paine said, Douglass viewed liberation in education. Douglass viewed slavery as a dehumanizing act which eliminated the power of man to choose and made citizens think that they are not capable of conducting certain activities. As postulated by Douglass, slavery was not achieved through mental bidding and not physical. In his view, only education can liberate(Fenton 133). It reminds him of his humanity, return the power of reason and enlighten his mental and moral vision.
Douglass held education in the highest sense since it enabled him to overcome the slavery. After being successful, he was able to see the power and worth of education. As a slave Douglass was not able to acquire education until his early years where he had to struggle so that he can gain little education form poor children of white. The society which he was staying with adopted ignorance as a way of subjugates. When he began to acquire education, one of his masters was opposed to his study. He stated that if Douglass would know how to read, it will be hard to keep him since he will be not fit to be a slave anymore. He continued to clarify that he would turn to be unmanageable and be of no value to his masters. This showed that the life of ignorance which most Africans were subjected on those years disallowed them to get an opportunity. After Douglass acquired education and realized that it was getting him closer to freedom, he developed a strong desire of saving education nature(Fenton 135). His view of education as a liberator is based on the fact that it gave him freedom.
Throughout the entire narrative of Fredrick Douglass, there is a clear manifestation that education is important. Towards the beginning of the narrative, Douglass narrates himself as a person who was eager to learn, and when his master could not let him, it’s increased his desire to seek education. Once he was able to read and write, he became restless on the search of education, and at times he considered his search for education to have enslaved him more. He viewed education as a vital tool to get his freedom out of slavery and realized that he could utilize education well by helping other slaves to gain freedom. He began to see the power of education after he moved in with Aulds(Fenton 132).
Instead of discouraging his education after his master had stopped Mrs. Aulds from teaching him how to read, its encouraged him to learn more since he had understood that education is the key that would get him out of slavery. As a result, he sought for other ways of learning as he would be educated by young white boys in the neighbourhood who offered him the education in exchange for bread. Just has his master had predicted, he became restless and discontented after learning how to read and write on his own (Fenton 142).
Education had opened his eyes in the sense that he was only craving for more so that he could get free. At times he was envious due to lack of knowledge of other slaves since he knew that if they embraced education, they would be liberated from slavery. The more he continued to read the more frustrated he became. Although having education at times seemed like a curse to Frederick Douglass, he viewed education as an essential pathway to escape from slavery. Douglass had noticed that in the condition that he was in, freedom was not possible. As a result, he continued to work more to gain the education to achieve freedom later(Fenton 143). At this point, the only passion that he had was education, and he wished that he could pass it to fellow slaves.
Through his continued effort, Douglass finally was able to argue and voice the thoughts that had been dwelling in his mind on the injustice of individual situation and slavery. As a result, he began clandestine Sabbath school. Though all his scholars faced severe punishment, Douglass argued that they attended lessons since they had the urge for education and wanted to gain freedom due to the cruel slavery of their masters. In this manner, Douglass was worked to install education to his fellow slaves that he hoped that would serve them with freedom (Fenton 145). As stated by Douglass, his school was an inspiration to many slaves who showed up to learn how to read and write.
The long and difficult path of searching for freedom by Douglass had begun with the passion for searching for knowledge. From his hard work and passion, he succeeded in learning to read and ability to establish his education as a link to freedom. During many years that passed before he managed to plan on the route to escape, he still maintained his desire for knowledge and worked to install it in his fellow slaves. His long-lasting desire them offered him a chance to escape(Fenton 146). This showed that education played a key role freeing Douglass from slavery.
Franklin is one of the earliest thinkers who considered education as a means achieving success. In Franklin’s autobiography, he tells his story of how he rose from common roots to be a successful businessman which enabled him to seat in the government. He grew up in a small family in Boston where he received the standard education which involved more reading, which led him to like education. From the time when he stumbled due to philosophical work, he became obsessed with learning to get more information due to his career and self-improvement. In contrast to Douglass and Paine, Benjamin had no outer force which worked against his potential success. His only trouble was to overcome the poverty that he had experienced in early life (Marilyn 198). Since education had given him a chance of rising higher in the society, he consistently acknowledged that education was a tool for success.
The view of Franklin on utilitarian nature of education can be viewed mostly in his public work and his desire for self-improvement. Throughout his life, he sought to promote education in the society and mostly the young generation for them to succeed in future. After being a public figure for some time, Frank began to promote education directly to the people by building libraries and establishing universities. The concern of education lead to creation and establishments of these facilitates to promote education. Franklin educated himself with different languages (Marilyn 201). He was much concerned about the education of the youth, and he promoted them to be taught with French so that it was commonly used and would serve them well. Franklin began to be viewed on public education which would be serviceable to youth. In 1749, Franklin established the University of Philadelphia. He concerned himself with youth education as a way of empowering them and makes them successful in future (Marilyn 202).
This view stemmed from the personal desire of Franklin for self-improvement through education. Through overcoming his humble background by handwork in philosophical discourse, self-education, and practical knowledge, he seemed to be obsessed with education and gave him desire to continue with education. In his autobiography, he also mentioned his desire to learn. He also articulates his unhappiness due to lack of education at the young level which greatly affected his need for education at the older age. He also shows his desire to continue to improve his education. Through the life of Franklin, one can see education concern as a means of improving life (Marilyn 212). Through education, he was able to be positioned at high levels of government and establish himself as a successful businessman.
Like Benjamin, Paine Thomas considered education to be a significant affair. However, Pine differed from Franklin on his understanding of the importance of education. He wrote in favor of education with the sole purpose of explaining the need for change in sparkling rebellion against the English monarchy. During the Paine writing, America was on the brink of England revolution. More important, the incisive pamphlet of common pain sense was the document of education for people during decision and confusion. Through the document, Paine was able to appeal to the disgruntled and less educated citizens. He sought to reveal to the people the expert nature of government which was evil. In his knowledge, he wanted to liberate his people and incite rebellion against the oppressor who he considered to be the government. He believed that through education, citizens could be able to learn the true nature of the society and man thus creating a system of government which will consider all natures (Paine 49).
However, since Paine did not speak explicitly on education needs, his work is a direct indication that he had the purpose of promoting education. When he wrote on the need of educating the people o the government nature showed that he believed that education is a significant part of empowerment and liberation of man in the political and communal life. Through his common sense, Thomas revealed to the people on the fate of their prejudice by reasoning in a clear explanation and terms of government rise and then by showing how the monarchy cannot be tolerated even in the bible (Paine 53). He told his readers that:
“Constitutional errors inquiry in the English form of government is at this time essential; for were are never in good condition of doing justice to others. While we continue to live under the influence of some leading partially, so we are not capable of conducting it to ourselves while we remain under the obstinate of prejudice”.
According to Paine, ignorance is what kept the people of America chained to monarchy government system. He considered education as the best weapon against the tyranny. Education is the only weapon that looses the mental bond of individuals. During his writing, he wrote in such a way that both educated and uneducated could understand his message. Though some citizens were not educated, he argued that common sense was accessible to all people. Through common sense, Paine was able to educate them and enhanced them to question monarchy system of England. They had learned on how to react to its leadership. The purpose of his education lies in the context of politics though armed with education. This propelled people to arise and fight for freedom (Paine 57). Education was the key weapon of overthrowing the authority.
Franklin and Paine have shown that education is an important tool for seeking freedom. Education has been a critical aspect of shaping the future. Different writers have exhibited education as an essential tool which brightens the future. Through analysis of Paine and Franklin, it is clear that education is the crucial part for everyone. The good education gives the purpose of life and enhances personal advancement. This study treats us with three varied consideration of the power of education as a tool for personal growth and actualization. Franklin viewed education as a tool to promote success and harness success. Pain viewed it as a weapon that he could use against the tyranny of monarchy system in England (Paine 62). In the case of Douglass, he saw education as a means of human discovery which leads to freedom. While these situations defer, they were all achieved through education. The events show that education is powerful in the sense that it does liberate people from slavery and other inhuman activities.
Through the revelation of these writers, it is quite evident that education plays an essential role in shaping the future. Not only helping individuals to be better, but helps the entire community to become a productive and civilized society. Through education, African-American was able to rescue them from the bondage of slavery in past years. Since the whites were aware of the importance of education, they ensured that Africans were segregated from schools and were not able to acquire education. Education plays a vital role in increasing the knowledge which enables people to meet challenges which are productive in attaining self-role (Rich 24). Through education, Douglass Fredrick was able to rescue himself from slavery, and also he managed to help other slaves through education.
The dynamics of the world are drastically changing, and it requires a society which is well equipped with the understanding challenges of cultural differences and tolerance of individuals perception and beliefs. Currently, more problems have arisen which include economic, education, religion, government and cultural differences which need to be addressed through education (Rich 23). Education enabled Douglass to know the route which he could use from slavery. Though he spent many years, eventually education freed him. Through this, the view of education has changed to an approach which gives an individual opportunity to gain knowledge of the world around (Rich 28). The view of education has been transformed the perspective into which life is viewed. It essential to building opinions and giving well-informed information.
The narrative of Douglass Fredrick significantly changed the view of Africans on education. Currently, they view education as a relevant field which is also essential for future. Education has then been exhibited as an important factor in the life of people. Education has enabled the Africans to push from the past experiences of slavery and segregation (Rich 26). Currently, the view of education has changed across the country which has contributed to the establishment of different education institution in continents such as Africa where education was not deemed important.
The differences between the circumstances under which every writer underwent and want they encountered are joined together in the specific need of education that they all needed. As an illiterate man who was concerned with revolution, Paine viewed education as a tool which was significant in helping people attain freedom from tyranny. Paine used education as a tool to fight his enemies. Education did not liberate Franklin has he did not need liberation. However, he was striving to attain the best in his life and found that education was a useful tool that would help him. Douglass was caught in the claws of slavery which were dehumanizing (Fenton 48). As a result, education became a significant part of his humanity, and therefore he joined it with tolerance and liberty. Before he was leaving in brutality and subjugation and embraced education to attain freedom. In the context of this paper, it is clear that education enabled them to attain their desires and views which has changed the future view of education.
Work cited
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Paine, Thomas. Common Sense, Edited and Compiled by Michael Lee. Compiled Excerpts,
Eastern University, 2014. Pp. 47-98.
Rich, Motoko. “School Data Finds Pattern of Inequality Along Racial Lines.” The New
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