These Separate Schools: Black Politics and Education in Washington, D.C., 1900-1930

摘要: These Separate Schools: Black Politics and Education in Washington, D.C., 1900-1930, chronicles the efforts of black Washingtonians to achieve equitable public funding administrative autonomy their schools at Howard University. This project argues that over course early twentieth century, came understand two-pronged goals allocation resources both terms civil rights. At turn many African Americans Washington defended educational institutions as venues for individually demonstrating own good citizenship respectability, other words means social economic uplift. By 1910s 1920s, however, they spoke about equal opportunity a right, guaranteed all citizens by Constitution. Also, while these struggles equality began schools, were soon taken up leaders University its law school. In addition equality, was another key part Washingtonians' rights agenda. able carve out nearly autonomous space first segregated 1900s then considered this degree independence critical improving maintaining quality schools. Although fully acknowledged abhorred fact racial segregation intended subjugate race, persistently pressing autonomy, imbued institution separation Washington's university with new meaning. Rather than solely symbolizing oppression, through became marker leadership power. Taken together, battle equalizing primary, secondary, higher education component agenda period, even within context segregation. Schools challenges notion 1930s 1940s courtroom demonstrates instead it century activism ordinary which period governed Congress. Contrary typical portrayals African-American political participation during Jim Crow Era, shows deeply involved twentieth-century life on multiple levels. Locally, instrumental District's unique politics; nationally, shaped federal government race policy Congressional legislation; and, ideologically, national conversation rights, advancement, role American democracy.