Higher Education as a Means of Communal Uplift: The Educational Philosophy of W.E.B. Du Bois

• Published in: The Journal of Negro education Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 285 - 293
• Main Author: Wendling, Lauren A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington The Journal of Negro Education 2018; Journal of Negro Education; Howard University School of Education; Howard University, School of Divinity
• Subjects: Activism; African American Community; African American Culture; African American Education; African Americans; Archives & records; Beliefs; Black Colleges; Black culture; Black people; Black Studies; Citizen Participation; Civil rights; College Role; Community Development; Community Relations; Doctoral Degrees; Du Bois, W E B (1868-1963); Educational Philosophy; Essays; Extracurricular activities; Higher Education; Ideology; Intellectual Development; Library collections; Organic Chemistry; Overseas Employment; Philosophy; Political activism; Political Influences; Political representation; Politics; Race; Racial Bias; School Community Relationship; Social Class; Social Environment; Social sciences; United States History; Urban schools; New York; United States > US; Massachusetts
• ISSN: 0022-2984; 2167-6437
• DOI: 10.7709/JNEGROEDUCATION.87.3.0285

W.E.B. Du Bois fought passionately for full civil rights, increased political representation, and a purposeful education for Black Americans based on theoretical models and philosophies that were aligned with and responsive to the most pressing needs of the Black community. This discussion provides an overview of the educational philosophy of W.E.B. Du Bois, specifically as it relates to his belief in the civic mission of higher education and its purpose to uplift the Black community. It examines the ways Du Bois’ educational philosophy, social activism, and life’s work spoke to the public purpose of higher education.