African Americans for Humanism (AAH DC) Monthly Meeting

This month’s African American for Humanism meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2011 in the S.O.E. Meeting Room in the South East Library. The time is from 1:00 PM till 3:00 PM.

During last month’s discussion on “Blackness” one member of the group commented on the need for the older generation to pass along the knowledge and lessons they had learned to younger people so they can build on that experience and history. It was also pointed out the loss of historical perspective can be attributed to that failure.

So month’s discussion will focus on the writings of African American educator and historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875 – 1950). Known as the “Father of Black History Month”, Dr. Woodson was an astute observer of black culture and society whose analysis and observations remain relevant even today. It is still generally accepted that an education is the “key to success” but Dr. Woodson believed that a “mis”-education, including religion, could pre-program an individual or a group for failure. His Washington, DC home, located at 1538 9th Street, N.W., is a National Historic site and his work is carried on by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). We will be discussing the following chapters from his 1933 book “The Mis-Education of the Negro”, the full text of which can be found at the History is a Weapon site. http://historyisaweapon.com/defcon1misedne.html

» Chapter V. The Failure to Learn to Make a Living
» Chapter VI. The Educated Negro
» Chapter VII. Dissension and Weakness

Last month's notice included an invitation to the reading and discussion of Ronnell Adams book “Aching and Praying”, which is a children's book that that uses the subject of slavery to encourage critical thinking about religious belief. Ronnell's book is excellent and I want to commend him for his handling of the discussion period. Not every one in attendance wa a non-believer and he handled their differences of opinion and curiosity and respect. Finally, AAH DC member Saye Taryor is now publishing his work on tyhe folliowing site, http://viewshound.com/profiles/saye-taryor by clicking “Follow” you will get automatic updates. I look forward to seeing you at the July meeeting.