held in contempt, more important, they are to be

held in contempt, more important, they are to be exploited and/or kept in social conditions that benefit the group(s) currently in power.

Throughout history, con-, trol of education has been one of the most effective tools for manipulating these conditions. It’s not hard to see why: educated people think and ask questions; hard questions threaten the status quo for the powers that be. What a concept, just peruse the local/national/international headlines most any day for the latest examples.

Public supported education (for Whites) had been around in Virginia since 1809. Before this most all childhood education was private. A “Literary Fund”, still in existence (but now primarily supporting school construction), was set up to provide schooling for the poor. Following the Civil War, public education was deemed important for Blacks, but not too much, and not side by side with White folks. Thus segregated education was there from the outset, partly due to the notion that the races would not mix well. But the primary reason for separation was social control. For the ensuing 100 years, though waxing and waning a bit for short periods, segregated schools were a primary method for keeping Blacks in a position of social weakness. Separate but equal was the euphemistic code for woefully under funded and inadequate.

In fairness, it is important to note that poor Whites did not do much better over much of this period.

Until around 1900, public education generally meant elementary levels (through Grade 7) only. Secondary (high school) and college training was largely available only to those with financial means. Public education was also rather inefficient generally. There were reportedly over 50 different small schools (though not all at the same time), White and Black, just in Rappahannock County before things were finally consolidated to our present two build