Black History Month webinar sponsored by the Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) and the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL)

The Schools of Former Slaves and the Schools of Former Slave Owners: Religion, Race and the Struggle for Black Education

Speaker:

Marla Frederick - Asa Griggs Candler Professor in Religion and Culture, Candler School of Theology, Emory University; past-president American Academy of Religion

With “the assistance and encouragement of Negro churches and black education associations, nearly 800 schools for Negroes [were established] forty-five years after slavery,” according to historian Bobby Lovett. By 1910, 119 of the schools had become four-year colleges. While Black religion has long been framed as “protest religion” given African Americans’ quest for spiritual and physical freedom through the Abolitionist and Civil Rights Movement, we might more fully understand black religion’s work in society if we explore its role in the development of black education institutions. This talk argues for a revised framing of black religion that understands the quest for education as central to its commitment to justice.

This lecture is open to the entire Rice community and the public. For more information, email caaas@rice.edu.