The Black community must establish A Educational Systems That Reflect Values To Create Productive, Empowered, and God-Centered Children.

EDUCATION

"Education is supposed to be the proper cultivation of the gifts and talents of the individual through the acquisition of knowledge. Knowledge satisfies our natural thirst for gaining that which will make us one with our Maker. So true education cultivates the person—mind, body and spirit—by bringing us closer to fulfilling our purpose for being, which is to reflect Allah (God). The second purpose for education, after self-cultivation, is to teach us how to give proper service to self, family, community, nation and then to the world." - The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan -

A curriculum is like a treasure map for learning! It's a carefully crafted framework that maps out the educational content, learning objectives, teaching methods, and assessment strategies. This blueprint guides the teaching and learning process and sets the stage for student's academic journey, ensuring they reach their full potential.

We are expressing concerns about the impact of systemic oppression on education, identity, and self-knowledge, particularly within the Black community. Systemic oppression has deliberately disconnected the Black community from its spiritual, cultural, and intellectual heritage. The root of the problem lies in the lack of understanding of one's history, value, potential, and connection to the Creator. This knowledge is crucial for personal growth, community empowerment, and restoring a people whose heritage has been systematically attacked and undermined.

The Impact of Slavery and Miseducation that We Cannot Ignore:

Slavery was more than physical bondage; it was a comprehensive attack on the identity and psyche of Black people. Its goal was to strip away their spiritual essence, knowledge of self, and ability to determine their destinies. The enslaved were denied access to their languages, spiritual practices, and even family units, disrupting the natural process of passing down values, traditions, and knowledge.

This erasure of identity did not end with physical emancipation; it continued through educational systems designed to condition rather than nurture. Even post-integration, many mainstream schools were inadequate in addressing the specific needs of Black students, often failing to validate their experiences or uplift their potential. As a result, Black children are frequently exposed to narratives that do not reflect their true worth, heritage, or contributions to society, leading to an identity crisis and low self-esteem.

Knowledge of Self: A Prerequisite for Community Development:

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's emphasis on knowledge of self is fundamental for a reason. Without this self-knowledge—an understanding of one's divine origin, purpose, and potential—it is impossible for an individual to fully realize their talents and contribute meaningfully to their family and community. To build a productive and thriving community, each person must know who they are and why they are—not just in a superficial sense, but in a way rooted in divine purpose.

Knowledge of God is the beginning of true education, as it aligns the individual with their higher purpose. The Creator is the source of all wisdom, knowledge, and power. Therefore, a curriculum that does not start with an understanding of God and the individual's relationship to Him is incomplete and can never cultivate the full potential of the human being.

Knowledge of self teaches us that we are not accidental but possess unique gifts, strengths, and responsibilities. It instills the understanding that every child is part of a divine plan, capable of greatness, and deserving of respect.

The family plays a crucial role in teaching knowledge of self. It should be the first source of this knowledge. However, when a family lacks this knowledge due to systemic oppression, miseducation, and spiritual alienation, it becomes challenging to pass down what has been lost. A family disconnected from its history, spiritual foundation, and positive self-image will struggle to instill a strong sense of identity and purpose in its children.

To address this, families and communities need a comprehensive re-education. This re-education should reconnect people to the knowledge of God, the history and contributions of their ancestors, and the values and principles that will help them build a strong and thriving community.

The integration of schools, intended to create equality, often failed to address the unique educational and psychological needs of Black children. Instead of genuine integration of knowledge and respect for Black culture and history, many Black students were assimilated into a system that still harbored racist assumptions and excluded them from positions of self-worth and academic empowerment.

Independent educational systems can help the Black community create schools and programs rooted in their cultural, spiritual, and historical reality. These systems can focus on teaching the true history of Black people and empowering students with a strong sense of self, purpose, and destiny.

The ultimate foundation for an effective educational system is rooted in divine wisdom. A curriculum that leaves out God is inherently flawed. Mathematics and Science should inspire reverence for the Creator and the divine laws that govern the universe. History and Language should empower students to see themselves as part of a lineage of greatness. Art and Music should be taught as expressions of the soul, tools for healing, and means of communicating with the divine.

A curriculum that is effective in restoring the Black community must be based on pillars such as spiritual foundation, cultural affirmation, moral and ethical development, and community service and responsibility.

The Black community must establish educational systems that reflect these values to create productive, empowered, and God-centered children. Without a curriculum that starts with knowledge of God and cultivates knowledge of self, it is impossible to produce a thriving community.  

Another critical issue that is impacting not just Black children, but youth across the board today: the power and influence of social media and popular culture. When children are not grounded in a strong foundation of ethical thinking, cultural knowledge, and positive self-identity, they are susceptible to being shaped by whatever they consume. Social media and entertainment, which are often driven by sensationalism, glamorize behaviors that are harmful, unethical, and ultimately destructive for personal development and the well-being of future generations.

The Importance of Proper Education and Positive Reinforcement:

If we want to counteract these negative influences, the solution begins with providing children with a solid foundation of proper education. This education must go beyond academics; it must include teaching values, self-respect, and critical thinking skills. It should instill an understanding of who they are, why they matter, and what they are capable of.

• Reinforcing Positive Identity: Children need to see themselves in a positive light and be equipped with the knowledge of their history, cultural contributions, and potential. This reinforcement helps build the self-esteem necessary to resist negative peer pressure.

  
  

• Cultivating Ethical Thinking: Education should include the development of ethical reasoning, teaching children to question and critically analyze the messages they receive from media. This empowers them to make informed choices and reject influences that do not align with their values.

  
  

• Providing Positive Role Models: Children emulate what they see. It is essential to surround them with role models who exemplify success, integrity, and a sense of service to the community. Positive reinforcement from parents, mentors, educators, and spiritual leaders can help balance the negativity they might encounter online.

In today’s world, where children are constantly bombarded by negative influences, proper education and ethical thinking are not luxuries—they are necessities. Without a strong foundation rooted in knowledge of self and God-consciousness, children become easy prey for those who seek to exploit their minds, emotions, and behaviors. Families, communities, and educational institutions must work together to provide God-centered, value-based education that strengthens children from within, enabling them to withstand the negative forces of popular culture and emerge as positive contributors to the world.