This document discusses the historical case for access to education. It provides background on leaders who advocated for equal access to education, like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, who had differing approaches. It also discusses policies like the GI Bill that expanded access but still faced issues with racial discrimination. The document argues that access to education has been a driver of social justice movements and empowers communities. It profiles a current organization, the Diversity in Education Advocates Organization, which focuses on education, community involvement, and creating opportunities.

1. Niehaus Hist. Case for Access to Education
The Historical Case for Access to Education.
MNM 607 Social Justice
4/19/15 J.P. Niehaus

2. Niehaus Hist. Case for Access to Education
Introduction to the Issues
Whenever there is strife or injustice, there are opponents, people on either side of an issue
or series of issues. There have been many examples in history where movements for social and
sustainable equality have flourished, fallen or been delayed because of lack of popular support or
lack of cohesive leadership and vision. A major factor in gaining popular support is whether
people from all backgrounds felt welcome to join in the cause for justice or whether they were
viewed as so called ‘other’s’ or even the viewed as the problem. Good intentions are important,
noting problems is essential, but how a group goes about voicing a specific concern to gain
universal support is not only important, it is what makes or breaks a movement. It is not only the
content of what is said; it is how it is said and implemented. A common purpose can be
presented in many ways.
One such issue is that of access to education regardless of race, ethnicity and religion and
how to practically apply solutions to a problem. It is okay to have opposing views on how to
move forward in a cause, but have a universal voice while respecting differences is often a tall
order. Especially in the case of access to education, which has often been viewed as a resource to
personal and communal improvement. Access to education and knowledge has always been an
equalizer when it comes to injustice, power shifts into a more equal setting when the
downtrodden are empowered. With access to education and knowledge that comes with it, the
educated can return to or create new environments where the dividing factors such race, religion,
politics or any other antiquated reason for separating can be discussed and set aside.
In 2015, A Supervisor in the Client Relations Department for a top Investment Banking
firm in the United States was interviewed about her experience and education at what is known

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today as Tuskegee University, a historically Black College, the school has deeply seeded roots in
fighting for equality and access to education.
“The questions pertain to Access to education and it is a social justice class. I picked
Tuskegee because of the history and the lens of African American perspective from
reconstruction until the 1950's. But like I said I need a modern context.
Can I ask when you when there? 1989-1994
What you degree is in? Political Science
And what made you choose TU? Rich history of the school was what initially enticed me,
to have the ability to learn more about Booker, George Washington Carver, the Tuskegee
Airmen, etc., I was not getting an education like that at home! I also wanted to go to
school as far away from California, to see if I could adapt to country living versus the fast
paced big city. Other factors were I have relatives in Alabama, and I received a
scholarship to Tuskegee.
Did being an African American Woman influence the decision, or was it more for the
high academic standards? Both influenced my decision; I only applied to HBCUs
(historically black colleges and universities) because my prior experience was primarily
attending schools with a majority of students who did not look like me😊, and Tuskegee
has a highly accredited Liberal Arts program that made my decision easy.”
The previous was a whole unaltered transcripts of the simple yet straight forward
questions asked to a supervisor who in the author’s opinion with probably make Manager within
the next few years and Officer in the next five to ten if she so chooses. The author of this paper’s

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bias comes from the position of being primary source. (She was this Author’s boss before he was
promoted to another department per her recommendation).
Patience always seems to be the order for the various situations within Investment
Banking Industry. But for Woman it is more competitive because of the ‘glass ceiling.’ More
prevalent that even that is the constant undercurrent of Racial bias and often stereotypes. While
most people are taught to look past ethnicity, it is hard to ignore the role that preconceived
conceptions and bias play in this age of ‘colorblindness and political correctness.’ What may be
meant to be polite can strike the wrong tune when you take away from identity. In this instance
the interviewed was proud to be a part of a heritage of progress and social change that was
engraved within the very fiber of Tuskegee. So to deny that and not recognizing the strength in
identity that is present can not only be ignorant but also rude and unfair. To strike to the core of
someone’s identity and other them by saying they must adhere to the melting pot that lacks in
diversity is falsehood in equality. To overcorrect to the place of monochromatic stasis is perhaps
as bad as denying an entire culture. Angela Davis spoke to ‘Black being beautiful’ and Thomas
Jefferson held, “…that these truths to be self-evident that all men, (including women), are
created equally.”
Justice is the Harmony of the Law, The Respect of Order and the Will of the People
In What is Justice? Classic and Contemporary Readings, Second Edition by Solomon
and Murphy they quote the ancient Chinese Philosopher Mencius (ca. 372- ca. 298 B.C.) “All
men have things they cannot tolerate, and if the result is Humanity. All men have things they will
not do, and if what makes this so can be fully developed in the things they will do, then Justice
results. If a man can fully exploit the thing in his mind in which makes him not wish to harm

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others, then Humanity will result in overwhelming measure. If a man can fully exploit the thing
in his mind which makes him reluctant to break through or jump over (other people’s) walls,
Justice will ensue in overwhelming measure…” (p. 57). In reflection of what Mencius is
speaking to is what many philosophers, Scholars and some Artist refer to as Consciousness.
In the historical sense from example given above, the Ancient Greek and Roman
Philosophers to The Founding Fathers of the United States of America as it States in the First
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. “Amendment I - Congress shall
make no law disrespecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peacefully to
assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances.” (p.131) Often overlooked
and underrated in the context of social justice is this simple and elegant introduction to the
constitution was written well over two hundred years ago but it states in the matter of ethos and
logos to state that those who see a wrong in the wrong with society have not only the right but
the responsibility to act in the benefit of the those around them.
The Current State
Fast-forward to the modern day in 2015, in Denver, why does Cherry Creek Schools, a
largely White population have a better chance at college and brighter future than kids in
Montebello, which has mostly a minority populace. Money, from both new and old sources,
comes to mind. And there is truth in that. But in comparison with access to education and
resources in more rural town like Nederland, Colorado, again admitting bias, where the author is
from is mostly White people. Nederland is not that much more affluent that Montebello. In fact
when looking at average incomes, the spread is not much. Montebello is again largely a Black
and Hispanic. So besides rural setting which has been shown through various studies to have

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minimal impact on income why is there such disparity? Separate but equal was struck down
decades ago why haven’t the education systems in the United States caught up? The answer,
Americans have not evolved, in culture of standardized testing, lack of funding and community
involvement, Americans have failed and continue to fail, but there is always hope. To look to the
future, lessons can be learned from the past.
In Recent History Booker T and W.E.B.
Booker T Washington was the well noted and respected leader and teacher of the
Tuskegee Institute; he helped found the school in 1881. W.E.B. DuBois was a noted author,
teacher and the first African American Student to earn a Doctorate from Harvard University. In a
recent interview with National Public Radio Tuskegee University current president, Dr. Brian L.
Johnson spoke to how both men who were working towards the same goal of racial equality.
And how access to education leads to a better life. He also discussed how they were often in
opposition to one another on how to achieve or even work towards this goal.
According to Dr. Johnson (2015) on Tuskegee University’s article, “Washington’s
approach was practical for the masses, the children of former slaves. DuBois focused on
advancing the ‘talented tenth,’ an exceptional group of African-Americans who would uplift the
black community…” So while both men had a similar mission of uplifting the black community
with education, they had vastly different approaches that lead to conflict. The article continues
and points out the obvious yet overlooked fact. “Johnson, a DuBois scholar and author, urged
readers to look beyond perceptions and to see that Washington and DuBois were related in their
purpose.” He continues “This Washington versus DuBois idea has become a political construct,’
Johnson said .”

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They were both working towards the same goal yet within that context they had opposing
views on how to get there, Washington viewed education as a tool to empower and uplift for
everyone while DuBois and his to ten percentile view put emphasis on creating leaders for the
black community. Both ideas worked on many levels and helped progress the cause for equality
and empowerment through education. The National Public Radio article points the flaws in the
ideas that both men had. Washington was often viewed as moving too slow, being to accepting
of the status quo and has even been viewed as a sellout. While on the other hand DuBois fought
for the same racial equality and access to education, he was often called a classist because of his
“Talented Tenth” view. The article continues and even more differences between the two men
are pointed out.
Washington saw the benefit of a gradual process. DuBois wanted more direct, immediate
action. Washington pushed for vocational training. DuBois favored collegiate education.
‘Education must not simply teach work — it must teach Life,’ DuBois famously said.
Washington's approach was practical for the masses, the children of former slaves. DuBois
focused on advancing the "talented top ten percent of the African American populations. He
believed an exceptional group of African-Americans who would uplift the black community
So why were these men so different? Why would men who were obviously intelligent
men fighting for the same cause come up with such different solutions? Experience and
situation, Washington was born a slave and was from the south and obviously had different life
experiences that DuBois who was from East and had more experience in theory and writing.
Neither men were inherently wrong because history has shown that social and cultural change
can happen slowly over time but also rapidly depending on the situation. Part of being an
effective leader is being able to adapt and evolve with the situation.

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The G.I. Bill
Evolution within a situation and becoming specific with action to affect a more general
issue has often been the problem for social justice. Specific action to bring the public attention to
an issue is balancing act. A story of success with access to education in the face of classism,
socioeconomic status and a world recovering from war was the passage of the G.I. Bill after
World War II. McEnaney (2011) points out the massive success and unique situation that lead to
the bill.
The bill was designed to compensate veterans for what the fight had taken from them —
physically, psychologically, economically. It represented a massive government outlay to house,
educate, employ, and mend returning soldiers, from joyous homecoming to deathly departure. It
was, as Glenn Altschuler and Stuart Bluminput it, “a New Deal for veterans,” an extension of
government activism and welfare provision passed through bipartisan effort… (p. 45).
The men and women that had fought in World War II sacrificed a lot for their country
and while after war it can usually take years for a country to recover, the United States invested
in those who had fought creating a new vibrant and thriving middle class. The GI Bill in
conjunction with the massive industrial boom that came with war lifted the nation out of the
depression of the 1930’s and a more educated middle class the business and technology evolved
quicker and even social movements were born or in the case of the civil right movement reborn
and evolved to be more effective.
The GI Bill brought to light the racial conflict; Minority Veterans were not receiving the
same respect and access to resources as White Veterans were. McEnaney points out some of the
systematic issues that were a part of the system that GI Bill was being instituted with.

9. Niehaus Hist. Case for Access to Education
…the decentralized management of the GI Bill’s benefits practically guaranteed a racially rigged
contest within the community of veteran contenders for assistance. The people in charge of
dispensing veteran health care, education, job placement, and mortgage benefits were all locals,
not overseers from Washington, D.C., so regional race relations trumped whatever federal law
dictated. Thus, almost a year after the GI Bill went into effect, the American Council on Race
Relations found that officials obligated to help veterans access employment benefits instead
“follow[ed] the pattern of the local community with respect to segregation and discrimination.”
(p.44-45).
Meaning that anyone who was not white was often not getting the same access to
resources, especially in the Jim Crow South where Segregation and racial tensions were still in
effect. Even with positive social change there is still often a pattern of getting past bias and social
blockages that must evolve.
Asking the Right Questions, Having the Conversation
The recognition of different types of leadership and theories such as Booker T
Washington and W.E.B. Dubois and how events and theories have and still are evolving is
essential. Many of the problems which were outlined in the civil right movement from the 1950’s
and 1960’s which lead to legislation such as the 1965 Voting Rights Act are still issues today.
Evolving and recognizing struggles are important. Knowing that they have a link to a community
is important. Historically access to education is key to success in facing those struggles. It is
often not hard to recognize a problem, and realize the need for change. The most challenging part
is recognizing and then implementing positive change. A movement must evolve and adapt to
the situation.

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“...Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The
wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my
lamp beside the golden door!" That is what Emma Lazarus’ famous poem says at Ellis Island
where generations of immigrants to the United States entered our country. America is a nation
made of the world; of those brave enough to stake a claim, not just a nationality but a morality, a
universal sense of right and wrong. It is in the fibers of every person to choose to say, “I believe
in honesty, hard work, and respect.” Everywhere in the world there are country’s made of
diversity, and while diversity can pose challenges and even strife, it is there greatest strength, if it
embraced. If America as a country, as people, loses sight of these principles, Then Americans
lose sight of themselves and the very identity and core of what makes them great.
To be the beacon of hope and prosperity to the farthest reaches, there must be action to
light ‘the lamp.’ To be the beacon there must be praxis, thoughtful action that is both universal,
and before finding the answers, a society must be willing to ask the right questions first; The
ones that make people uncomfortable but is the problem glaring right through. For some reason
in the recent history of the United States there has been lack dialogue or even a proper
discussion. There are no delusions of utopia or grandeur. But for a culture to evolve beyond the
prejudices that cripple it, ignorance must be called out. The light shined in the dark places. The
way forward now that past has been discussed is just as important. A lesson from the past is near
useless unless it is used to implement positive change for the future.
The Diversity in Education Advocates Organization (DinEA)
Better Students, Better Communities, Brighter Futures. That is the slogan for the
Diversity in Education Advocates Organization. The organization will put a strong focus on the

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importance of education and community involvement. It is the work of the founder, the author of
the paper, the Manager Patrick Heekin and the Technological Director Colby Niehaus. The
philosophy being that more educated people are, the more opportunities there will be for them
and the stronger the community will be because it. The strength comes in the ability to not only
advocates for oneself upon becoming more informed and educated but also being able to get the
social networks and contracts that help a community not only survive but thrive.
While most nonprofits hope to grow into organizations that support many programs and
institutionalize as a resource for individuals and the community at large. It must start with single
program and must never lose a pulse on those that they are trying to serve. A grassroots
movement can catch on in flash but to be that fateful lighting that strikes the storm it must be
calculated and planned. Yet at the same time serving specifically and evolving to the needs of
those they serve.
To accomplish this goal, the first informational meeting will be used to outline the
program, get input and be there to build trust and a relationship between the school, the
community and DinEA. The first program will be a scholarship program for student based
volunteerism for high school seniors. First and foremost the high school, or high schools, will
have to have students in need. The school will be reached out to, at first the teachers and
administrators of school will be asked and then evaluated to see if a need is there in their
opinion. There is no point in giving to those who have when there are those lacking in the basics.
As administrators and teachers, there is an intimate and honest relationship, a trust that cannot be
exploited but rather used for their own students. They have key insights into student needs and
will be a valuable human resource.

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A teacher can tell if the program is a good fit or how it can be modeled to fit, how many
students might participate, what community resources are available, such as locals businesses. If
there is an opportunity present, a need, an informational meeting will be held, where
administrators, teachers, parents, students and other community members will be encouraged to
attend to learn about what the program can offer not only their students but their community as a
whole. The informational meeting will be used to outline the program, get input and be there to
build trust and a relationship between the school, the community and the organization.
So the first step in any meeting will be finding out what the need is? What are students
lacking in experience and education that the school is having trouble offering? What are areas of
community that could be improved? What are issues within the community as whole? High
Crime? Environmental threats? How can DinEA adapt the program model and resources to meet
these needs an help the student institute the change they want to see. Starting off, it is important
to take the time to listen, open a dialogue and building the trust that comes with open lines of
communication is paramount. Having teacher and staff input before, during and after the
program will allow adaptable that allows for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Having
everyone with the same set of expectations and goals will allow for outlined in a clear and
concise way forward.
The next step will be outlining the resources that DinEA brings to the table, presenting
the program model that is specific enough to be focused and get results but also adaptive enough
to fit the community it will serve. The programs student participants will be required to pick a
charity, cause or community project to fundraise, work for or help in a way, and while local
causes are always important, anything they are passionate about that the third sector is fair
game. If someone can benefit from the students writing letters of support to service members or

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Amnesty International, by all means. Positive change is essential in whatever form it comes,
interpersonal to the international.
The student can team up in groups or work as individuals, which ever they choose. They
will have set time frame and set goals depending on the project. They will be in charge of
organization and responsible for supplies, and any monetary responsibilities. That includes
keeping track of any possible donations. The responsibility breeds leadership and leaders need to
have basic skills.
To elaborate, part of the program’s purpose is building real world skills and
understanding what it means to give back to, support and be a part of a community. Call it civic
responsibility or just caring about neighbors, but it is a cornerstone of the program, the students
will have learning about community leadership in which ever why they deem fit. Within the
program the goal is to give the students real world experiences and skills such as leadership,
problem solving, teamwork, and various other important traits. The universal values of
philanthropy and giving back and the direct correlation that has to strengthening a community in
will be show in a real world setting. The skills of active creativity, critical thinking and
leadership will be evaluated by DinEA staff but also by supporters and the students themselves.
A constant dialogue between DinEA with parents, teachers, schools and the community
leaders and supporters to help guide the students and offer support will be key. The overarching
idea will remain for the students to rely on themselves or each other for most of the work. While
supporters, such as parents and teachers, will be important, it will be up to the students to do
most of the work. Yet to alienate a base of support is not a smart move by any means. The
dialogue will be a place where ideas can be presented, problems voiced and progress monitored

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to ensure the success of the program for the benefit of the students and community. The adults
must be just as on board and a part of the process as the kids because without them a major moral
is gone. Booker T Washington made sure the rich White Industrialist in the South were as happy
to have them there as he was. If he had had the money and just build the Tuskegee Institute, they
would have most likely have been seen as a threat not members of a flourishing community.
In Conclusion for a new beginning
To conclude the presented argument for change, a historical pattern of three steps
forwards and two steps back must change. After the Civil Rights Movement, came the War on
Drugs; after the Civil War came Reconstruction and the Guided age, what will the decades to
come or event he centuries say about the way this generation acted in face of the problems
faced? Would Booker T Washington and W.E.B Dubois think the struggles this generation put
up in light of the circumstances noteworthy? To honor the past made by those who helped our
society progress for everyone’s sake, this generation must look past the slight differences, have
the hard conversations and ask the tough questions that no one wants to ask but must be said out
loud. Why does money still have such an influence still when education is right to all? Why is
race still and issue and is it fair to say that political correctness taken too far takes away from
one’s identity? Why is that America’s greatest strength, it’s diversity, viewed by some as it’s
greatest weakness?
Ask the questions, get the answers, if all else fails do what every source and example in
this paper did, if the system is not working, challenge the status quo. Someone has to be willing
to hold one another accountable; people will follow positive change and evolve given the chance.

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"…Answer. That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and
you may contribute a verse.” Walt Whitman –Leaves of Grass (1892).
Sources:
1. Norwood, C & Johnson (2015) Tuskegee University president discusses Washington with
National Public Radio
http://www.tuskegee.edu/Articles/tuskegee_university_president_discusses_washi
ngton_with_npr.aspx Tuskgee University (March 5, 2015).
2. Norwood, C & Johnson (2015) The Legacy of Booker T. Washington Revisited,
Http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2015/03/05/388443431/the-legacy-of-booker-t-
washington-revisited National Public Radio. (March 5, 2015).
3. McEnaney, L “Veterans’Welfare, the GI Bill and American” Demobilization Journal of
Law, Medicine & Ethics health legacies: militarization, health and society •
Spring 2011 page 45, 44-45am that made my decision easy.”
4. Solomon, R. and Murphy M. “What is Justice? Classic and Contemporary Readings,
Second Edition. ” Oxford Press New York and Oxford (2000), pages 57 & 131