Rabbia Batool on Du Bois and Education in Today's Society

Education is a timeless concept and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. It plays a major role in every aspect of our lives and is particularly considered to be an essential part of the political systems of any society today. It is responsible for shaping the minds of individuals, instilling values, and developing citizens to become civically engaged in their society. Two very influential thinkers, W.E.B. Du Bois and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, have discussed distinct perspectives and ideas on the significance of education and how it relates to politics.

W.E.B. Du Bois was a prominent African American civil rights activist who believed that education was a powerful tool for empowering African Americans and challenging racial discrimination. He advocated for higher education for a select group of African Americans who he referred to as the "Talented Tenth." Du Bois believed the purpose of education was to cultivate leaders who could guide and uplift the entire African American community despite the struggles they face. He emphasizes the inclusion of African American history and culture in education, which aims to nurture a strong sense of identity and promote social cohesion.

On the other hand, the Enlightenment philosopher Rousseau’s ideas on education consisted of being allowed to develop freely and in harmony with one’s natural inclinations. He emphasized the importance of hands-on experiences and experiential learning, which would guide education according to the child's interests and curiosities. He believed that we shouldn’t alter the way an individual's mind and curiosity works and shouldn’t discourage their inquisitiveness. Rousseau saw education as a vital part of an individual's development and advocated for acknowledging the unique needs of each child.

Both Du Bois and Rousseau recognized education's transformative power but in different contexts based on their own experiences. Du Bois focuses on higher education and how this leads to empowering marginalized communities as well as the potential education has to address social inequality and bring change amongst these societal issues.

Du Bois points out that education needs to be prioritized because even today, it is necessary for individuals to be educated on not only their own perspectives and ideas but also on the world that surrounds them. That way we aren’t a world filled with ignorance but are knowledgeable enough to find a similar foundation in which we can help improve our world rather than damage it with our distinct world-views that aren’t agreed upon. A connection I made to Du Bois’ ideas was to Douglass. Douglass’s pursuit of knowledge and education is what leads to his activism against slavery and to his abolitionism. Education is what leads to his own freedom as well as that of many others. Education ultimately stands as a testament to how we grow and succeed in our society. Du Bois’s views on cultural awareness are extremely significant in promoting a diverse and inclusive educational environment. Rousseau's ideas on having a natural education are also valuable because they highlight the importance of considering our unique and individual differences and fostering a love for learning as we grow up through experiences and hands-on learning. The non-traditional methods of learning that he promotes still exist today as we teach kids to express themselves to the fullest and encourage their curiosity and their uniqueness as individuals. However, although Rousseau's ideas are present, most of our society depends on an education that opposes his ideas, as we often confine ourselves and all individuals to an environment in which we don’t have the opportunity both to be ourselves and to be successful. We depend on these jobs and areas of interest and pursue them because we believe that it’s what we need to thrive in society, even though we don’t hold any interest in them.

In our modern society, education's role in politics remains paramount. Education must go beyond gaining knowledge and needs to promote critical thinking and active citizenship. A well-rounded education consists of academic excellence but also social and emotional development. Especially in a democratic society, it’s so important to be able to respect diverse perspectives and to learn from one another through our unique experiences and ideas. Emphasizing experiential learning and hands-on experiences can empower students to become proactive and help them make change. Another important aspect of an education is how it is necessary for it to be accessible to all people regardless of their socio-economic background or race. Equitable access to quality education is fundamental to dismantling these systemic inequalities. Education is a catalyst for positive change, as it fosters a society built on knowledge and collective action, with an openness to new changes and ideas.

Hence, education plays a vital role in the political systems of these societies. W.E.B. Du Bois and Jean-Jacques Rousseau offer valuable insights into the power of education and its potential to shape individuals and societies through their own experiences and views. While Du Bois emphasized education's role in empowering marginalized communities and cultural pride, Rousseau highlighted the importance of individualized learning and experiential education through our nature as humans. In our societies, education evolves to address challenges and opportunities. We gain critical thinking skills, become more civically engaged, and become more aware of our world, which empowers and uplifts us as individuals to revolutionize our world for the better.