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Letter to Editor
January 26, 1951
Arkansas State Press
Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
Mrs. Esther Lee Ford writes to urge African American mothers to properly educate and morally train their children per biblical guidance, emphasizing equality with white people and avoiding subservient behaviors like those of 'Uncle Toms,' based on her kindergarten assistance experiences in Pine Bluff.
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Listen Here, Mr. Editor!
To the editor of the State Press:
Several years ago I lived in Pine Bluff with my parents and there was a very dear friend of the family who taught a kindergarten and many times she would ask me to assist her with her work, and with my parents permission I would do so,
While assisting in this manner, I could readily see just who was and who was not teaching his child or children the way they should be taught. Now, you may say I am covering too much ground or that you rear your children the way you want to but Proverbs 20:6 says "Train up a child in the way he SHOULD go and when he is old he will not depart from it." So wake up, American Negro mothers, and face the facts for we are the blame for a number of these Uncle Toms.
Instead of some of us teaching our children intelligence we teach them that all white people are their masters just because they are white. And when a white person comes around they stand around as if they were afraid of something. Teach your child that these are people like we are, God made them and us too, While teaching our children these things, live up to them and keep them clean, keep them in school, off the streets and out of the alleys. See that they attend Sunday school and church when it is possible to do so.
Mrs. Esther Lee Ford
El Dorado
The opinions expressed on this page by our contributors do not necessarily express the opinion of this paper.
-Publisher.
To the editor of the State Press:
Several years ago I lived in Pine Bluff with my parents and there was a very dear friend of the family who taught a kindergarten and many times she would ask me to assist her with her work, and with my parents permission I would do so,
While assisting in this manner, I could readily see just who was and who was not teaching his child or children the way they should be taught. Now, you may say I am covering too much ground or that you rear your children the way you want to but Proverbs 20:6 says "Train up a child in the way he SHOULD go and when he is old he will not depart from it." So wake up, American Negro mothers, and face the facts for we are the blame for a number of these Uncle Toms.
Instead of some of us teaching our children intelligence we teach them that all white people are their masters just because they are white. And when a white person comes around they stand around as if they were afraid of something. Teach your child that these are people like we are, God made them and us too, While teaching our children these things, live up to them and keep them clean, keep them in school, off the streets and out of the alleys. See that they attend Sunday school and church when it is possible to do so.
Mrs. Esther Lee Ford
El Dorado
The opinions expressed on this page by our contributors do not necessarily express the opinion of this paper.
-Publisher.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Ethical Moral
Religious
What themes does it cover?
Education
Morality
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Negro Mothers
Child Training
Uncle Toms
Racial Equality
Proverbs 20:6
Education
Morality
What entities or persons were involved?
Mrs. Esther Lee Ford
To The Editor Of The State Press
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Mrs. Esther Lee Ford
Recipient
To The Editor Of The State Press
Main Argument
american negro mothers should train their children according to proverbs 20:6 to instill intelligence, equality with white people, cleanliness, school attendance, and church participation, rather than subservience, to avoid creating uncle toms.
Notable Details
Quotes Proverbs 20:6: 'Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go And When He Is Old He Will Not Depart From It.'
Recalls Assisting In Kindergarten In Pine Bluff To Observe Child Rearing Practices.