THE EDITOR, Sir:MYLES HORTON is credited for saying, 'We believe that education leads to action'. History has proven that statement to be very true. Education is a weapon and can be used in various ways. Education can be used to oppress. Education has definitely been used for evil. An educated man is more likely to possess the ability to lead the masses. A physically strong and able man can lead the masses for only so long.
The lack of education will be his Achilles heal. People respond to a knowledgeable charismatic entity, while a misinformed man would get over-looked. Generations of ancestors of the Middle Passage were held at bay through a lack of knowledge. Their captors did not want them to arm themselves with knowledge. It is more than coincidental that, after they slowly gained access to books, those people began to take action. There are some knowledgeable people that prey on the uneducated. If you do not arm yourself with education prepare to be an easy mark.
Historically, there were valid reasons why certain populations in this country were uneducated. Now that the playing field is closer to being level that cannot be used as a crutch. There has been a lot of positive action by some of the educated to increase our opportunities. The civil rights movement, integration and currently the 'No child left behind' policy are all efforts to transform education from a luxury to a standard.
We believe that education leads to action. Why not arm yourself with an arsenal of knowledge? An educated man is better equipped to defend himself. This is one of the reasons we commend Mr. Michael Lee Chin, AIC and Chairman NCB for his profound contribution to education. We would like something to be named here in Manchester in his honour.
I am, etc.,
JOYCE POWELL, J.P.
Mandeville, Manchester
