The Impact of Absence
What Happens Without Education
Bad Choices Made Worse
It's easy to make terrible choices. It's even easier when we are ignorant.
Without education, we are run by madness.
“Well, most men have bound their eyes with one or another handkerchief, and attached themselves to some one of these communities of opinion. This conformity makes them not false in a few particulars, authors of a few lies, but false in all particulars. Their every truth is not quite true. Their two is not the real two, their four not the real four” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (Self-Reliance.)
When we are ignorant, we adopt the opinions of our communities, not our own.
Being possessed by a community of opinion, also known as ideology, makes our reality a lie and leaves us vulnerable to wrong or harmful information.
Here is a real headline from the 2020 COVID pandemic:
"At least 800 people died around the world because of coronavirus-related misinformation in the first three months of this year, researchers say."
This article went on to say that:
A study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene says about 5,800 people were admitted to hospital as a result of false information on social media.
In many ways, miseducation does more harm than anything else.
Historical Instances of Miseducation
The "Lost Cause" Narrative in American History
After the Civil War, many Southern schools romanticized the Confederacy and downplayed the horrors of slavery. This led to generations of Americans misunderstanding the causes and effects of the Civil War, which contributed to racial biases and the perpetuation of systemic racism.
Eugenics Education in the Early 1900s
In the early 20th century, various educational institutions in the United States and Europe taught a theory advocating for controlled breeding to increase the frequency of "desirable" heritable characteristics. These theories were the basis of racist and ableist policies, including forced sterilizations, and influenced Nazi ideology.
Racial Segregation and Education in Apartheid South Africa
Under Apartheid, a racial-based policy of segregation, Black South Africans received an intentionally inferior education designed to limit their opportunities and maintain racial segregation. This created a long-lasting impact on economic disparities, social inequalities, and limited career opportunities for multiple generations of Black South Africans.
Propaganda in Totalitarian Regimes
In Nazi Germany, Stalinist USSR, and Maoist China, education systems were used to indoctrinate youth with propaganda, rewriting history, and promoting the regime's ideology. This resulted in the widespread acceptance of oppressive policies, human rights violations, and in some cases, the facilitation of genocides.
Religious Fundamentalism in Education
In various historical and contemporary contexts, education systems have been used to promote religious fundamentalism, often at the expense of scientific understanding and pluralistic values. Which has led to societal divisions, conflict, and the suppression of scientific and cultural advancements.
Colonial Education Systems
All over the world and throughout history, colonial powers often established education systems in their colonies that devalued indigenous cultures and languages, promoting the superiority of the colonizer's language and culture. Which caused long-term impacts including cultural erosion, identity crises, and ongoing struggles for indigenous rights and recognition.
No education is the breeding ground for miseducation, which propagates misinformation. This dangerous road has devastating effects that could last generations. At its worst, it reinforces harmful stereotypes, perpetuates social injustices, and can kill millions of people.
Practical Impacts of Absence
On a more practical level, without education, we can never realize our full potential.
Limited Career Opportunities
Without adequate education, we often have limited access to high-quality job opportunities. This restriction can lead to a cycle of low-income jobs and diminished career progression.
This idea is preached by educators all over the world and is frequently rejected by the youth. Many times I see my students say that they don't need to go to college to be successful. While that is true, they will still need an education.
Without an education, we are not useful to others or ourselves.
Reduced Critical Thinking Skills
Education fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. A lack of education can hinder an individual's ability to analyze, evaluate, and create solutions effectively.
Many of life's challenges come from problems and critical thinking is necessary for solving those problems.
While I believe critical thinking is a separate skill all on its own. Education is what gives us a foundation to think critically. Without it, the solutions are weak or don't exist.
Lower Self-Esteem and Confidence
Education often boosts self-esteem and confidence. Without it, individuals may struggle with self-doubt and a sense of inadequacy, affecting their personal and professional lives.
With education, comes our ability to know ourselves and pursue what is meaningful to us. When we pursue meaning, we are more competent and have better follow-through. This naturally creates higher self-esteem and confidence.
Diminished Awareness of Rights and Responsibilities
An educational background contributes to our understanding of civic duties, rights, and social responsibilities. Lack of education can lead to engagement in societal issues and lower awareness of our rights and responsibilities, which can impact both our lives and the community.
People who are not educated tend to take from society more than contribute to it. I believe those who
Impeded Personal Development
Education is not just about academic learning; it also includes personal growth and development. Without education, individuals may miss out on opportunities to explore and develop their interests, talents, and personal values.
Every aspect of my life that makes it worth living has come from educating myself in subjects that I am genuinely interested in. When I take the path of self-education, I learn more, faster, and deeper with higher levels of retention. Additionally, my passion for these subjects was able to inspire others to learn about those topics as well.
Limited Access to Information and Resources
Education often provides skills in seeking, evaluating, and using information effectively. Without these skills, individuals might struggle to access or leverage information and resources beneficial for their growth and success.
Economic Disadvantages
On a broader scale, a lack of education can lead to economic disadvantages. This not only affects individual earning potential but can also impact the economic development of communities and nations.
Health Risks and Lack of Awareness
Education plays a crucial role in health awareness and practices. A lack of education can lead to a lack of understanding about health risks, poor health choices, and reduced access to healthcare services.
Social Exclusion and Marginalization
Education is a key factor in social integration. Those lacking education may find themselves excluded or marginalized in society, leading to social isolation and a lack of social mobility.
Hindered Innovation and Creativity
Education often stimulates creativity and innovation. A lack of educational opportunities can stifle the development of new ideas and solutions, impacting both individual expression and broader societal progress.
Self-Education Despite Ignorance & Terrible Conditions
We don't have to suffer the consequences of the absence of education, we can still educate ourselves to empower us to take on the forms we desire. Frederick Douglass is a great example of this.
He was born into slavery and faced immense challenges in his quest for education. His initial exposure to literacy came unexpectedly when his slaveholder's wife, Sophia Auld, began teaching him the alphabet. However, once her husband forbade these lessons, citing the belief that literacy would make slaves unmanageable, Douglass's formal education ended abruptly. This obstacle, however, only fueled his determination to learn. Douglass ingeniously traded bread for reading lessons with poor white children in his neighborhood, capitalizing on the little he had to further his education. He also made use of his limited resources, often reading newspapers and books he could find, which were scarce in his condition as a slave. Additionally, Douglass observed the writings of the people around him, slowly teaching himself to write. Through these methods, Douglass overcame his oppressive environment, demonstrating that determination and ingenuity can triumph even in the most challenging circumstances.
Douglass's story is proof that the human spirit is resilient and of the transformative power of education, even when acquired under dire conditions. His journey from a slave with limited access to education to a renowned abolitionist, writer, and speaker is an inspiring example of self-education and the pursuit of knowledge against all odds.
Let's break down what he did to bring himself from ignorant to highly education:
Trading for Lessons:
Exchanged bread for reading lessons with poor white children.
He traded what he could for what he wanted (even if it wasn't much)
Observation and Imitation:
Carefully observed the writings of others.
Imitated the writing he saw to teach himself how to write.
Utilizing Available Resources:
Read newspapers and books he could find, despite their scarcity.
Used any accessible written material for learning.
Leveraging Work Assignments:
Used his work tasks, which sometimes involved errands in the city, to find opportunities to learn.
Engaging in Intellectual Conversations:
Participated in discussions with other slaves and free blacks to refine his understanding and opinions.
Critical Thinking and Reflection:
Engaged in self-reflection and critical thinking about what he read and experienced.
Formed his interpretations of religious and political texts, challenging conventional views.
Practicing Writing Skills:
Practiced writing in secret whenever he had the chance.
Eavesdropping and Absorbing Information:
Listened to conversations and debates among educated individuals whenever possible.
Douglass found opportunities wherever he could. We can defend ourselves from the absence of education by staying open to opportunities and learning every chance we get. Sometimes this starts with being able to identify the opportunities that exist.
The risk is too high to let ignorance or circumstance get in the way of our quest for education.