Carter G. Woodson Quotes

A collection of quotes by Carter G. Woodson.

Carter G. Woodson was an influential African American historian, author, and educator. Born on December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia, Woodson grew up in poverty but managed to educate himself while working various jobs.

In 1912, he earned his bachelor's degree from Berea College and went on to receive his master's degree in 1908 and a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University in 1912. Woodson dedicated his life to promoting the study of African American history and culture.

In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) to promote the research and awareness of African American history. Woodson also created Negro History Week in 1926, which later became Black History Month. He believed that it was crucial to study and acknowledge the contributions of African Americans to American society.

Woodson authored numerous books and articles about African American history, highlighting the achievements and struggles of black individuals. Some of his notable works include "The Mis-Education of the Negro" and "The Negro in Our History."

Carter G. Woodson's dedication to the field of African American history significantly contributed to its recognition and establishment as a legitimate field of study. His work is instrumental in shaping our understanding of African American contributions and continues to inspire future generations of scholars. Woodson passed away on April 3, 1950, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.

If Liberia has failed, then, it is no evidence of the failur

If Liberia has failed, then, it is no evidence of the failure of the Negro in government. It is merely evidence of the failure of slavery.

Carter G. Woodson


Negro banks, as a rule, have failed because the people, taug

Negro banks, as a rule, have failed because the people, taught that their own pioneers in business cannot function in this sphere, withdrew their deposits.

Carter G. Woodson


As another has well said, to handicap a student by teaching

As another has well said, to handicap a student by teaching him that his black face is a curse and that his struggle to change his condition is hopeless is the worst sort of lynching.

Carter G. Woodson

Change

The large majority of the Negroes who have put on the finish

The large majority of the Negroes who have put on the finishing touches of our best colleges are all but worthless in the development of their people.

Carter G. Woodson

Best

In our so-called democracy we are accustomed to give the maj

In our so-called democracy we are accustomed to give the majority what they want rather than educate them to understand what is best for them.

Carter G. Woodson

Best

They still have some money, and they have needs to supply. T

They still have some money, and they have needs to supply. They must begin immediately to pool their earnings and organize industries to participate in supplying social and economic demands.

Carter G. Woodson

Money

If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition,

If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.

Carter G. Woodson

History

Let us banish fear.

Let us banish fear.

Carter G. Woodson

Fear

The mere imparting of information is not education.

The mere imparting of information is not education.

Carter G. Woodson

Education

This assumption of Negro leadership in the ghetto, then, mus

This assumption of Negro leadership in the ghetto, then, must not be confined to matters of religion, education, and social uplift it must deal with such fundamental forces in life as make these things possible.

Carter G. Woodson

Education

In fact, the confidence of the people is worth more than mon

In fact, the confidence of the people is worth more than money.

Carter G. Woodson

Money

The so-called modern education, with all its defects, howeve

The so-called modern education, with all its defects, however, does others so much more good than it does the Negro, because it has been worked out in conformity to the needs of those who have enslaved and oppressed weaker peoples.

Carter G. Woodson

Education

The strongest bank in the United States will last only so lo

The strongest bank in the United States will last only so long as the people will have sufficient confidence in it to keep their money there.

Carter G. Woodson

Money

And thus goes segregation which is the most far-reaching dev

And thus goes segregation which is the most far-reaching development in the history of the Negro since the enslavement of the race.

Carter G. Woodson

History

Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomp

Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.

Carter G. Woodson

History