It was nearly impossible for black children to achieve academic success before slavery was abolished in the United States, but those who did signaled the promise and possibility of a viable future.
James McCune Smith and Henry Highland Garnet were born to enslaved mothers and came of age in the early 19th century.
As children, they attended the New York African Free School -- an experimental institution created to give slaves and free people of color access to education and the tools to become productive members of society.
Garnet and Smiths' achievements, both political and academic, helped shape the national conversation as the U.S. grew out of slavery and into a free country.
Guests:
- Anna Mae Duane, associate professor of English at the University of Connecticut; and author of "Educated for Freedom: The Incredible Story of Two Fugitive Schoolboys Who Grew Up to Change a Nation"
- Crystal Webster, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at the University of Texas at San Antonio
"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 210-614-8980, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet @TPRSource.
*This interview was recorded on Thursday, February 20.
