Knowledge as Power: The Secret Education of Enslaved People

Imagine risking your life to read a single sentence. Under the slave codes, education was a revolutionary act. Let’s uncover the stories of secret schools, underground teachers, and the enduring belief that knowledge could break chains.

The Fight for Literacy

1. Why Was Education Forbidden?

   • An educated enslaved person was seen as a threat to the system—knowledge fueled rebellion and self-determination.

2. How Did They Learn Anyway?

   • Secret Schools: Hidden classrooms in barns or forests where trusted individuals taught small groups.

   • Reading by Candlelight: Some learned to read using discarded newspapers or children’s books.

   • Coded Lessons: Bible verses and work instructions doubled as literacy lessons.

3. Notable Figures:

   • Frederick Douglass: Taught himself to read and used his knowledge to become a leading abolitionist.

   • Phillis Wheatley: An enslaved poet who broke barriers through her writings.

How Education Inspires Today

• Literacy remains a pathway to empowerment. Are we ensuring that all communities have access to education?

They feared an educated mind because it could dream of freedom—and those dreams? They were contagious.