History of Adult/Community Based Education in the 1960s

EDAC 631-800

Mishele Adams

February 19,2017

Mishele Adams:	Commented On:
	Wayne Tozzi (Group 4)

         President Kennedy referred to the 1960s as a ‘period of development’. The 1960s are most known for civil rights protests, the Vietnam War, the Cuban missile crisis and the assassinations of influential men. Although there were many things going on within the United States members of the community saw a need for improvement and acted accordingly.

         The 1960s was an important era for the growth of the adult/community education field. Community-based education began to emerge during this time. The Vietnam War began years before but was still being fought during the 1960s. The cost of war was taking a toll on the American economy and in 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson decided to launch a bill unofficially known as War on Poverty. Many programs emerged from this legislation including, Head Start. It is a government funded non-profit program that provided early childhood education to low-income families. “Head Start was designed to help break the cycle of

poverty, providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs (Head Start HQ).”

         Although there were many social and political issues happening based on race, there were an abundance of community organizations during this time that specifically focused on bettering the lives of individuals in the community. The Civil Rights Movement began in 1954, but during the 60s new organizations emerged. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense focused specifically on helping the African American community. It was founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. This group was non-governmental and actually worked against the government using militant defense. Although their primary focus was self-defense for the black community they provided other services as well. They started the Panther’s Free Breakfast for School Children Program in 1969. “By the end of the year the Panthers set up kitchens in cities across the nation feeding over 10,000 children every day before they went to school (Williams, 1968).” The same year the organization also opened a free medical center, started blood drives, did door to door health services for sickle cell anemia, helped the homeless find housing and gave away free clothing and food. They also began to teach socialist survival programs for black communities. The program focused on teaching black individuals how to defend themselves against injustice and educate them on their legal rights.

         Looking at the history of community-based education it is important to see there are certain groups within communities that need help meeting their basic needs. With the help of others that are more privileged that are given more opportunities and able to reach their full potential.

Head Start Headquarters: Retrieved from          https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs/about/history-of-head-start

Morabia, A. (2016). Unveiling the black panther party legacy to   public health. American Journal of Public Health, 106 (10), 1732-1733. Doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303405

Marciano, J. (2016) Lessons from the vietnam war. Monthly       Review, 68 (7), 43. doi: 10.14452/MR-068-07-2016-11_4

Siegel, Robert. (2004, January 8) Lyndon Johnson’s War on      Poverty. Retrieved from          http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15896       60

Williams, Shirley (1968, October 26). The Black Panther.          Retrieved from           https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/workers/black-  panthers/

Areas	Summary
Social Background	Civil rights movement, Vietnam war
Highlights	The country was experiencing difficult times trying to bring everyone together.
Influential Factors	Poverty from the war, black community fighting for equality
Implications	The Black Panthers & War on Poverty (Head Start)