James Anderson critically reinterprets the history of southern black education from Reconstruction to the Great Depression. By placing black schooling within a political, cultural, and economic context, he offers fresh insights into black commitment to education, the peculiar significance of Tuskegee Institute, and the conflicting goals of various philanthropic groups, among other matters.

Initially, ex-slaves attempted to create an educational system that would support and extend their emancipation, but their children were pushed into a system of industrial education that presupposed black political and economic subordination. This conception of education and social order -- supported by northern industrial philanthropists, some black educators, and most southern school officials -- conflicted with the aspirations of ex-slaves and their descendants, resulting at the turn of the century in a bitter national debate over the purposes of black education. Because blacks lacked economic and political power, white elites were able to control the structure and content of black elementary, secondary, normal, and college education during the first third of the twentieth century. Nonetheless, blacks persisted in their struggle to develop an educational system in accordance with their own needs and desires.

From childhood foot races to lost friendships, from cotton fields to football fields, from third Wednesdays of October to last years of graduate school, from first loves to happily-ever-afters, and from one case of racial injustice to the next, experience what life was like for a young Max Parker as he grows up in the American south. The harrowing aftermath of Reconstruction and the oncoming conclusion of Jim Crow, the Emmitt Till era and the Civil Rights movement, and the election of Barack Obama and the Black Lives Matter protests provide instrumental backdrops as he grows from a child to an educator, an academic, and a family man. Stand by him as he fights against racism at the potato grader, in his previously segregated new church, and even while going for a bike ride with an old friend. Root for him as, experience by experience-from the daily to the extraordinary-he eventually removes the masks that had both protected him and held him back from becoming 100% his authentic self.

In The Mask-Wearing Journey of Sweet Papa T: Why African American Men Hide Their Feelings, Dr. Parker recounts key moments throughout his life where he thought masking was unfortunately necessary. What would have happened had he not worn masks? When did he realize masking was not the answer? How does it feel to live a life free of masks? Vivid with detail, lush with emotion, and rich with history, Dr. Parker's story has all of these answers and more.

The concepts in this book are meant to be put into practice as a guide for one on a path to personal freedom with the devotee's conception of awareness not being intellectual but rather experiential. You are truly aware when you are liberated from the perceptions and ideas of reality wanting to be different than what it already is. Awareness is a state of being that has always been within you, but that has been covered up with made up stories, false concepts, and dogmatic beliefs that muddy our perceptions of what being awakened is really all about. A useful method is not so much a teaching of a set of beliefs, but rather a set of practices, and ways of living. Instead of relying on dogmatic beliefs, it would be wise to have a philosophy of living ethically. Rather than focusing our energy on irrelevant details that are conditioned by society like whether a particular belief system has control over our soul. we should be focusing our energy on finding peace and contentment in the present moment. -Which is, after all, the only moment we'll ever have. The precepts in this book are not at odds with any religions, and the practices should only be used to become a better whatever you are. Additionally, we must embrace the fact and recognize that life in general, is not personal, and that difficulties will arise. It's simply a part of experiencing life. Another important concept that this book employs, is that spirituality is a solitary search for truth, driven neither by greed nor by fear, and relies only on the individual's own efforts and sense of direction. No two people's paths can be the same, because as individuals we are as unique as our own search.

Showcasing daring feats and illusions, this book takes a look at the famous illusionists throughout history who have amazed us with their magic tricks. Developed by Timothy Rasinski and Lori Oczkus, and featuring TIME content, this book includes essential text features like an index, captions, glossary, and table of contents. The detailed sidebars, fascinating images, and Dig Deeper section prompt students to connect back to the text and encourage multiple readings. Check It Out! includes suggested resources for further reading. Aligned with state standards, this title features complex content appropriate for students preparing for college and career readiness.

The UPlifting is an annual magazine that focuses on art, culture and politics. The goal of the magazine is to shed light on groups and individuals doing positive things in their communties.