While wanting to assist the masses, however, he argued that the
important priority, at the beginning, must be given to training
a leadership elite which he called "the talented tenth."
"The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its
exceptional men. The problem of education, then, among Negroes
must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth; it is the problem
of developing the Best of this race that they may guide the Mass
away from the contamination and death of the Worst, in their own
and other races." This influential aristocracy would include
scholars who would unearth the facts about the race and its
problems. It would provide leaders who would examine those
facts, make key decisions, and lead the race forward. This elite
would also include professionals and businessmen who would set
an example of good citizenship for the whole community.
Moreover, the achievements of "the talented tenth" would provide
living evidence that the racial stereotypes held by white bigots
were untrue. This would lead gradually to the acceptance of "the
talented tenth" within the majority community, and they would
provide the wedge which would break open the walls of preJudice
and discrimination forever.
Pages:
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252