An economist for whom I have tremendous respect, Paul Krugman, recently wrote a New York Times article which put the debate over education into context. I found the article interesting as I prepare to speak at the National Black Law Students Association Convention with my colleague, Charles Ogletree at Harvard University.

I've been thinking a great deal about how to help our community understand the meaning and value of a good education (here are some of my thoughts on the matter if you're interested). I've preached relentlessly that being well-educated is incredibly important for all of us, and that we should be willing to fight to the end to make sure our kids get what they need from our woefully inadequate school systems. At the same time, my recent appearance at the Black Achievers Banquet in Louisville led me to conclude that further discussion is necessary. I saw quite a few young people doing amazing things, but it's my hope that we can all understand that an education is not simply a path to getting a job with some corporation that will have you doing meaningless work for your entire life. Sure, that can be part of the plan, but it can't be the entire plan altogether.


In his New York Times article, Krugman gives us another reason to question the simple value of education when it comes to competing for jobs. He mentioned that since 1990, there has been a "hollowing out" of the US job market resulting from a reduced demand for those who can fill medium wage jobs. Actually, high and low wage job opportunities have grown, since these tend to be positions that are the most difficult to replicate with technology. For example, you can use a computer to analyze thousands of legal documents (which would have previously utilized a large number of attorneys and paralegals), but you can't use a computer to do the work of a janitor or trial lawyer.

Krugman also cites globalization as a reason for declining demand for educated workers. The use of computer technology and the Internet makes it easy for any American corporation to outsource computer programming or phone-based services to workers in other countries, leaving many educated workers in the United States without employment. So, that Computer Science degree or web design specialization may not pay off the way you might have hoped.

Krugman and I agree on one solution to this important problem: Restoring bargaining power to the American worker. The assault on the negotiating ability of unions over the past 20 years has led to the average American worker being left behind, even when our nation has experienced unprecedented economic growth. Since the Reagan era, our nation has seen an unbelievable transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich, with people of color receiving nothing but a crack cocaine epidemic and mass incarceration as a result. Greed has become a good thing in American culture and that is unfortunate.

Krugman also mentions failing schools and educational inequality as serious problems in America, not just for black folks, but for poor people as well. His advocacy for universal health care coverage reveals his liberal slant. Fortunately, I agree with Krugman on nearly every point, but there are always deep divides between white liberals and the black community that can sometimes leave us at the back of the paternalistic bus.

The point here is that the black community must prepare for a brave new world as it pertains to the battle for scarce resources. Sitting back and being angry is not going to solve our problems. Pushing your kids to embrace education is critical as we move into the 21st century, as well as confronting the systems that deny us equal opportunity. Additionally, there must be an understanding that a) being educated does not automatically provide you with economic freedom, and b) education means nothing without the courage to use that education as a way to make a difference.

My recommendation? Make sure you mentor as many kids as you can, so they might benefit from your wisdom and love, even if their own parents choose not to provide it to them. Also, learn how to start your own business so that you can get your income from multiple sources and be protected from the next economic downturn. Save and invest your money so you can eventually let your money work for you. Black people have to understand the difference between being "free" and being "independent." We've been free for over 150 years, but we still have yet to obtain our independence. That's one of the reasons that the quest for social justice has come to a virtual standstill.


Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here.