Old fashioned. Not relevant.
Stupid. These are some of the adjectives that might be applied to the 12 rules of conduct espoused by Nannie Helen Burroughs
(1879-1961) way back when, but think again. Today as thousands of our young men and women leave college and begin their search
for jobs, it might not be a bad idea to take a second look at these rules which have carpeted the road to success for many
young adults. Miss Burroughs, who came to Washington, D.C. at an early age and graduated with high honors from the old
M Street High School, wanted to become a domestic science teacher. She was turned down by the D.C. public school system despite
her qualifications, and later established the National Training School for Women and Girls in 1909; a private school still
in existence today under the name Nannie Helen Burroughs School, 601-50th St., N.E. Washington, D.C. Her rules might bring
a smirk to your face but on second thought, just imagine what would happen if just one fourth of our Black youth, and their
parents, would take some of them seriously. For better or for worse here are the 12 rules which can be found with detailed
explanations in a pamphlet published by the school.
Subject: 12 Things Nannie Helen Burroughs Said the Negro Must Do.... By
Nannie Helen Burroughs (Circa Early 1900's)
1. The Negro
must learn to put first things first. The first things are: education, development of character traits, a trade and
home ownership. 2. The Negro must stop expecting God and White folk to do for him
what he can do for himself. 3. The Negro must keep himself, his children and his home
clean and make the surroundings in which he lives comfortable and attractive. 4. The
Negro must learn to dress more appropriately for work and for leisure. 5. The Negro must make
his religion an everyday practice and not just a Sunday-go-to-meeting emotional affair. 6. The
Negro must highly resolve to wipe out mass ignorance. 7. The Negro must stop charging his failures
up to his "color" and to White people's attitude. 8. The Negro must overcome his bad job habits. 9. The Negro must improve his conduct in public places. 10. The Negro must
learn how to operate business for people -- not for Negro people, only. 11. The average so-called
educated Negro will have to come down out of the air. He is too inflated over nothing. He needs an experience similar
to the one that Ezekiel had --(Ezekiel 3:14-19). And he must do what Ezekiel did 12. The Negro
must stop forgetting his friends.
Reading these rules can explain why some African Americans
have made it and others have fallen by the wayside. One cannot have it both ways. Worthy of note are the students seen on
Morgan State University’s campus these past couple of weeks in their business suits who appeared to be heading for job
interviews. They have been taught that in today’s world the rule is to “dress for success” and look and
act like professionals. Also worthy of note are the young students going out for interviews for summer internships. Employees
are reporting that more are coming looking like they have been prepared for their interviews with a keen desire to get the
job. But, they say, there are far too many gum chewing, loud mouthed teens out here that seemed to feel someone owes them
something.
Black Child's Pledge
I pledge allegiance to my
Black People. I pledge to develop my mind and body to the greatest extent possible. I will learn all that I can in order
to give my best to my People in their struggle for liberation. I will keep myself physically fit, building a strong body
free from drugs and other substances which weaken me and make me less capable of protecting myself, my family and my Black
brothers and sisters. I will unselfishly share my knowledge and understanding with them in order to bring about change
more quickly. I will discipline myself to direct my energies thoughtfully and constructively rather than wasting them in
idle hatred. I will train myself never to hurt or allow others to harm my Black brothers and sisters for I recognize that
we need every Black Man, Woman, and Child to be physically, mentally and psychologically strong. These principles I pledge
to practice daily and to teach them to others in order to unite my People.
MAY
1
Howard University in Washington, D.C., opened
in 1867.
