Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

by Kelly Miller; Joseph R. Gay

THE FUTURE OF THE CHILD, THE FUTURE OF THE RACE

The future of the child is the future of the race. What the future of the child shall be depends altogether upon the men and women of the present. What thus becomes our vast responsibility is plain to see. It rests, not upon parents alone, but upon the whole community.

There is no greater problem before thinking and aspiring humanity and, certainly, no finer one than that of making the growing generation what it should be and there is, as assuredly, none which appeals to us with such overwhelming force, both with regard to our own welfare and the welfare of those who fill our hearts and in whom our hopes are centered. It is one involved alike in the parental instinct and that of patriotism. Our children must be so reared as to develop into good sons and daughters and good citizens as well. The keynote of all progress and advancement in the good of the world is centered here. Each generation should excel the one preceding it, and can be made to do so if the parents of today and the communities of today are not neglectful. Always today must be determined the nature of tomorrow. Parents and governments have a glorious responsibility bestowed upon them. They determine what all coming history shall be, what shall be the future of any nation and the degree of the world’s happiness.