This dissertation examines racism as a cultural element and its expression in institutionalized form. Through a socio-historical analysis, it focuses on the emergence of racism as an ideology and its subsequent expression in social practice under a socio-racial system. Critical to the study is the emergent struggle of black Americans in their efforts to gain equality through education under a socio-racial system. The use of anti-literacy laws and segregated schools provide important points of entry in this study for the examination of relationships between the schools and politics. The study also examines the four stages of educational struggle among black Americans: 1) informal stage, 2) self-help stage, 3) philanthropy, and 4) public support. Each of these stages demonstrates the character and level of the persistent strivings to organize and develop an educational system by blacks in America. The final aspect of this study deals with some of the author's personal experiences and the gaining of a level of consciousness that enabled the development of a more systematic approach to teaching. (Author/AM)