Woodson, known as the 'Father of Black History, ' argues that the educational system was designed to perpetuate white supremacy and discourage Black people from understanding and celebrating their own heritage. He critiques how the system conditions Black people to feel inferior and to aspire to fit into a white-dominated society, neglecting the richness of African history and culture. The Mis-Education of the Negro examines how this conditioning led to dependency and a search for inferior societal positions, urging readers to become self-reliant and "do for themselves". It emphasizes the importance of education that empowers individuals to create their own destinies, rather than simply conforming to existing power structures.