In a brief note at the start of the text, Woodson describes his intention to “set forth only the thought developed in passing from one to the other” (13). The book is intended as an expression of ideas around a central thesis, but not as a collection of essays or true plan of guidance.

In the Preface, Woodson presents both his background as a person with lengthy experience working in schools in different countries as well as his intention to address a “new program of uplift” (14) intended to help Black people in the United States progress forward. Woodson is careful to condemn previous educational programs that claimed to do this same thing, suggesting that “the educational system as it has developed both in Europe and America [is] an antiquated process which does not hit the mark even in the case of the needs of the white man himself” (15). It is Woodson’s firm belief that neither the “educated” (15) nor the uneducated Black person can be successful because of the state of education.

One of Woodson’s central points is presented in the Preface; he believes that “when you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions” (15).