The Master Key Of Equality Is Education

In Gwendolyn Brooks poem "We Real Cool", she addresses the problem of high school kids dropping out of school and hanging around pool halls.  I cannot help but think that this a criticism of the African-American race. This poem was written in 1950 when civil rights were a huge topic among people in the United States. I believe that she is telling young Black people of that time that in order to win the battle of civil rights or equality they must stay in school and become educated.  She is mocking these kids at the pool hall for dropping out of school, lurking late, thinning gin, Jazzing June and dying to soon.  Brooks is also sending a message to all other school age people that education is the key to equality.