Comparing The University Of Pittsburgh And Howard University

The American dream represents a shared goal of success and liberty for all, but only some experience this. Although Between the World and Me deepens the American historical narrative of the importance of education, echoing The American Spirit in praising certain universities, they differ in purpose: Coates emphasizes education as a means of escaping unjust social structures, challenging McCullough’s view of it as a tool for fostering American and national identity. McCullough and Coates both strengthen the American historical narrative of education's significance, celebrating the special impact of the University of Pittsburgh and Howard University. Even though McCullough commends many different universities throughout the novel, his admiration

Furthermore, McCullough states that “Our whole way of life in America depends on our cities, on the heartbeat of places like Pittsburgh” which emphasizes the impact of universities and education because of how “America depends on our cities” and the cities work with the universities (McCullough 19). This positive relationship between the two highlights the strong influence education has on the country. Similar to McCullough with Pittsburgh, Coates developed a deep connection with Howard University: “I was admitted to Howard University, but formed and shaped by The Mecca.a machine, crafted to capture and concentrate the dark energy of all African peoples and inject it directly into the student body” (Coates 40). Coates refers to Howard as “The Mecca” which symbolizes a place of profound cultural and intellectual significance. Although, Coates depicts it as more than just an educational institution; it is a place where he finds a deeper relation to his heritage and a community that nurtures his personal and intellectual

McCullough describes when this first began: “At Yale in the 1940s, a new American studies program was launched, a new American studies department established, and the idea quickly spread to other universities” (McCullough 21). The rapidly spreading program not only underlines education’s ability to foster national American identity and unity by teaching its history, but reinforces the narrative that education is critical. This is because when people learn about their country’s history, they have something to share and connect on. On the other hand, Coates opposes McCollough’s ideas as people within his culture have contrasting experiences: “When our elders presented school to us, they did not present it as a place of high learning but as a means of escape from death and penal warehousing” (Coates 26). This showcases how Coates views education as an escape from atrocities for his community, clashing with McCollough’s portrayal of it as a prestigious