There Are Children Here: Examining Black Childhood in Rosenwald Schools of Pickens County Alabama (1940-1969) by Kimberly C. Ransom A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Studies) in The University of Michigan 2021 Doctoral Committee: Professor Carla O’Connor, Chair Professor David K. Cohen Professor Jason De León, University of California, Los Angeles Professor Camille M. Wilson Professor Alford A. Young Kimberly C. Ransom
[email protected] ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6155-7185 © Kimberly C. Ransom 2021 Dedication To God, who put a song in my heart. This dissertation is dedicated to my ancestors, who deserve monuments. Their blood is my blood and I know they have called me to this place, this time, to see their world as my own. The blood is my love and my love is etched, in little flakes of words on these pages. …to my Mommy, thank you for going back with me, to Alabama. Thank you for your strength, your care, your support, and Spats after a long work week. Thank you for your deep love of people and community and justice. Those things are in my blood because of you. I love you deep, Mommy. You are my gift. …to my Dad, thank you for showing me the world, for gifting me your fire, for letting me ride shot gun, for challenging my thoughts, for showing me the arts, and for making me watch history channel, and for Gyros up North on Saturday nights. Those things are in my blood because of you.