Lloyd Daniel, a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, said education is more than getting a degree at a lecture at the Student Center. Daniel’s speech titled, The Concept of Economic Democracy and the Liberation of Education was sponsored by the Black Affairs Council.

Daniel said he knows many useful, talented and witty individuals who have not set foot on a campus. Daniel said Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is an example of an educated man who possesses no understanding of the struggle of the working class, women and people of color.

A person can have two or three degrees and still be a damn fool, Daniel said.

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Daniel, who is also a poet, educator and activist, stressed the importance of gaining knowledge through independent reading outside of school. He is the author of several publications including, Liberation Education:A Strategy for the 21st Century.

He said in the 21st century, America’s youth should take responsibility for leading the country. He said individuals can accomplish this through involvement in movements aimed at cultural, economic, political and spiritual growth.

Knowledge is the only thing the system can’t take away, Daniel said. And time is the only thing you can’t get more of.

Aside from speaking on education, Daniel said affirmative action is still necessary in hiring minorities because nationality has nothing to do with one’s abilities.

He said qualified people of all nationalities have been passed over and discriminated against. He also said the color of a person’s skin does not reflect what is in the person’s head.

Also, Daniel compared models of historical struggles for democracy to illustrate the importance of social justice. He said past attempts by the United States to overthrow legitimate governments in places such as Cuba, Iran and Vietnam are examples of the dominance of the military elite.

The greatest threat to peace on Earth is the United States, Daniel said.

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Wil Sanders, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Director of Operations for Black Affairs Council, said he was pleased with student attendance at the speech.

Very few speakers focus on specific points a listener can learn from and apply later, Sanders said. But Lloyd Daniel was able to do just that.