As for the “tests” we failed, we failed all the tests, because we were conditioned to the system — by school. It was and is the schools that are our doom.

Burn them, and have hope again.

The “functional illiterates” that I got to work with had fantastic memories but were unable to learn about new equipment or procedures from printed material. Unfortunately, much of the modern world is based on documents and written material. The skills needed “on the job” are the skills needed to do well on the paper test. Some of the “functional illiterates” were never going to get beyond the shop floor since any such advancement would absolutely require an ability to work from printed material. The “test” isn’t just the “test”.

More descendants of the original slave founder population who were selected because they were hostile, uncooperative, un-productive and not adaptable. Those characteristics do not work well in an environment where learning to deal with printed symbols (Readin’, Ritin’, Rithmetic) are involved. Those things are not “White”. Those things are at the core of modern society, occupations, and advanced education. Every modern society depends on working with printed or written symbols. The “test” merely determines if you can perform the skills necessary for the position, or job. Many people can’t write or interpret a logical sentence, so they better work on some othere skill or talent.

Ten years or so ago I taught at a college: half the students shouldn’t have been there as they had no aptitude for studying and even less grasp of how to gather information and apply it. Finally, a couple of “students” declared that if they refused to do the work for them to get a final pass — which was the holy grail of having students there according to the college bosses, because no one was allowed to leave with a fail —we the tutors ought to do their final papers.

They were right: why should they do any work? Someone will do it for them, and in a bright, shiny welfare-orientated state someone would give them money anyway.

The odd thing was that even among those 50 percent who could not begin to grasp the subject there were some who glibly talked of going on to university. Having failed to do any work at college they probably knew they wouldn’t have to do any work at uni either.

Final analysis: it was all worthless and not worth the effort, so let it burn.

Then there will be no need for academics and they can get jobs labouring in the hot sun for low wages.