Black History Month

Created By: Youssouf Gabriel Bellamy, M.A. 

Nearly 200 years have passed since the creation of the American Colonization Society in 1816. Henry Clay was one of the founding members of the American Colonization Society, and advocated during the antislavery movement to send emancipated slaves back to Africa; two of the primary destinations were Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Monrovia, Liberia. Although Clay supported the freeing of slaves, he was not hesitant to express his opinion for the future of blacks if they remained in the United States. Clay affirmed,


“Because of unconquerable prejudice resulting from their color, they never could amalgamate with the free whites of this country. It was desirable, therefore, as it respected them, and the residue of the population of the country, to drain them off".

So 195 years later I reflect on the prominent achievements of notable African Americans throughout American History……

Phillis Wheatley , First known African-American woman to publish a book: (Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral)

Martin Luther King, Jr., was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King has become a national icon in the history of modern American liberalism.

Malcom X born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabaz, was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. Detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy, antisemitism, and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history.

 Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, was an African-American civil rights activist, whom the U.S. Congress called "the first lady of civil rights", and "the mother of the freedom movement.

Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist, and social activist.Considered a cultural icon, Ali was both idolized and vilified.

Guion S. Bluford First African-American astronaut to launch into space, in 1983.

Gwendolyn Brooks First black to receive a Pulitzer Prize, in 1950.

 Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Ann Johnson) is an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences.The first and most highly acclaimed, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her first seventeen years. It brought her international recognition, and was nominated for a National Book Award. She has been awarded over 30 honorary degrees and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her 1971 volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie

Ralph Bunche, First African-American to win a Nobel Peace Prize, in 1950.

Shirley Chisholm First black woman elected to Congress, in 1968 (from Brooklyn to 91st Congress).

Fredrick Douglas, First black to receive a major US government appointment, in 1877.

Thurgood Marshall First African-American appointed to the Supreme Court, in 1963.

Hattie McDaniel, First African-American to win an Oscar, in 1940 for Supporting Actress for Gone with the Wind.

Sidney Poitier, First African-American to win Oscar for best actor ("Lillies of the Field," 1963). First black nominated for Best Actor Academy Award ("The Defiant Ones," 1958). First black to star as romantic lead ("Paris Blues," 1961). First black to become number-one box office draw (1968)

Colin Powell, First black chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, in 1989, and first black Secretary of State, in 2001.

Madame C.J. Walker,  The first female African- American millionaire.

: Beverly Johnson ,First African-American model on the cover of ELLE and Vogue magazine

Otis Boykin (1920–1982) invented the electronic control devices for guided missiles, IBM computers, and the pacemaker.

 Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. was a professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. During his career, he won three Grand Slam titles, putting him among the best ever from the United States. Ashe, an African American, was the first black player ever selected to the United States Davis Cup team and the only black man to ever win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, or Australian Open

Jackie Robinson, The first African American to break into major league baseball and the first African American inducted into the baseball hall of fame.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan, former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. His biography on the National Basketball Association (NBA) website states, "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.

 Keith Ellison, First Muslim elected to U.S Congress, in 2006 from Minnesota.

  

After merely dominating daytime television for 25 years, Oprah continues to grow her empire with the creation of her television network entitled Oprah Winfrey Network.  Aside from providing thousands of South African girls an opportunity to pursue an education at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academic for Girls, Oprah’s philanthropic efforts worldwide make her a consummate figure for anyone to admire. 

The election of Barack Obama in 2008 as a timely occasion is analogous to the election of Nelson Mandela, following the demise of Apartheid in South Africa. Obama’s triumph proved that our nation was ready for change, but today the social ills of police brutality, the rampant cases of racial profiling and targeting of African American males, and all peoples of color is an indication that racial cleavages still exist.  Proponents of  Post-Racialism affirm that Obama's election served as a panacea and was and an answer to questions of American inequality. However significant Obama's election may be, pervasive issues of race will continue so as long as society ignores the racial divide, which precipitated during slavery, has further become entrenched. And so an eradication of such social evils will call for a conscious effort to address instances of discrimination, productively, producing a society that lives up to the proclamation of an indivisible society, upheld by the principles of liberty and justice for all.

So after all, Clay’s myopic assertion of blacks being unable to assimilate within American society proved to be not only erroneous but undoubtedly unfounded

Remembering the Holocaust

   In times where devoted teachers are seldom, now and then teachers like Ms.Bronson reassure us that dedication and a fervor for teaching still exists. After many years, Ms. Bronson continues to inspire and help foster, strong-willed individuals who are destined to achieve new heights. A poignant memory of my experience in her class was our collaboration with the Jewish Home for the Aging. I was paired with Walter Schnell. Walter and his family were unduly subjected to internment camps, because of their faith in the midst of World War II.       

After surviving the devastation of the Holocaust, the pain, and suffering he endured was apparent in his eyes. Even though he overcame adversity, Walter remained a composed man, with an incontrovertible sense of pride that he wore gracefully.

As a nine year old the bond we shared, is something that will always be an indelible memory.

      

  Till this day, the tribulations Walter endured will be forever be etched in my memory. The lives claimed throughout the Holocaust should remind us all that humanity as a value can at any time be denigrated in favor of self-serving convictions, or ideologies. Let us all remember the lives of those lost and dedicate a concerted effort to eradicate the ills of hatred, terrorism, and warfare to ensure their suffering was not in vain.