Black History Month: Why Is It Needed? Extraordinary Black Contributors

[Alligatorob]

My mom was Jewish and my dad was Haitian

An impressive pedigree indeed! You must have many interesting stories.

Since I was, is now and until my last breath I consider myself as an American, not Haitian America or Jewish American. why? Because no matter my race, ethnicity, culture, religious affiliation I was born and raised in America. I strongly believe my loyalty should be to that country from which I was born and still reside in which is America. That's my personal choice.

I am glad it is, as it should be. You are first and foremost one of us. However I do find your heritage interesting, more interesting than most...

 

[Ruthanne]

I admire this woman: Harriet Tubman

Link on biography of Harriet Tubman

 

[Irwin]

The great Lonnie George Johnson: inventor of the Super Soaker

 

[Alligatorob]

There was some black history taught in the classes when I was a kid and I still recall some of it.

The closest thing I recall was an 8th grade civics class where we had debates on the pros and cons of slavery. As I recall the pro side usually won... it was hard to find anti advocates...

That was in an old southern (US) segregated school. Glad to here more was taught else where.

 

[Sassycakes]

You have obviously never been to Africa. If you had, you would know that there are big differences between the two. I think it's very insulting to say they are the same, and it's one of the reasons why there is a problem with racism.

You are right. I have never been to Africa, but I do live in the USA and know for a fact Black people are not treated as well as white people. Fortunately, I was raised by parents who didn't discriminate against people from different races or nationalities. My Parents had friends of all races and colors. Luckily my husband feels the same way as I do. He took a black young man under his wing and helped him succeed in his job. They call us Mom and Dad. I love them like they are my own children.

 

[Pinky]

I think every country should teach world history to their students. It would turn out more a more well-rounded population of young people.

 

[officerripley]

When people are encouraged/pressured to 'practice their own cultures,' what the heck is left of America and Americans?!?

Well, if we're talking about "American" culture, are we talking about the real original Americans, the Native Americans/Indians? Or are we talking about the first "white" Americans, 17th century Europeans (mostly British, I think)? If we are, then there isn't to my knowledge very much of those cultures or ways of life (espec. of the Native Americans) left here anyway. Sure, I agree that it's problematic when an effort is not even made to learn how to speak English or obey important laws. But it's hard to understand why it's a bother that people wear different clothing, have different holiday traditions, different foods that they eat, different childraising methods, etc. Heck, I bet that some of our Founding Fathers would be shocked, maybe even disgusted by spending time in "modern" America, even that supposedly wonderful Ozzie and Harriet time of the 1950s. (I bet they'd think Ozzie & Harriet were spoiling Wally and the Beav rotten; I remember hearing that John Adams laid about one of his sons with a cane to discipline him. Culture is just such a huge, unwieldy concept that I think that it can be worried about too much.

 

[Alligatorob]

it's hard to understand why it's a bother that people wear different clothing, have different holiday traditions, different foods that they eat

Yep, I enjoy a St Patrick's Day event, even though my Irish ancestors are long lost to any living memory, Mardi Gras even though I am not Catholic and my Cajun relations are all by marriage, Cinco de Mayo even though I have no real connection to Mexico, Pioneer Day here in Utah even though I am not Mormon (I call it Pie and Beer Day though) and so on. Its just good to be an American and part of all these things!

 

[Irwin]

Yep, I enjoy a St Patrick's Day event, even though my Irish ancestors are long lost to any living memory, Mardi Gras even though I am not Catholic and my Cajun relations are all by marriage, Cinco de Mayo even though I have no real connection to Mexico, Pioneer Day here in Utah even though I am not Mormon (I call it Pie and Beer Day though) and so on. Its just good to be an American and part of all these things!

Yep! They're all good excuses to get drunk!

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I came across this chart listing Black inventors, their inventions and the year of. I'm sure I've wrote about some of them already. You may have to hit your zoom feature to read the chart.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Deleted.

 

[john19485]

I'm going to start a white history month, an Indian history month, asian history month,

 

[Pepper]

I'm going to start a white history month, an Indian history month, asian history month,

Great. Nothing better than learning about all peoples. You start...............

 

[Aunt Bea]

John W. Jones was an interesting hero of Central New York with a little museum to preserve the memory of his life and amazing story.

Jones was part of the underground railroad and helped many runaway slaves, but he also worked to bury the Confederate dead from Elmira prison in a kind and caring way that was appreciated by the families of the men who had died far from home.

https://www.johnwjonesmuseum.org/the-john-w-jones-story

 

[Irwin]

I'm going to start a white history month, an Indian history month, asian history month,

Sure, why not? We could do that here on SFs. Also add to the list Jewish history month and others. We could have movies and meals related to various cultures.

 

[Irwin]

What are some good soulfood recipes?

 

[Alligatorob]

Sure, why not? We could do that here on SFs. Also add to the list Jewish history month and others. We could have movies and meals related to various cultures.

Great idea, how about a Redneck History month? We could sit around a fire in the yard drinking cheap whiskey! Don't want to leave us out, but a week or just a few days might be enough. Giving more thought, maybe a few minutes would be sufficient...


Seriously though I do think a Black History month or some recognition is logical to make up for many years of neglect. Not so sure about the others though...

 

[Irwin]

Here are some soul food recipes:
https://www.africanbites.com/soul-food-recipes/

I'll start a thread in the Food & Drinks section when I make a soul food dish — probably some fried chicken.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Actually, that isn't true. Slavery has been around for thousands of years. The Romans had slaves, in fact, there probably wouldn't have been a Roman Empire without them.
That doesn't alter the fact that we treated the Africans appallingly.
The point I am trying to make is that black people are Africans and they have their own history. The title 'Black History', suggests that they were non-entities before we removed them from Africa.
It should be changed to 'The History of Blacks in White Society'.
I'm not black but if I were I would feel very insulted by the supposition that we have no history of our own.

I find "The History of Blacks in White Society" to be offensive. Why? First of all...the title itself signifies a racist mentality. Because we had a history before we were forced to be in "White society". Did Africans have a society? The title also suggests we didn't. There were Africans who descended from royalty and those who were fierce warriors. "White society" loved to portray Africans as savages with loin cloths thereby not worthy of being considered human beings.

 

[Alligatorob]

I find "The History of Blacks in White Society" to be offensive. Why? First of all...the title itself signifies a racist mentality. Because we had a history before we were forced to be in "White society". Did Africans have a society? The title also suggests we didn't. There were Africans who descended from royalty and those who were fierce warriors. "White society" loved to portray Africans as savages with loin cloths thereby not worthy of being considered human beings.

Interesting perspective. I don't think our American society ever was just white.

Black people played a significant role in it and had an effect even when they were slaves or segregated. Look at our food, language, music, and customs and its not hard to see the Black/African influence.

African words like gumbo, banjo, jumbo, cola, and okra are just a few examples. Good or bad I think it always has been an "American" society, a blended one.

Blacks and other non-white peoples have always contributed and influenced our society.

 

[AnnieA]

I find "The History of Blacks in White Society" to be offensive. Why? First of all...the title itself signifies a racist mentality. Because we had a history before we were forced to be in "White society". Did Africans have a society? The title also suggests we didn't. There were Africans who descended from royalty and those who were fierce warriors. "White society" loved to portray Africans as savages with loin cloths thereby not worthy of being considered human beings.

Agreed. The trouble is seeing race through our personal lens and it's so hard not to, has to be a continued refocusing that still winds up a distorted vision even with the effort. Regardless of who we are, we're going to get things wrong from someone's perspective. It's discussion in places like this that help us see when we do, how often we do ...And we'll try again and still get it wrong just like all human relationships. If we ever think we've got it right and stop the effort, then we're out of relationship and that's the worst wrong.

 

[AnnieA]

Not sure if all the inventions on the list above have been fact checked. Looked up the stethoscope because I remembered reading it was invented by a French doctor earlier than the date on the list. It was invented by French physician Rene Laennec in 1816.


One of the most under-represented on the list (and one of my personal heros) is agronomist and botanist George Washington Carver who is mostly known for researching peanut products but this Smithsonian article shows his work was so much more extensive than that one crop. In the late 19th and early 20th century he was researching and promoting sustainable farming practices that still are relevant for today's organic and permaculture farmers. It was this work that led him to promote growing peanuts (nitrogen fixers) to restore soil depleted by cotton as a mono crop. Once he had farmers growing peanuts to improved depleted soil, he then researched ways in which to use and market the peanut crop, but that was just one facet of his vast body of valuable work. Because of his work developing products from peanuts and other crops he introduced for crop rotation, he is known as the Father of Chemurgy--a branch of applied chemistry concerned with preparing industrial products from agricultural raw materials.

Born a slave in Missouri, his mother was stolen by slave raiders when he was weeks old. An older brother who raised George searched for her following emancipation but was never able to find what happened to her. As a child, George was relentless in pursuit of an education and set out alone as a young teen pushing through racial barriers along the way to get it. He began studies in 1891 as the first black student at Iowa State and received his master's degree there in 1896. In 1994--waaaaaay too late but better later than never--Iowa State awarded him posthumous doctorate. Following Iowa State, Carver moved to Alabama to take a teaching position at the Tuskegee Institute. It was in Alabama that he saw the plight of black small farmers and sharecroppers trying to make a living growing crops in nutrient depleted soil. That led to his interest, research and promotion of natural, sustainable agriculture practices which he carried to the wider South.

Carver lived a frugal life on campus at the Tuskegee Institute. At his death in 1943, he had a savings of $60,000 which he left to the George Washington Carver Foundation at the Tuskegee Institute. His epitaph reads: "He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world."

Partial list of honors:

• 1923, Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, awarded annually for outstanding achievement.
• 1939, the Roosevelt Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Southern Agriculture
• 1943, Liberty ship SS George Washington Carver launched
• 1951-1954, U.S. Mint features Carver on a 50 cents silver commemorative coin
• 1965, Ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington Carver launched.
• 1943, the US Congress designated January 5, the anniversary of his death, as George Washington Carver Recognition Day.
• 2002, Iowa Award, the state's highest citizen award.

Professor Carver in his teaching lab (second from right).

 

[Irwin]

I was thinking about the question of why Black History Month is needed earlier and it occurred to me that we all view history from a different perspective. As a White man, I don't look as closely at oppressed minorities' contributions to U.S. history as those minorities would. Some White men wouldn't even acknowledge that they were even oppressed. That would be from the narrow viewpoint of White history, only. It would be like taking a trip to Chicago and not venturing off the Magnificent Mile. You'd see a thriving business district with little crime, and that would be one perspective of Chicago, but head a few blocks south and it's like traveling into a different world — one in which you wouldn't want to go after the sun went down because of all the violent crime. But that's the home of Chicago Blues with the greats such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon, and Alligator Records, among others. That's part of Chicago's history as well as our country's history. During the '60, many rock bands visited that area for the opportunity to play with the originators of the music they loved and emulated to some extent. The Rolling Stones took their name from the Muddy Waters song Rollin' Stone.

Rollin' Stone was actually Muddy Waters' interpretation of the old Delta blues song Catfish Blues.

Muddy Waters grew up in the Mississippi Delta near Clarksdale, Miss. off Highway 61. Most of us White folk remember the Monkees' song Last Train to Clarksdale and Bob Dylan's song Highway 61 Revisited. Those songs had nothing to do with Clarksdale, Mississippi, though.

What the hell was I talking about? Oh, yeah... perspectives.

The U.S. is a country of immigrants. Most of our ancestors came to America voluntarily seeking a better life. My grandparents immigrated from Lithuania during the rise of Nazism in Europe. Many Americans have Irish, British, or Italian heritage. And Russian. They've all thrived in the U.S. for the most part.

Black history is radically different. Blacks were brought here as slaves and have only been free for a little more than 150 years. They started off poor and have remained poor. Go to the poorest neighborhoods in almost any major city and you'll find a large Black population.

So that's part of why we need Black History Month. They've contributed a lot to our country, but for various reasons, they haven't thrived. They've been ripped off by White music producers. An entire Black neighborhood was burned to the ground in Tulsa, OK. They've been held back by racism.

Not only should we look at Black people's contributions to America, we should look at how we can help poor Blacks advance in American society.

 

[Marie5656]

I am in process of watching Let the World See on HULU. It is the ABC documentary about the murder of Emmitt Till back in 1955. He was hinted down and killed for allegedly of whistling at a white woman in MIssissippi. The men were found not guilty. It was a sad story about racism in America. Very strong and sad story.
In an interview with Look magazine the men admitted to the killing!!!

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Not sure if all the inventions on the list above have been fact checked. Looked up the stethoscope because I remembered reading it was invented by a French doctor earlier than the date on the list. It was invented by French physician Rene Laennec in 1816.


One of the most under-represented on the list (and one of my personal heros) is agronomist and botanist George Washington Carver who is mostly known for researching peanut products but this Smithsonian article shows his work was so much more extensive than that one crop. In the late 19th and early 20th century he was researching and promoting sustainable farming practices that still are relevant for today's organic and permaculture farmers. It was this work that led him to promote growing peanuts (nitrogen fixers) to restore soil depleted by cotton as a mono crop. Once he had farmers growing peanuts to improved depleted soil, he then researched ways in which to use and market the peanut crop, but that was just one facet of his vast body of valuable work. Because of his work developing products from peanuts and other crops he introduced for crop rotation, he is known as the Father of Chemurgy--a branch of applied chemistry concerned with preparing industrial products from agricultural raw materials.

Born a slave in Missouri, his mother was stolen by slave raiders when he was weeks old. An older brother who raised George searched for her following emancipation but was never able to find what happened to her. As a child, George was relentless in pursuit of an education and set out alone as a young teen pushing through racial barriers along the way to get it. He began studies in 1891 as the first black student at Iowa State and received his master's degree there in 1896. In 1994--waaaaaay too late but better later than never--Iowa State awarded him posthumous doctorate. Following Iowa State, Carver moved to Alabama to take a teaching position at the Tuskegee Institute. It was in Alabama that he saw the plight of black small farmers and sharecroppers trying to make a living growing crops in nutrient depleted soil. That led to his interest, research and promotion of natural, sustainable agriculture practices which he carried to the wider South.

Carver lived a frugal life on campus at the Tuskegee Institute. At his death in 1943, he had a savings of $60,000 which he left to the George Washington Carver Foundation at the Tuskegee Institute. His epitaph reads: "He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world."

Partial list of honors:

• 1923, Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, awarded annually for outstanding achievement.
• 1939, the Roosevelt Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Southern Agriculture
• 1943, Liberty ship SS George Washington Carver launched
• 1951-1954, U.S. Mint features Carver on a 50 cents silver commemorative coin
• 1965, Ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington Carver launched.
• 1943, the US Congress designated January 5, the anniversary of his death, as George Washington Carver Recognition Day.
• 2002, Iowa Award, the state's highest citizen award.

Professor Carver in his teaching lab (second from right).

Thank you for this wonderful post Annie! I've mentioned before that all we learned about in school was G.W. Carver's affiliation with the peanut. Such a shame his other accomplishments were omitted.