Keeping Black History In The Spotlight Is Always Our Goal
By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
During this month of February, there are a lot of people both Black and White who are celebrating Black History.
We realize the contributions that African Americans made, and we want to shine the spotlight of greatness upon them.
Many of us can remember when Black History Month was Black History Week.
As the record will show in 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244 which designated February as National Black History Month.
So now, we celebrate the achievements and successes of African Americans.
Because of these accomplishments, our America has become better and greater.
When you drive a car and stop at a red light, remember that Garrett Morgan, a Black man invented the stoplight.
I do muse about whether most White people know this important history fact.
Most of us know someone who has benefitted from a blood bank.
Dr. Charles Drew organized America’s first large-scale blood bank.
Records show this program began early in World War II and we can say that this system originally developed by him has saved countless lives.
Education has been important to African Americans over the years and continues to this day.
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was the founder of Bethune Cookman College now University. It is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in Daytona Beach Florida.
Other HBCUs in the state include Edward Waters University, Florida A&M University and Florida Memorial University.
These schools have produced thousands of graduates who have contributed greatly to our world.
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was also the founder of the National Council of Negro Women in 1935 and was a social justice advocate according to reports.
Other notable Black achievers included Granville T. Woods who had over 55 patents, one of which was an induction telegraph system which allowed travelling trains to communicate with each other according to the Oprah Daily website.
Madam C. J. Walker was the first Black woman to become a self-made millionaire. All of us have used her hair care products.
So, in all walks of life, we have had Africans Americans being consistent and persistent in their pursuit of excellence.
Our history books tell us that George Carruthers, a physicist and engineer created a camera to take pictures of ultraviolet images in space.
He was awarded NASA,s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Obstacles nor circumstances could stop them from creating and developing.
When they heard no, they dug deeper and made yes happen.
Their legacies will forever be etched in the history books of America.
We will go to museums to learn more about them.
Black History is a part of American history as it should be.
That is the way it is, and I say that with pride and conviction.
Our children and grandchildren need to know about their roots and that they stand on the shoulders of their ancestors.
For example, they know Beyonce but do they know Ella Fitzgerald and Josephine Baker?
They know LeBron but do they know Bill Russell and the Big O (Oscar Robertson)?
They know Usher but do they know Sammy Davis Jr.?
School systems across the land must infuse our history into the curriculum and have teachers actively engaged in it.
Colleges and universities must enhance their courses to include us.
If for example, a college student has a drama or acting major, they should know who Paul Robeson is.
In all our circles, we must keep pressing for recognition and respect.
Of course, on this journey for recognition, there will be those who try to thwart it.
Those forces have tried before and failed, and it will be no different this time.
They will fail again.
Our history as African Americans will always shine bright and will never lose its power.
