February is Black History Month and here at Parlé Magazine although the focus is urban entertainment we want to take time out this month to highlight and focus on some of the people and events in Black History that oftentimes go unnoticed. Every day this month we'll highlight something new in hopes of reminding everyone that the journey continues.
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Written by Duan Sanderson
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2011 marks the 86th year that this great country has annually acknowledged in the month of February the achievements of its African American population. Blacks and Black History Month has come along way in that short span of time. What started out as “Negro History Week” back in 1926, fifty years later became what we now know as “Black History Month”. In my research I was unable to uncover the reason for the extension but one can only speculate that it became obvious that our multitudinous contributions could not be covered in just one week. And, now we are able to add to that long list of inventions, records broken, etcetera; the boastful fact of an African American President of these United States.
Negro History Week was the second week of February between the Birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The week long celebration was started by Dr. Carter G Woodson who was the son of former slaves. But, even with his humble beginnings Woodson went on to earn a PhD from Harvard University. (The first African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University was Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, who founded the NAACP on the 12th of this month 1909, and whose birthday is on the 23rd). Dr.Woodson began the Negro History Week after becoming dissatisfied with the lack of presence that African Americans had in the history books. The week was designed to bring to the attention and magnify the accomplishments of African Americans. It has achieved that and more especially after evolving into a month long celebration.
Thankfully we now know what may have otherwise been hidden or merely passed down like a bad game of telephone with inaccurate information. Now young African Americans can review the accomplishments of other individuals that had the same “limitations” in terms of skin color, and yet still made significant contributions. With this insight we should be empowered realizing that the real limitations are now limited to each individual and we have more access and opportunities than ever before even to the doors of the White House. We should never play the race card considering this rich history of ours even if it is abundantly clear that a situation is racially motivated. I am sure that if President Obama had lost the election we would have said that it was because he was black. But he didn’t lose and that takes the excuse out of our mouths. We can tell our children that they can be anything they want to be if they set their mind to it and this includes areas we have not yet touched. We can be the first in many more areas as we have been the first in so many already.
As we celebrate our history of accomplishments throughout the balance of this month let us teach our children and each other. Let us review the impact African Americans have made to daily life. When you comb your hair, tie your shoes, pass through a stop light or even use a remote remember and appreciate those who made it possible.
2011 marks the 86th year that this great country has annually acknowledged in the month of February the achievements of its African American population. Blacks and Black History Month have come along way in that short span of time. What started out as “Negro History Week” back in 1926, fifty years later became what we now know as “Black History Month”. In my research I was unable to uncover the reason for the extension but one can only speculate that it became obvious that our multitudinous contributions could not be covered in just one week. And, now we are able to add to that long list of inventions, records broken, etcetera; the boastful fact of an African-American President of these United States.
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Written by K
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Phillis Wheatley, a girl named after the ship that brought her from the continent where she was born, bought by prominent "progressive" John Wheatley as a servant for his wife, was known by many in "her" time, maybe as an insightful woman, as well as the first native African person to have some of their writing published.
Phillis, being adopted by a relatively "open-minded" family, and having a interest to do so, had learned enough by the time she was a young girl to display her ability to comprehend relatively "complex" literature and alike. The Wheatley's, having taken note of her inclination to literature and alike, "took stock" in her "learning", per say. With the mind that she had shaped with her countless experiences and thoughts, Phillis wrote her first poem that was to be published and appear in a newspaper called "The Newport Mercury" on December 21, 1767. A poem simply and seemingly "accurately" titled "On Messrs Hussey and Coffin":
“Did Fear and Danger so perplex your Mind,
As made you fearful of the Whistling Wind?
Was it not Boreas knit his angry Brow
Against you? or did Consideration bow?"
-Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley (1753 – December 5, 1784), a girl named after the ship that brought her from the continent where she was born (Senegal, Africa), bought by prominent "progressive" John Wheatley as a servant for his wife, was known by many in "her" time, maybe as an insightful woman, as well as the first native African person to have some of their writing published.
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Written by Duan Sanderson
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With this winter’s frigid temperatures and barrage of snow and ice storms we can all show a healthy appreciation for heat. Just a couple of weeks ago 49 out of 50 states had snow on the ground, including Hawaii. Florida, the only state to escape the white flakes still experienced cold temperatures, with the resulting frost damaging many crops. It’s at times like these that we must remember to be thankful to Alice Parker an African-American from Morristown, NJ who invented a gas heating furnace that provided central heating throughout a home or building.
Alice Parker’s brilliant idea was patented back in 1919 and has been invaluable in keeping homes warm, worldwide, since. This idea was not only innovative but it was convenient. No longer do we have to spend time going out to chop wood or buy it and schlep it home. Neither do we have to take risks by keeping fireplaces going through the night. Central heat is now a necessity and a fireplace a luxury.
Also consider that Alice Parker registered her patent as an African-American woman decades before the Women’s Liberation and Civil Rights movements. Do not let excuses pile up in your mind do not continue to manufacture them and express them. Many of the contributions that have been made by African-Americans have been against the odds and with numerous obstacles they could have made excuses for, including race and gender. So let us continue to contribute despite the odds because “Yes, we can“.
With this winter’s frigid temperatures and barrage of snow and ice storms we can all show a healthy appreciation for heat. Just a couple of weeks ago 49 out of 50 states had snow on the ground, including Hawaii. Florida, the only state to escape the white flakes still experienced cold temperatures, with the resulting frost damaging many crops. It’s at times like these that we must remember to be thankful to Alice Parker an African-American from Morristown, NJ who invented a gas heating furnace that provided central heating throughout a home or building.
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Written by Duan Sanderson
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You know what time it is right? If you don’t know the time, look at a clock or your watch (not your mobile phone). Then consider the man who is referred to as the first African American intellectual, Mr. Benjamin Banneker.
Mr. Banneker’s story is so amazing to me because he did not have an education as such but taught himself for the most part.
Though self-taught he still participated in the surveying of the original boundaries of Washington DC during President George Washington’s administration. Participated is the key word. Some people give Banneker more credit than is due in this scenario, that bad game of telephone again. Still a nice little gig for a brother though, especially back then.
Though self-taught Banneker still wrote several almanacs the first of which is considered the first science book by an African American. Then Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson believed in the intellectual inferiority of slaves. I wonder if he changed his mind after he received one of the almanacs from Mr. Banneker.
Though self-taught this astronomer’s almanac did successfully predict a solar eclipse in 1798. Just thought I would throw the date in there so that you realize that he made these accomplishments to our history while slavery was still alive and strong. Yet is should also be noted that Benjamin Banneker was born free.
Just a couple of years ago the District of Columbia Government considered putting Benjamin Banneker’s image on the reverse of a 2009 commemorative quarter. Imagine that, and the quarter is one of the most used coins.
Though self taught Banneker constructed a clock after observing the workings of a pocket watch. This was not the first clock made in America but the clock did strike accurately for several decades from when he constructed it at 22 years old till he died.
Though he was self taught he was also respected as a mathematician even though he may have short changed himself as his chronic alcoholism was said to have contributed to his death. The reckless consumption of alcohol is still a serious problem but we do not have to follow the bad examples of a good man. At the same time if we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it right?
Let’s just give our Banneker best and get our face on some money. So if you can get into school then get educated but even if you can’t get into school, get educated. Because though self taught you can ….. and ….. and …………….
You know what time it is right? If you don’t know the time, look at a clock or your watch (not your mobile phone). Then consider the man who is referred to as the first African American intellectual, Mr. Benjamin Banneker.
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Written by Duan Sanderson
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Today’s black history moment will be dedicated to the first African-American First Lady, Mrs. President, Michelle Obama.
Mrs. Obama is to be applauded most of all for the Health movement that she is beginning. It is more than worthy of applause that we are engaging a program in an area where we have had a reckless neglect. We have either been the #1 obese country in the world or very close to it for the past several decades. We are losing loved ones everyday whose lives may have been spared but for a change in diet. We can all agree it starts at home so let us cooperate and participate lest our children inherit our dis-eases based on diet like heart disease, diabetes, and etcetera. They learn by what they see us preparing and eating. Let us be humble enough to learn some new healthier habits, brave enough to try them, and strong enough to unlearn the previous habits.
People may say what they may. Mrs. Obama came from the South Side of Chicago yet was the salutatorian of her high school. She has graced the halls of Princeton and Harvard Universities and now the White House. I really hope that the reader is able to see throughout the month that we have no excuses for not realizing our fullest potential. None. Jim Robinson her great- great grandfather on her father’s side was a slave in South Carolina. Melvinia Shields her great-great-great grandmother on her mother’s side was also a slave. They would have been proud to know that she did not squander her education but was on the honor roll all four years in high school. But, was it in either of their minds even a possibility, that in just a few generations their blood would be in the White House?
Mrs. Obama steps into the White House in her office of executive support to the President with a graduate degree, which makes her the third first lady in a row, to possess one. Way to catch and carry the baton Mrs. President and continue to run your leg strong.
Today’s black history moment will be dedicated to the first African-American First Lady, Mrs. President, Michelle Obama.
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Written by Annie Fox
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Charles Hamilton Houston was a renowned fighter for minority rights playing a role in nearly every case for Civil Rights between the years of 1930 and 1950. Houston was born in 1895 during a great deal of minority suppression. His father was a practicing lawyer and his mother a hairdresser. He contributes all his success to their desire for him to succeed and providing him with all the tools for success.
Despite being born during such suppressive times he proved triumphant in both his studies as well as his post graduate works. Houston studied at Amherst College in Massachusetts for an Artium Baccalaureatus (A.B.) Degree which he completed in 1915. He was the only African American in his class and also graduated with the honor of valedictorian. From there Houston moved back to D.C. where he taught English and “Negro Literature” at Howard University for two years. As the year 1917 approached America found itself entering World War I. To avoid being drafted and having to possibly serve on the front line, Houston enlisted as an officer where he earned a position at the first Black officers’ training camp, Fort Des Moines in Iowa. Little did he know this step in his life shaped his future in fighting toward civil liberties and equal rights. After witnessing and being part of a prosecution of two black soldiers who were wrongly charged, Houston was quoted saying “the hate and scorn showered on Negro officers by our fellow Americans…convinced me there was no sense in dying for a world ruled by them. I made up my mind that I would never get caught again without knowing my rights; that if luck was with me, and I got through this war, I would study law and use my time fighting for men who could not strike back.” This was the turning point towards the fight for equal rights to all.
After arriving home in 1919 Houston set out to accomplish the goals he set while in the army. Houston enrolled into Harvard law school where after his first year he was elected to the prestigious Harvard Law Review; there he found his legal mentor Felix Frankfurter. After graduating with honors he pursued his doctorate in judicial science under Frankfurter. Houston later went on to work with his father after completing a one year fellowship in Madrid, Spain.
Houston’s first legal case before the U.S. Supreme Court dealt with a man convicted of rape in Oklahoma by an all-white jury and sentenced to death. Houston argued that because historically in Oklahoma Blacks had been denied jury placements based on their race, they were denied due process under the law. The Supreme Court agreed and Houston was the first African-American to successfully represent the NAACP before the highest court.
During his tenure with the NAACP Houston was praised for his work at picking cases to which would begin to erode segregation. Throughout his life he was a brilliant mentor and teacher to many young black law students; becoming a teacher and the Dean at Howard University. One of his greatest successes would come 4 years after his death when his star pupil, Thurgood Marshall, would win the case of Brown vs. Board of Education. This would be the turning point which Houston wanted to see happen through all his hard work towards ending discrimination.
Charles Hamilton Houston was a renowned fighter for minority rights playing a role in nearly every case for Civil Rights between the years of 1930 and 1950. Houston was born in 1895 during a great deal of minority suppression. His father was a practicing lawyer and his mother a hairdresser. He contributes all his success to their desire for him to succeed and providing him with all the tools for success.
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Written by Duan Sanderson
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Let us give a hearty applause to the first African American cardiologist, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.
Dr. Williams is credited with performing the first successful surgery on an organ we should all value more, the heart. James Cornish was stabbed in the chest in a bar fight but got a second lease on life (fifty more years) when Dr. Williams was able to stitch the pericardium of his still beating, yet bleeding heart. The successful open heart surgery was performed in 1893 long before heart surgery was accepted and established.
It so happens that February is not only Black History Month but is also American Heart Month. Studies have shown that heart disease and strokes are the top killers for African Americans, Native Americans, whites, and Hispanics. However, death rates from heart disease and stroke are highest among African Americans. Sadly, the statistics are not only a part of Black history, but also a part of our present reality. Please, let us eat better and exercise so that we can have a little more heart.
Dr. Williams also founded the first non-segregated hospital in America, which was named Provident. Provident would also be a first for hosting the first nursing school for African Americans. My mother and two sisters are nurses today so I personally thank Dr. Daniel Hale Williams for his contributions.
Let us give a hearty applause to the first African-American cardiologist, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.
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Spotlight Feature
Every year around this time music lovers start to anticipate what will be the ill-est sound, dopest verse, and sexiest performer for the rest of the year. So I’d like to officially announce my vote for the category of hottest new rapper to hit the scene. I know, it may seem a bit premature given that new artist pop up every day but New York born lyricist, Yung Nate has been steadily working behind the mic releasing several smash singles and penning future classics for other artists alike. With a down to earth and relatable swag as the forefront of his talented persona, underneath lies a strong ambition to express his love for music, being exactly who he is and sharing that with his fans. Check out the dialogue below for more on his latest album Meant to Be Broken and his plans for changing the art of rapping as we know it
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