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.
Phillis Wheatley - First Published African-American
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.
Alice H. Parker - True African American Heat
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.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams - First African American Cardiologist
Let us give a hearty applause to the first African-American cardiologist, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.
Mrs. President, Michelle Obama
Today’s black history moment will be dedicated to the first African-American First Lady, Mrs. President, Michelle Obama.
Althea Gibson - Early Black Dominance in Sports
Before the power and ferocity of Venus and Serena Williams, there was the elegance and grace of Althea Gibson. Born 25 August 1927, she showed a keen interest in tennis at a relatively early age. At the age of 14, Gibson began taking tennis lessons at Harlem’s Cosmopolitan Club. The rest, as they say, is history.
Charles Hamilton Houston - Civil Rights Attorney
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.
Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth - Slavery to Service
Talk about heart. This soldier has truly earned his stripes and so we salute Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth.
Allensworth was born a slave in Kentucky back in 1842. However, his less than humble beginnings did not prevent him from greatness. We first get a glimpse of his heart when he educated himself illegally. Later his next brave move would be running off and joining the army. (Needless to say a slave would receive severe punishment for being illegally educated or trying to run off. The punishment for rebellion in some cases was even death.) Along the way Allen Allensworth earned a teaching certificate and became one of the Army’s first Black chaplains but by his retirement in 1906 he was the highest ranking African-American commissioned officer in our military.
This piece could have ended with the last paragraph for all the accomplishments of the Colonel mentioned therein from slavery to service are significant and impressive. But perhaps the most impressive fact is that Allen Allensworth actually began a town in California after he left the service. Allensworth, California is the only all-black township that was founded by Blacks. All of the financing for the streets they laid out, the buildings they erected and the houses they lived in came from Blacks. Even the government of the township was all Blacks.
Wow, the big man actually owned his own town. Makes you wonder what Allen -s -worth? But more importantly makes you want think BIG, step your game up and make history like a soldier.
Today the state of California has recognized the pioneering efforts of Allen Allensworth and has adopted his township as a state historic park.
Talk about heart. This soldier has truly earned his stripes and so we salute Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth.
Allensworth was born a slave in Kentucky back in 1842. However, his less than humble beginnings did not prevent him from greatness. We first get a glimpse of his heart when he educated himself illegally. Later his next brave move would be running off and joining the army. (Needless to say a slave would receive severe punishment for being illegally educated or trying to run off. The punishment for rebellion in some cases was even death.) Along the way Allen Allensworth earned a teaching certificate and became one of the Army’s first Black chaplains but by his retirement in 1906 he was the highest ranking African-American commissioned officer in our military.
