Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992 TAG: 9202110372
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: VERNIE L. BOLDEN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ACHIEVING AGAINST THE ODDS
FEBRUARY has been designated the month for celebration of an African-American history of achievements, accomplishments and contributions.Interestingly, African-American History Week, now African-American History Month, was the brainchild of the late Carter G. Woodson, scholar, writer, historian and linguist. Woodson was educated at Berea (Ky.) College, the University of Chicago and Harvard University.
Woodson's educational achievements were monumental considering the fact he was a seasoned adult before completing his high-school education in his early 20s. After graduating from Douglass High School in Huntington, W.Va. - a school named after the great American protest leader, Frederick Douglass, a former slave who rose to prominence as a lecturer and writer of some distinction - Woodson began a journey that would lead him to preserve the history of his people.
When we survey some of the accomplishments made by African-Americans, we recognize that they have persevered against many obstacles: They have been inventive, resourceful and imaginative.
Many creative contributions of the ancestors of former slaves still appear today as useful and productive offerings to the American and world communities. Not only may we applaud the inventions and achievements - such as the clock, the lawn mower, the gas mask, the traffic light, blood plasma and open-heart surgery (first performed by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) - we can also express gratitude for many other time-saving devices.
Notable inventions include the range (by T. A. Carington, 1876); the cotton chopper (W. H. Richardson, 1886); the oil stove and refrigerator (J. Standard, 1889 and 1891); the ironing board (Sarah Boone, 1892); and the earth-moving machine (Emmanuel M. Moore). William Purvis designed his first machine for making paper bags in 1882. Andrew J. Beard obtained a patent on an automatic car-coupling device in 1897. A rather knowledgeable man, Elbert R. Robinson, invented the chilled-grooved wheel used by all railroad freight cars.
What marvelous developments in a fledging society bursting forth to claim its place among nations of the world!
Perhaps few people are aware that Horace King, born a slave, became one of the foremost bridge engineers in the South before the Civil War. Another fellow by the name of Lewis Temple was brash enough to invent the toggle harpoon for whaling; it more than doubled the harvest for an emerging New England industry.
Granville T. Woods, a prolific ethnic son, gave us many developments in the field of telegraphy, including telegraphing from moving trains. His inventions increased communications in an expanding nation that was struggling on the verge of an industrial and technological revolution.
As we march across the breathtaking expanse of American history, we owe much appreciation to African-Americans whose accomplishments in many other fields are noteworthy.
Important contributions were made by Langston Hughes in poetry, Richard Wright in literature, Alain Locke in philosophy, Charles Drew in medicine, Patrick Healy in education, Matthew Henson in world exploration, Ernest Just in biology, Kenneth Clark and Nancy Boyd-Franklin in psychology and marital therapy, Benjamin Carson in surgery, Maxie Maultsby in psychotherapy, Douglas Wilder in politics, Louis Sullivan in government, John H. Johnson in magazine publishing, James Evans in theological education, Bill Cosby in entertainment, Carl Rowan in journalism, and the Pointer Sisters in pop music.
Undoubtedly, fuller recognition of these and other attainments by African-Americans, along with similar achievements by multiple ethnic contributors from diverse backgrounds and races, would go far in acknowledging and providing appropriate credit due the triumphs and ingenuity of people of color.
The welcome attention provided cross-cultural achievements today in some textbooks and in the entertainment media will enhance the understanding and acceptance of diverse accomplishments in our pluralistic society.
A concluding note: As we move into the 21st century, it will be highly desirable that the worldwide achievements of people of color will be fully integrated in every sector of society.
Only then can we begin to genuinely recognize the composing genius of George Bridgetower of Poland, the psychological wisdom of Saint Augustine of Africa, the writing skill of Alexandre Dumas of France, the brillance of Alexander Pushkin of Russia, or the military versatility of the general Hannibal.
The future lies before us; we must grasp every opportunity that affords cooperation, unity and multi-ethnic progress!