What Do You Know About The Successes in Black History?

by Karen L. Wisotzkey

You may already know that track and field athlete, Jesse Owens, was the first athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympic game. You probably are familiar with such namesakes as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong for their contributions to jazz music, and Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays for their remarkable baseball careers. Even in America’s public school system, many of us learned verses of historical African-American songs - Negro Spirituals like "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel"; the storytelling song of "John Henry" who died with a hammer in his hand; and Civil Rights famed "We Shall Overcome."

Typically, Black Americans have reached their most noted fame through their talents in music and sports; although, we have been taught the impact of individuals like Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the history of America. Movies have been produced that reinforce our knowledge of the history of blacks: "Roots" gave us an in-depth look into the toils of slavery; "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored People" gave us a deeper appreciation for the wounds of segregation; and "Malcolm X" illustrated a stirring hate between races. But even with America’s attempts to educate its people and give light to those African-Americans who have greatly contributed to the shaping of our nation, many people still remain unaware of the many accomplishments which have been credited to Black Americans.

The celebration of Black History Month represents an attempt to have people of all races focus on the historical presence of Blacks in our country. Throughout the entire month of February, elaborate calendars of events are published, presenting innumerable opportunities for people to share in the celebration of the African-American culture. We celebrate the accomplishments of modern-day artists. We sing the praises of the first Blacks to reach any number of superior positions in society and the first Blacks to seize the same opportunities as previously given to white Americans. Awareness is clearly raised for the well-deserving citizens who have and are still making their marks in America.

Through America’s tendency to separate black from white, we still fail to give Black Americans their rightfully integrated place in American History. By our own history’s doing, it has become the exception that Black Americans have surpassed the oppression and obtained recognition for their accomplishments, when, in reality, many Black Americans have been the first to achieve certain successes that have been crucial to our current way of life as Americans. Let’s take a look at just a few of the contributions for which we can thank the ambition of Black Americans:

Augustus Jackson of Philadelphia invented Ice Cream in 1832.

N.M. Estevanico is credited with discovering Arizona and New Mexico in 1583.

Matthew Henson was credited, along with Admiral Perry, for discovering the North Pole in 1909.

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams was the first person to perform open heart surgery.

Charles Drew was the founder of the blood bank through his discovery of ways of preserving plasma in blood banks for emergency needs.

Garrett A. Morgan invented the gas mask, which was originally designed for rescue operations in mines. Mr. Morgan also invented the Electric Traffic Signal for which General Electric paid $40,000.

Benjamin Banneker built the first clock ever built in America.

Lloyd Augustus Hall revolutionized the meat-packing industry with his discoveries of curing salts for preserving and processing meats.

Jan Ernst Matzeliger invented the "lasting machine" which mechanically attaches the top of the shoe to the leather sole.

Just a few other historical tidbits prove that African-Americans have been recognized as valuable contributors to society:

Benjamin Banneker (engineer) was a member of the surveying team which laid out the city plan for our nation’s capital.

General George Washington wrote Phyllis Wheatley (poetess) a letter of commendation for her verses.

Booker T. Washington participated in the organization of The General Education Board in 1910.

Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (concert singer) sang at a command performance at Buckingham Palace for Queen Victoria.

Black History Month is only the beginning of America becoming aware of the important part Black Americans have played in our history. In local libraries, all of the information listed here, and much, much more is right at our fingertips. If we take the responsibility to remedy our own ignorance and learn the important facts of our history, we can begin to proudly integrate the black and white of our society and build a nation that thrives on and appreciates the contributions of all of our people. And, by all means, when Black History Month is long past and the sweltering heat of summer leaves you anxiously wanting for ice cream, remember to thank Augustus Jackson!