Celebrating Black history and education on campus
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Black History Month remains one of the most important months of the year where we recognize the influential and historical Black figures of all time. Here are a few names you may not have heard before.
Last February, The Lamron discussed why Black History Month was February, the shortest month of the year. This year, I wanted to change the topic and focus on less well-known historical Black figures. In our classrooms, we have discussed Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Angela Davis, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, and other recognized historical figures. Even so, there are so many others who may not be widely recognized for their accomplishments. It is never too late to learn more about the people who fought for what we now have. So, let’s continue this conversation about Black history.
Marsha P. Johnson was an American gay liberation activist. Johnson was an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and played a pivotal role in the Stonewall uprising of 1969. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017) celebrated her life, relationships, character, and mission for LGBTQ+ youth to prosper in a community where they can be accepted and loved for who they are. Even when the odds were against her, she always wore a smile and responded with kindness towards others, regardless of their background.
Shirley Anita Chisholm was an American politician. In 1968, she became the first African American woman to be elected into Congress, and in 1972, she was the first woman to seek nomination for the position of President of the United States. Chisholm served seven terms in the US House of Representatives, where she continued to advocate for women and minorities. Chisholm, of course, was met with discrimination from the Democratic Party, which made multiple attempts to block her from participating in televised debates. Despite this, she maintained her status and garnered support for her campaign, “The Chisholm Trail,” by students, women, and others who wanted to see change.
Bayard Rustin was an openly gay Black man during the Jim Crow era. At the time, homosexuality was considered a mental illness, which landed Rustin in jail for a time. Rustin served two years in federal prison for refusing to fight in World War II. He was a pacifist and believed that violence was not the solution. His allyship with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. led him to be a key organizer in the 1963 March on Washington. Rustin convinced King to adopt nonviolent acts as a protest tactic. The March on Washington brought over 200,000 peaceful protestors.
Gordon Parks was an artist, activist, author, distinguished composer, filmmaker, and photographer with a deep commitment to social justice. From the 1940s to the 2000s, Parks regularly documented African American life, primarily focusing on race, poverty, civil rights, and urban life. Parks famously called his camera his “weapon of choice” and used it as a tool to fight poverty, racism, and other damaging societal norms. “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera.” The Gordon Parks Foundation was created in his honor following his death in 2006, and they continue his mission.
Dr. Charles Richard Drew was a renowned surgeon and medical researcher. Drew helped develop America’s first blood banking program in the 1940s and was coined “the father of the blood bank.” Dr. Drew studied the storage conditions for blood in order to determine the best conditions for storage. This allowed for storing blood for a week—a huge breakthrough for doctors and nurses treating wounded soldiers during World War II. His contributions made him one of the most important scientists of the twentieth century.
It is important to understand and recognize the importance of these historical individuals. Without their efforts, we would not be where we are today. These figures paved the way for us, ensuring that our character can not —and should not— be attacked based on the color of our skin.