Black(history) Tuesday

Yesterday, I used the Word of the Week to pour out a little of information on Ralph Bunche. So in continuing with that theme I want to a mention a few more note worthy names of Black History that are not civil right or Harlem Renaissance or pop icons.

I'm going to start with another person whom is embedded in my mind since elementary school. No other than Benjamin Banneker. Now his name is pretty popular. You may have heard of high schools and subsidized housing projects named after him but that's not enough to know.

Banneker was born in 1731 so it was still slave times and despite that he was making history. Not Just history for African Americans - but for the world. Banneker was a mathematician and astronomer, mind you that this was well before computers and calculators and such. Its said that he constructed a working wooden clock, the first of its kind, that operated for 50 something odd years. Also, near the age of 60, he made ephemeris', which are astronomical tables that tell when the next lunar and solar eclipses is, and things of the like, will occur. With Banneker being from such a long time ago there are many variations to his life story but the claim of his intelligence rings loud from any version.

This is Matthew A. Henson. His name is not as popular in black history but he was the first person to stand at the north pole. At the age of 12 he had an interest in sailing but due to racism he stopped at age 18. After that he had began going on exploring expeditions with a US Navy sailor. They had made a few unsuccessful attempts to explore the north pole. It was not until Henson spent time and learned how Eskimos were able to live in the frigid cold climate, that they were able to make to the north pole in 1909.

Henson wrote a book about reaching the north pole and his other explorations but did not receive proper notoriety until after his death.

The first Female American to become a self made millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove. Her claim to fame was the manufacturing company she founded that made hair and beauty products for black women.

Rather than just go over her biography I just want to make a few notes. I'm shocked that this is not a person that is popular in black history. This woman went from working in the cotton fields in in the late 1800's to becoming a millionaire.

I mean, were would we be without the hot comb?

But I don't know, that just seems really awesome to me.


and with that said...

Dream Variations
by Langston Hughes

To fling my arms wide

In some place of the sun,

To whirl and to dance

Till the white day is done.

Then rest at cool evening

Beneath a tall tree

While night comes on gently,

Dark like me-

That is my dream!

To fling my arms wide

In the face of the sun,

Dance! Whirl! Whirl!

Till the quick day is done.

Rest at pale evening...

A tall, slim tree...

Night coming tenderly

Black like me.