Continued from page 1
We celebrate contributions of Dr. Charles Drew, blood plasma founder and Garrett Morgan, creator of automatic traffic lights; whose inventions helped revolutionize health and transportation industry.
We celebrate Nobel Peace Prizes of Ralph J. Bunche and Martin Luther King; two amicable men dedicated to world peace.
We celebrate athletic prowess of Jesse Owens, racing across finish line at 1936 Olympics; Jackie Robinson, breaking baseball’s color barrier. And wizardry of Michael Jordan, showing world why he was named “the Greatest Athlete of 20th Century.” Similarly, we celebrate brilliance of Venus and Serena Williams, taking tennis to new heights, and beauty of Tiger Woods’ golf stroke; sturdy, on target, an exhibition of immense talent.
Lastly, we celebrate diversity of our hair; curly, natural, permed, straight, waved and weaved and beige, red, brown and blackness of our skin.
That is why we celebrate. To tell our history in our own words, as only African-Americans can do. In observing Black History Month, it is good to focus on actions and accomplishments of dignitaries past and present. However, attention should also focus on lesser known heroes and heroines. We know that were it not for Dr. King, opportunities for African-Americans would be virtually impossible. Similarly, without Harriet Tubman, slaves seeking refuge would not have found solace via Underground Railroad.
But what about those pioneers at local and state level? Those anonymous men and women who paved way, so that future generations could enjoy amenities entitled to all people? Their contributions should not be confined to musty, photo albums and faded newspaper clippings. They too were instrumental in establishing democracy of our modern history, and deserve to be enshrined in scripted walls of immortals. In retrospect, all African-Americans have made impressionable contributions big and small, to dazzling archives that personify Black History.
A freelance writer since 1989, Peggy Butler has written for various magazines and Internet publications including Impact Press, Africana.com., TimBook Tu, and The Black World Today. Moreover, Butler who lists collecting 60s memorabilia among her hobbies, writes news, features, sports and entertainment articles, as well as commentaries and humor pieces. Visit her website at: www.Psbwrite.com
Copyright 2005 by Peggy Butler