Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 80 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
NLCC honors Wright
Published Sunday, February 17, 2008
NATCHEZ — One of Natchez’s most famous native sons, Richard Wright, will be honored this week throughout the 19th annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration.
The conference theme is “Richard Wright, the South, and the World: A Centennial Celebration.” Headquarters is the Natchez Convention Center on Main Street.
“The conference will allow us to get acquainted with the human side of Richard Wright while we explore his life, his works and his continuing influence,” said Carolyn Vance Smith, longtime educator at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez.
Smith and Co-Lin founded the NLCC in 1990.
“Richard Wright was born on a plantation a few miles east of Natchez in 1908,” she said. “Though he had only a ninth-grade education, and though he had to overcome desperate poverty, he achieved international fame for his writing.”
Wright died in Paris, France, in 1960.
“The NLCC is kicking off a world-wide tribute to Richard Wright this year. We expect large crowds, including numerous Wright relatives from across the country.”
Wright is renowned for such works as the novel, “Native Son;” the fictionalized autobiography, “Black Boy;” and a collection of stories, “Uncle Tom’s Children,” which was chosen Book-of-the-Year in 2008 by a statewide project called “Mississippi Reads.”
“Since 1940, when “Native Son” sold hundreds of thousands of copies in a matter of weeks, many of his books have been bestsellers and continue to sell,” said Jerry W. Ward Jr., professor at Dillard University, New Orleans, and a nationally known Wright scholar.
“He is one of the most powerful writers of the 20th century,” Ward said. “These days, school children routinely read and study his works. He is in all the anthologies.”
Ward conducted a year-long series of monthly discussions in Natchez during 2007, focusing each month on a different work by Richard Wright. In total, hundreds of people attended the sessions.
The sessions were sponsored by the NLCC and the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American History and Culture and were hosted at various sites in the Miss-Lou.
Ward also helped devise the programming for the 2008 NLCC. Speakers on the agenda are:
Keynote speaker Julia Wright of Paris, daughter of Richard Wright and an internationally known author and scholar, 11 a.m., Thursday, “Children of Oppressed Giants: Living with the Legacy of Pain”
Former National Endowment for the Humanities Director William Ferris, now of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 9 a.m., Thursday, “Richard Wright, Willie Dixon, and Eudora Welty: Music and Literary Genius”
Photography expert Maren Stange of Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, N.Y., 9 a.m., Friday, “Richard Wright and Photography”
Wright scholar Jerry W. Ward Jr. and Robert Butler, professor at Canisius College, Buffalo, N.Y., at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, “An Overview of ‘Uncle Tom’s Children,’ “ including a discussion of the story, “Long Black Song” and how it was transferred from page to screen
Jerry W. Ward Jr., “ ‘Native Son’: The Novel and the Plays,” at 3:30 p.m., Friday, preparing the audience for a performance that evening of the play, “Native Son,” at the Natchez Little Theatre
“King of Blues History” Paul Oliver of England, at 9 a.m., Saturday, “A White Man Listened: Richard Wright and the Blues”
“Queen of Creole Cooking” Leah Chase of New Orleans, at 11:45 a.m., Friday, “Creole-izing Richard Wright”
Robert Bray of Middle Tennessee State University, 2 p.m., Thursday, “Mississippi Goes to the Movies: A Look at How and Why the Works of Richard Wright, William Faulkner, and Tennessee Williams Were Adapted for the Cinema”
Howard Rambsy II of Southern Illinois University, 4:30 p.m., Thursday, “Covering ‘Black Boy’: A Visual-Literary History of Richard Wright’s Autobiography”
David A. Taylor of Alexandria, Va., 10:30 a.m., Friday, “Richard Wright and the Federal Writers’ Project,” with references to Taylor’s new documentary, “Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers’ Project”
The scholar John W. Lowe of Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 2:15 p.m. Friday, “Richard Wright and Transnational Culture in ‘Pagan Spain’”
The scholar Maryemma Graham of the University of Kansas, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Richard Wright and Margaret Walker”
Other elements of the Celebration are:
The unveiling of the Richard Wright Memorial Highway marker in formal, free, public ceremonies at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, in Washington, at the intersection of U.S. Highways 84 and 61, with remarks by U.S. Senator Thad Cochran and former Mississippi Governor William Winter. Members of the Wright family, legislators and local officials will attend.
The play, “Native Son,” by Richard Wright and Paul Green, to be presented by the Natchez Little Theatre for NLCC patrons on Friday and for the general public on Saturday and Sunday.
The first-ever “Richard Wright Ramble,” a guided afternoon tour on Saturday of sites in Natchez and Southwest Mississippi related to Wright, his family and his works, developed by family historian Charles Wright of Natchez
An awards ceremony Feb. 23 honoring three exceptional Southern writers: Lerone Bennett Jr., now of Chicago and a noted author and longtime editor of “Ebony” magazine; Brooks Haxton, now of Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., and an award-winning poet; and Alfred Uhry, now of New York, N.Y., most famed for his Pulitzer Prize-winning play and Academy Award-winning screenplay, “Driving Miss Daisy”
Ellen Douglas Writing Workshops Sunday, one on documentary film making by Mark LaFrancis of Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez, and one on haiku writing by Jianqing Zheng of Mississippi Valley State University
Films, including the premiere of a documentary, “Richard Wright: A Force for Right,” by Mark LaFrancis and students at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez; “Richard Wright: Black Boy,” produced by Madison Davis Lacy Jr.; and “Driving Miss Daisy”
Two low-cost meals with menus based on Richard Wright’s favorite foods, as suggested by Julia Wright, a supper Thursday sponsored by Natchez Museum of African-American History and Culture and a luncheon Friday at the Carriage House restaurant
A benefit reception and supper at the mansion, The Towers, home of Ginger Hyland, Saturday
A free reception Friday at the Angeletty House, hosted by the regional chapter of the National Coalition of One Hundred Black Women and by “The Southern Quarterly,” a journal of the arts of the South, published by The University of Southern Mississippi
Another free reception Saturday at the Convention Center, hosted by the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, The University of Mississippi, chaired by CSSC advisory committee member Sherry Jones of Natchez
Most of the NLCC is free. Registration is not required.
Some events are ticketed. Those events include:
NAPAC supper Thursday at $20
Carriage House luncheon Friday at $20
The play, “Native Son” at $15
The Richard Wright Ramble guided tour Saturday at $20
Benefit reception and supper at The Towers Saturday at $125, with $100 tax-deductible
Ellen Douglas Writing Workshops Sunday at $15
The NLCC is sponsored by Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez National Historical Park, Mississippi Department of Archives and History and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Partial funding comes from the Mississippi Humanities Council and the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Information and tickets are available by calling 601-446-1289 or toll-free 866-296-6522, e-mailing kkaho6769@st.colin.edu; or visiting www.colin.edu/nlcc.
Comments
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A remembrance of important people and events . . . (a continuation).
41. Joseph Dickerson invented the arm for the record player.
42. Madeline M. Turner invented the fruit press.
43. A. L. Lewis invented a window cleaner.
44. David A. Fusher invented the furniture caster.
45. J. F. Pickering invented the air ship (Blimp)
46. Mildred a. Smith invented a family relationship card game.
47. Purdy & Sadgwar invented the folding chair.
48. Mary Moore invented a pain relief composition.
49. Larry Christie invented a pillow utilizing air/water.
50. Mary Kies invented a technique for weaving straw with silk.
*************************
DO YOU KNOW WHO DESIGNED A NEW AND IMPROVED GAS HEATING FURNACE TO KEEP YOU WARM??
On especially cold days, it's great to have that wonderful heating system in your house! Ever wonder who designed the system that keeps you warm today?
In 1919, Alice H. Parker of Morristown, New Jersey, invented a new and improved gas heating furnace that provided central heating.
****************************** It's Black History Month! Lets celebrate together!!!!!! ******************************
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 4:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ijohnson........has a black person invented anything in the last 20 yrs?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 10:20 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 10:33 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 10:56 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the life of a literary figure. What's even more outstanding is that this Natchez native did not allow the idealogies of that day (which included discrimination, racism, social-inequality, etc...) to restrict his thinking process. He obviously realized that his unique qualities would be/were rejected by mainstream Natchez, and as a result, he lived in some fantastic places. This is not to say the Mr. Right was not faced with those same thought patterns in other places, but we know the South.
Mr. Right's legacy is one that is a true representation of why we study Black History.
Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.
Carter G. Woodson
Posted by aesa (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Richard Wright was not born on the pretty side of the railroad tracks, and his books are not about the pretty side of the railraod tracks.
We always cling to the pretty part of our town...we need to acknowledge and honor the not so pretty parts also.
We should especially honor Mr. Wright...his early works are about us...about all of us!!!
Let's "do all we can"
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Richard Wright wrote, in depth, about this racist society we live in . . . that's why he moved to Paris, France. It is a shame that, in 2008, we still have people promoting racism and bigotry!
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Wright was a very gifted man . I just wonder why it took so long for this to be brouht to light . I quess sometimes people just get lost in the shuffle . I am very happy to know he's back in our lives . We need to find more great people (black or white) that has done great things from our area. Maybe some of our sclool teachers could challenge their students to finding some of these people . Wouldn't that be neat ! Maybe if a little more pride was instilled in our youth we wouldn't have so many social issues in our community today . American by birth Southern by the grace of God !
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see I mispelled a couple of words . I'll take my 40 lashes.
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Southenbelle, no need for lashes (especially 40)! Human beings make mistakes. We learn from our mistakes (not forgetting them, in hopes that we won't repeat them),, and move forward. That's life!!
Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ijohnson, racism goes both ways!
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by aesa (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
shedevil...the name of the town is Natchez, an Indian name.
We were ALL brought here!!!
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
aesa, now that's history!!!
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
((ijohnson)) I had some extra time this morning so I looked back on some of your 821 comments & it seems you have been a racist pain in the rear for a long time. Long before I started posting.
You are a miserable old soul with lots of time to sit on your butt & critize people & look up black inventors. You are exactly the kind of person that gives blacks a bad name!
Posted by kayce (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can remember reading Native Son and Black Boy in high school. I enjoyed both books. How I wish I could attend this event.
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((sentas)) just like ((ijohnson)) you are so easily fooled. It's so amazing how some peope fall for anything they are told. I could tell you I have gone to the moon & you would would believe it. Stupidity is your main problem. Open your eyes & think & you will know who I am! As for my sidekick chihuahua do you really believe it exist? Boy this game with the two of you is fun!!!!!!!
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Comments like this should be removed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nuff said.
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(( Krogers)) you said it all up perfect!!!!!!!!!
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it a problem that we have Black History Month? It is not our faults that we have one. It is not our fault that the other races and nationalities don't have one either. Some of you have spent the whole month on here arguing about why we have one and trying to use our downfalls against us. You can argue, call us what you want, it exists and will exist next year and years to come. You said you want balance, well you will never get it. The bad of Blacks is being broadcasted everyday of the year, and because a month was set aside to show the good that some of us did (and are doing), you find it a problem. Say what you want, because Black History Month is here, and by the looks of it, it is not going anywhere any time soon.
Posted by theduke (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((vidalia1)) why should ((Krogers)) be comment be removed? Does the truth hurt?
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No, the truth doesn't hurt, but his truth has nothing to do with why we have Black History Month, although it has some truth to it.
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Could it be I stayed away to long?"
Krogers,
Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.
Carter G. Woodson
Every ethnic community faces issues. Individuals, know matter what, need help. The majority of school shootings have been committed by white anglo-saxton teenagers. The white anglo saxton teenager (in surburbia)has more resources available, which means a greater opportuntity to get in trouble. However, the difference between the white anglo saxton teenager and the black teenager is that when the white teenager gets in trouble, in most cases his/her parents have the financial means to "fix" the situation (fix refering to being able to afford sufficient legal representation).
I am proud that there is a Black History Month, and take pride in the accomplishments of those that have come before me. I'm encouraged, because those that came before me, didn't have the opportunities that I've enjoyed (am enjoying) because of the sacrifices that they made. We study and learn about the contributions of white anglo saxtons through out the entire academic year, in academia it's call "U.S. History."
Krogers, if you have any other questions concerning Black History, please feel free to ask, and I'll make an attempt to answer them to the best of my ability!
Posted by peaceout (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
for someone who just got the best free advertising they could ask for he sure does'nt seem to appreciate it one bit.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good one peaceout!!
Posted by peaceout (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks say!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
no prob!!!
Posted by aesa (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The last reference to Richard Wright was over 20 postings ago.
Can you guys that can't stay on topic all meet over at myspace or match.com and solve the problems of the world?
They have carjacking, and hijacking...and now we have "postjacking" or "commentjacking"...either way you got a "jack"...now we just need the other half of the donkey? LOL!!!!
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on February 18, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh ha ha aesa you are SO funny! May I ask what your comment had to do with the article?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 18, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job Krogers! I to am getting so tired of all the black/white stuff. So many people of all races work to make our world a better place, why can't we recognize all of them? Why must we recognize ONLY the black people? And remember most of these black people are partly white.
Why do so many people think this war is misguided when the insurgents are using mentally retarded women to carry their bombs for them? Could it be they are running out of volunteers? Could the terrorists be concerned that the US is beating them down and they are just hoping for the liberal democrat to win the election? Sound like it to me and I don't even have to go to a "wacko website" to find out that - just listen to the news people, and pay attention to what is going on around you.
Sentas - now how much of your money are you going to give to the poor, and how much of your time will you volunteer to help the needy? Will I see you building the next Habitat Home, or working at the Stewpot? And hey, I'll take a good trained guard dog any day. They save lives all the time.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, ((sentas)) you must know by now where ((freedom42)) is coming from! She talks out of both sides of her mouth. She states, " . . . so many people of all races work to make our world a better place, why can't we recognize all of them?" Yeah, right!!! If you really believed what you said, you wouldn't be complaining about observing Black History Month.
Then you say, "And remember most of these black people are partly white." Well, what YOU need to remember is that most of your great, great, grandparents were fed from the breast of one of our great, great, great grandmothers. How's that for history!!!
As for volunteering for Habitat FOR HUMANITY, I was a volunteer for them over 20 years ago~~when you didn't even know their name. I am currently a consultant with them today, not to mention all the other countless organizations I do volunteer work with. So, don't flatter yourself with your self-serving crap! Like I stated a short time ago, you reek of "crap". You're so full of it until it's oozing out of your pores and polluting the precious air we breathe!
I'm sick of all you cry babies complaining and whining about any and everything that pertains to Blacks. What you really try to project is the notion that everything White is right and anything that pertains to Blacks must be flawed and suspect.
Well, if it weren't for white privilege, a great majority of you would not have a third of what you have today. So, if you really want world peace and harmony, change your tune.
When I first began posting on this site, I did not attack anyone nor did I put down the White race or any other race. However, day in and day out, White posters wrote the most vile and insensitive stuff you could ever read. Hateful, spiteful and racist crap was posted on the most innocent articles. Every article that pertained to a Black person was marred by your racist remarks. It was only after reading so much of it, I began to post remarks to the contrary and would question the thinking behind those racist posts. But your posts spoke volumes, "How dare she speak up for Black people -- we've been having so much fun beating them down and trampling all over them, then she comes along and throws a monkey wrench in it. How dare she!!!!"
Needless to say, I have become a target of every racist on this site. It's been "open season" on ((ijohnson)) for quite some time. But I am still standing!!! As a matter of fact, I have several more cheeks you can choose from . . . take your pick!
Posted by southern_bell (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You go "ijohnson"".... First of all let me start by saying, I never meant for anything I posted on here to be racist. I made a few comments on your remarks, some I regret and some I just spoke the truth. Same as you. But I am not racist by any means. I have black friends and I have white friends. And I have black enemies and white ones too. I just think that all these Black Inventors information is getting a wee bit out of hand.
I know you were challanged and you have proven your point!! I never knew their was that many and I have enjoyed reading all of them. I will continue to post my comments on any subject I read. But when someone attacks me I will attack back, just as you do.
Posted by peaceout (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
there are a few ppl on this site who post comments so racist that i don't know how they look at their own reflection in the mirror. and most of the time it's the ones that shout the loudest how God-Fearing they are. how can any of you feel good about speaking that way to another human being? i'm amazed at what i see ppl say on this site and some of you want to go on about chit-chatting!? idle chatter is better than what some ppl say here~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Last time I read Biology the only thing passed through milk were nutrients, not gene's. And for your info my family didn't even get to the U.S. until the early 1900's so my great greats were certainly not nourished by one of yours. And oh yes one of the first postings I ever read of yours was calling me a racist. Oh poor poor you. I have broken my own rule by replying to you ijohnson. Sorry about that.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And Sentas, you are certainly the dumb one if you don't think the eyes of the world are on our election. Especially those in Iraq, Iran and Afganistan. Stupid short sighted people.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
((freedom42)) you have broken a lot of rules -- one of which is lying! If your family didn't get to the U.S. until the early 1900's, why are you always touting "your Southern heritage" and always jumping in the mist of the discussions regarding slavery and who owes who . . . ?" If what you say is true, you're not even qualified to take a position either way.
I'm so sick of these "Johnny-come-lately's" chiming in and sticking their noses where it doesn't belong. Since YOU and YOUR people didn't land on Plymouth Rock nor settle the frontier, you should be the very last person to pass judgment on 4th and 5th generation Americans. Please follow your own rules and do us all a favor, by practicing what you preach, and keep your mouth closed or find another venue on which to express your ignorance.
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.
Carter G. Woodson.
Freedom, please, please realize that the U.S. is a major player in the global market place. Please, Please note that there is something referred to as a "global economy." Of course a lot of these foreign countries will be monitoring the outcome of this upcoming election based on just those to factors (exporting, importing).
I'm extending this invitation to all those who may question the importance of Black History Month (please see my previous post). If you have any questions, post them, and I'll try to answer them the best I can based on my previous study of the subject. (Depending on the amount of detail needed, it may take me a little longer to reply @work)
Education opens the mind!!!!
Posted by thetruthhurts (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AMEN peaceout! This has gotten sad.
Posted by thetruthhurts (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you have turrets?
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Krogers, from a previous post.
We study and learn about the contributions of white anglo saxons through out the entire academic year, in academia it's call "U.S. History."
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My family came here as poor as church mice, worked for everything they got, and became AMERICANS. Not something hyphen american. I have all the right in the world to talk about anything I want to. And I have never talked about my Southern heritage except for the fact that I was born and raised in the South. I have often mentioned my past and that I know nothing before the great-grandparents who came here. I wish I did have more Southern Heritage. AMERICAN BY BIRTH SOUTHERN BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Freedom,
While it’s good to know that your family took the initiative to come to this country, that can’t be said about the many different ethnic groups found in the U.S.
Historically, the south has a negative perception that may not always be a true representation (key words: may not). To be honest, my own opinion of the southern white anglo saxon is slave owner and indentured servant, with nothing in-between. Maybe you should take it upon yourself to do the research, and share your findings.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on February 19, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems to me Incognito you need to do some research yourself. Do you even know what an Anglo- Saxon is? Here let me help you:
Anglo-Saxon is the collective term usually used to describe the ethnically and linguistically related peoples living in the south and east of the island of Great Britain from around the early 5th century AD to the Norman conquest of 1066.[1] They spoke closely related Germanic dialects, and they are identified by Bede as the descendants of three powerful Germanic tribes, the Angles and the Jutes originating from the Jutland peninsula, and the Saxons from the area later called Lower Saxony or Niedersachsen. .
White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, commonly abbreviated to the acronym WASP, is a sociological and cultural ethnonym that originated in the United States.
The term originated in reference to White Americans of Anglo-Saxon descent, who were Protestant in religious affiliation. However, the term does not have a precise definition and can be used to describe greatly differing groups.[1] The WASP acronym originated in reference to people with a history in the upper class establishment, who are alleged to form a powerful elite. Working class whites in the U.S. are not necessarily referred to as WASPs, even if they are Protestants of Anglo-Saxon descent.[2] The word white is redundant, since Anglo-Saxons — whether in the strict or popular sense of the term — are always white.
WASP is gradually being replaced in the U.S. by "white Christian male" as a result of diminished discrimination against Catholics and other non-WASP white males.[1] The term WASP also includes women, who regardless of ethnic heritage may face gender-based discrimination.
Strictly speaking, many people now referred to as "WASPs" are not Anglo-Saxon, that is the descendants of some Germanic peoples, who settled in Britain between the 5th century and the Norman Conquest. According to some sources, Anglo-Saxon ancestry is not even dominant in England. Even though they are genetically inseparable from the Danish and north Germans [Saxons], which is generally regarded as the Anglo-Saxon heartland.[3] However, in modern North American usage, WASPs may include Protestants, from Dutch, German, Huguenot (French Protestant), Scandinavian, Scottish, Scots-Irish and Welsh backgrounds.
You should keep reading about it. Its quite interesting. But I just thought you might like to know that not everyone is always right and everyone benefits from doing a little research!!!! :)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you firered! I found that very interesting. I knew what WASP meant, but didn't know the background. As far as my own ethnic background, all I know are that some of my family were Welsh coal miners, and apparently some were from Blackpool, England as there is a street there with the same name as my maiden name - which is a rather unusual name so I would rather not put it on here. I have no family left in Natchez as all my cousins and brothers have moved away. Now my husbands family, in the far distant past were French and were slave-owners. In fact there are several blacks in Natchez with the same last name, and we have discovered that we are related. It happened all the time folks. But all that is in the past, and to me the present and especially the future are a lot more important. Actually, my friend who is related on the wrong side of the blanket as they say, and I think it is rather funny. And yes she is black.
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Firered
I'm glad to see that you googled the term. You may want to utilze more sources.
"White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, commonly abbreviated to the acronym WASP, is a sociological and cultural ethnonym that originated in the United States
However, the term does not have a precise definition and can be used to describe greatly differing groups.
However, in modern North American usage, WASPs may include Protestants, from Dutch, German, Huguenot (French Protestant), Scandinavian, Scottish, Scots-Irish and Welsh backgrounds."
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on February 19, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That was in my previous post... But still means you are using the term white Anglo- Saxon incorrectly. I do not come from any of the backgrounds you mentioned so does that mean that I'm not in the particular group of white people you speak of? I'm just trying to figure out your usage of Anglo- Saxons.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on February 19, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry I've really tried to stay out of this whole race thing that you all have going on here. In my honest opinion, I think you ALL need to grow up! But something about you using the term Anglo- Saxon sparked my attention and bothered me for some reason. I guess because I felt you were using it incorrectly and the first time I noticed you using it you spelled it numerous times "Anglo Saxtons". LOL I know silly but I can't help it! Just wanted to put it out there that I'm not trying to get in the middle of your debates just want to make sure that everyone who takes pride in their knowledge is knowledgeable about everything in which they speak of!
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't know that I was being graded (Yikes)! This is what I thought, was the politically correct term for identifying whites in America. Would you just I rather say "white" or_____?
As it relates to growing up, please read my previous posts. There's nothing childish about embracing diversity or one's own ethnicity.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on February 19, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Then to you I say I was not referring to you. I'm sure you have noticed several others however that that may apply to! I'm perfectly okay with you referring to me as white. Caucasian would be the politically correct term to use when referring to whites I believe. I wasn't trying to grade you LOL I don't really know why it bothered me. I normally look over misspellings and incorrect use of grammar as this is not English class. Sorry if I came off as rude or "attacking" (couldn't think of the word I want to use).
Posted by notabigot (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like Incognitos comment from 7:09 last night. The quote from Carter Woodson and the next to the last paragraph explain exactly why Black History Month is so important. The rest of the posts on here are not very pretty. I think I understand why some of this is happening. I am sure if I had posted as much Scottish-American History as ijohnson has black history this month, you would all want me to shut up with the Scottish American History already. That is not necessarily racism. It could just be that the venue is not necessarily appropriate. All of you make me angry sometime. Yesterday I went looking for the history of the hymn "Amazing Grace." I found a website amazinggracesunday.com. I watched the video of Chris Tomlins version of the song, and I was humbled. I was further humbled to find out that there are tens of thousands of people still in bondage all over the world, and we've been arguing about race for days. I try my best to keep my heart free from racism. The only bondage I see in any of us anymore is the bondage of self. I have redoubled my efforts and asked for Gods help in doing so.
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am jealous of white people.
Posted by notabigot (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't Be.
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, I meant to say I'm jealous of rich white people.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
im jealous of poor black people
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am jealous of Hispanic people.
Posted by peaceout (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
if you want to be jealous, be jealous of Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.
envy ppl that are deserving of it. lol
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jealousy is one of the 7 deadly sins! lol
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are rich white people. I am jealous of rich white people.
Therefore, I am jealous of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.
I'm actually jealous of all white people.
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HEY!!
It is hard to compete with that whole Latin Lover thing.
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh notfrom... you are right! I'm making a slight adjustment to my prior statements:
I am now jealous of rich white people with latin lovers.
Posted by aesa (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i am jealous of Elvis....Ann Margaret....Wow!!!!
Posted by peaceout (anonymous) on February 19, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol @ all of you. who has the Latin Lover?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`•.¸ With much love and admiration, I post the following profile of "Uncle Jesse"; a man's whose family is closely tied to mine. His death was a tragic end to a great life. ¸.•´¯)
JESSE L. BROWN
Jesse LeRoy Brown (13 October 1926 – 4 December 1950) was the first African-American naval aviator in the United States Navy.
Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Brown enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1946 and was appointed a Midshipman, at the Ohio State University NROTC the following year. After attending Navy pre-flight school and flight training, he was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1948. Midshipman Brown was then assigned to Fighter Squadron 32. He received his commission as Ensign in April 1949.
During the Korean War, his squadron operated from USS Leyte (CV-32), flying F4U-4 Corsair fighters in support of United Nations forces. On 4 December 1950, while on a close air support mission near the Chosin Reservoir, Ensign Brown's plane was hit by enemy fire and crashed. Despite heroic efforts by other aviators, notably LT(jg) Thomas J. Hudner, Jr., he could not be rescued and died in his aircraft. Ensign Jesse L. Brown was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his Korean War combat service.
USS Jesse L. Brown (DE-1089) was named in honor of Ensign Jesse LeRoy Brown.
Place of birth Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Place of death KIA, aircraft hit by enemy fire and crashed.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1946–1950
Rank Ensign
Unit Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32)
USS Leyte (CV-32)
Battles/wars Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Korean War
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HEY, the old Scottish Inn is on fire right now and I am the first to post about it. Happy Black History Month
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Scottish Inn is on fire?!! Oh no, I hope Pee Wee got the snakes out in time!
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ha! The Buxtons aren't theives.... Happy Black History Month, better enjoy it while it last because next month is Women's History Month and nobody has to hear anything about Black History Month until next year!
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent story of inspiration about a former Mississippian.
Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.
Carter G. Woodson
http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/...
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 21, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
African-American FIRSTS
Nobel Peace Prize
Scholar and diplomat Ralph J. Bunche became, in 1950, the first African American to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Bunche received the award for his role as the architect of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping efforts and for having negotiated the four armistice agreements that halted the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. In 1955 Bunche was named the UN's Undersecretary for Special Political Affairs; in that capacity he oversaw UN peacekeeping operations in some of the most heated conflicts around the world. United States President John F. Kennedy awarded Bunche the nation's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, in 1963.
Novel
In 1853 William Wells Brown wrote Clotel; or, The President's Daughter, the first novel by an African American author. First published in England, Clotel is a fictional account of slave children allegedly fathered by United States president Thomas Jefferson. The first novel published in the United States by an African American author was also the first novel published by a black American woman, Harriet Wilson. Her novel Our Nig (1859) details the difficulties faced by Northern free blacks. (See the Africana Library of Black America, within the Encarta Reference Library, for the complete text of both Clotel and Our Nig. The library also includes Brown's autobiography, Narrative of William W. Brown, and his collection of abolitionist hymns, The Anti-Slavery Harp.)
Poem
In 1746 Lucy Terry, an African-born slave in Rhode Island, composed the first known poem by a black American: "Bar's Fight." The poem, which was not published until 1855, describes a Native American raid against white settlers in New England. In 1773 poet Phillis Wheatley became the first African American to publish a book, entitled Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Considered the founder of African American literature, Wheatley is perhaps best remembered for her poem "On Being Brought from Africa to America," which describes her experience coming to America as a seven-year-old child and as a slave. (See the Africana Library of Black America, within the Encarta Reference Library, for the Collected Works of Phillis Wheatley, which includes the complete text of her book as well as her letters and poems from other sources.)
Pulitzer Prize
In 1950 poet and novelist Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize, which she received for her second book of poetry, Annie Allen (1949).
Brooks was praised throughout her writing career for poems that grapple with issues of art, identity, race, gender, and the relation between literature and popular culture. (Hear Gwendolyn Brooks read from her poetry in Encarta Africana, part of the Encarta Reference Library.)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on February 21, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NO LET's DONT!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 22, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Only one more week.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 23, 2008 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Black History Month °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
First African American Senator
HIRAM REVELS (R-MS)
1851-1877
On February 25, 1870, visitors in the Senate galleries burst into applause as Mississippi senator-elect Hiram Revels of Mississippi entered the chamber to take his oath of office. Those present knew that they were witnessing an event of great historical significance. Revels was about to become the first African American to serve in the Senate.
Born 42 years earlier to free black parents in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Revels became an educator and minister of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. During the Civil War, he helped form regiments of African American soldiers and established schools for freed slaves. After the war, Revels moved to Mississippi, where he won election to the state senate. In recognition of his hard work and leadership skills, his legislative colleagues elected him to one of Mississippi's vacant U.S. Senate seats as that state prepared to rejoin the Union.
Revels' credentials arrived in the Senate on February 23, 1870, and were immediately blocked by a few members who had no desire to see a black man serve in Congress. Masking their racist views, they argued that Revels had not been a U.S. citizen for the nine years required of all senators. In their distorted interpretation, black Americans had only become citizens with the passage of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, just four years earlier. Revels' supporters dismissed that statement, pointing out that he had been a voter many years earlier in Ohio and was therefore certainly a citizen.
Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner brought the debate to an end with a stirring speech. "The time has passed for argument. Nothing more need be said. For a long time it has been clear that colored persons must be senators." Then, by an overwhelming margin, the Senate voted 48 to 8 to seat Revels.
Three weeks later, the Senate galleries again filled to capacity as Hiram Revels rose to make his first formal speech. Seeing himself as a representative of African American interests throughout the nation, he spoke—unsuccessfully as it turned out—against a provision included in legislation readmitting Georgia to the Union. He correctly predicted that the provision would be used to prohibit blacks from holding office in that state.
When Hiram Revels' brief term ended on March 3, 1871, he returned to Mississippi, where he later became president of Alcorn College (now known as Alcorn State University).
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on February 23, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think after her name should be (annoyingus)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 24, 2008 at 1:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Black History Month °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Great African-Americans -- Quiz
Test you knowledge on great African-Americans. How many questions can you answer correctly without peeking?
1. What is the name of the great civil rights leader who won the Nobel Peace Prize and was assassinated in 1968?
2. What is the name of the first African-American who served on the US Supreme Court?
3. What is the name of the woman who helped hundreds of other escaped slaves flee to freedom in the North via the Underground Railroad?
4. What is the name of the Haitian-French pioneer and trader who founded the settlement that would later become Chicago?
5. What is the name of the scientist who developed hundreds of products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, pecans, and soybeans, revolutionizing agriculture in the South?
6. What is the name of the scientist who developed the idea of the blood bank, saving innumerable human lives?
7. What is the name of the explorer and colleague of Robert E. Peary who was in the first group of people to visit the North Pole?
8. What is the name of the ex-slave who founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama?
9. What is the name of the first African-American woman to go into space?
10. What is the name of the first African-American to play major league baseball?
11. What is the name of the woman who refused to give up her bus seat, prompting a city-wide bus boycott? This eventually resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on city buses is unconstitutional.
12. What is the name of the African-American athlete who won many medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games?
13. What is the name of the inventor whose high-quality industrial inventions were the basis for the expression "the real McCoy"?
14. What is the name of the first African-American woman to be elected as a U.S. congresswoman from the deep South?
15. What is the name of the slave who sued for his freedom and lost, in a major Supreme Court case before the Civil War?
How did you do???? Well, let's see what the answers reveal.
ANSWERS:
1. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2. Thurgood Marshall
3. Harriet Tubman
4. Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable
5. George Washington Carver
6. Dr. Charles Richard Drew
7. Matthew Alexander Henson
8. Booker T. Washington
9. Mae C. Jemison
10. Jackie Robinson
11. Rosa Parks
12. Jesse Owens
13. Elijah McCoy
14. Barbara Jordan
15. Dred Scott
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together -- each and every day!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 25, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Black History Month °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Armstrong, Louis
Daniel Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 - July 6, 1971) was a great jazz trumpet player, composer, and singer. He was nicknamed Satchmo because some people said that his mouth was like a satchel. Armstrong was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and soon became a well-known cornet player in clubs and on riverboats along the Mississippi River. He became world famous for his incredible musical talent, especially his improvised solos. Armstrong also sang "scat," a style in which nonsense words are used in a song. Armstrong was featured in many recordings, television shows, and movies. Armstrong celebrated his birthday on July 4.
Rillieux, Norbert
Norbert Rillieux (March 17, 1806-October 8, 1894) was an African-American inventor and engineer who invented a device that revolutionized sugar processing. Rillieux's multiple effect vacuum sugar evaporator (patented in 1864) made the processing of sugar more efficient, faster, and much safer. The resulting sugar was also superior. His apparatus was eventually adopted by sugar processing plants all around the world.
Baldwin, James
James Baldwin (Aug. 2, 1924-Dec. 1, 1987) was a very important American author who wrote about the struggle of being black in America. James was the oldest of nine children and was born into poverty in Harlem, New York. He spent much of his youth reading. James' mother was a domestic worker (a maid) and his strict, cruel stepfather was a factory worker and preacher (who died in a mental hospital in 1943). James was a preacher himself for three years when he was a teenager. The author Richard Wright was James' early writing mentor. Baldwin's first book, the semi-autobiographical Go Tell It On the Mountain, was published in 1953 and is considered to be a classic American novel. Baldwin lived in France for many years, distancing himself from American life in order to examine it; Baldwin wrote, "Once you find yourself in another civilization, you're forced to examine your own." A pacifist, Baldwin participated in the Southern school desegregation struggle of the 1960s and marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. Baldwin wrote extensively about the Civil Rights Movement, including The Fire Next Time and Notes of a Native Son. Throughout his life, Baldwin used his enormous writing talent to work for racial equality. Baldwin wrote, "I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually." and "Artists are here to disturb the peace." Baldwin died at the age of 63 at home in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together -- each and every day!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 26, 2008 at 1:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Black History Month °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
First Black Elected to Head Harvard's Law Review
The Harvard Law Review, generally considered the most prestigious in the country, elected the first black president in its 104-year history today. The job is considered the highest student position at Harvard Law School.
The Harvard Law Review, generally considered the most prestigious in the country, elected the first black president in its 104-year history today. The job is considered the highest student position at Harvard Law School.
The new president of the Review is Barack Obama, a 28-year-old graduate of Columbia University who spent four years heading a community development program for poor blacks on Chicago's South Side before enrolling in law school. His late father, Barack Obama, was a finance minister in Kenya and his mother, Ann Dunham, is an American anthropologist now doing fieldwork in Indonesia. Mr. Obama was born in Hawaii.
''The fact that I've been elected shows a lot of progress,'' Mr. Obama said today in an interview. ''It's encouraging.
''But it's important that stories like mine aren't used to say that everything is O.K. for blacks. You have to remember that for every one of me, there are hundreds or thousands of black students with at least equal talent who don't get a chance,'' he said, alluding to poverty or growing up in a drug environment.
What a Law Review Does
Law reviews, which are edited by students, play a double role at law schools, providing a chance for students to improve their legal research and writing, and at the same time offering judges and scholars a forum for new legal arguments. The Harvard Law Review is generally considered the most widely cited of the student law reviews.
On his goals in his new post, Mr. Obama said: ''I personally am interested in pushing a strong minority perspective. I'm fairly opinionated about this. But as president of the law review, I have a limited role as only first among equals.''
Therefore, Mr. Obama said, he would concentrate on making the review a ''forum for debate,'' bringing in new writers and pushing for livelier, more accessible writing.
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together -- each and every day!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 27, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° BLACK HISTORY MONTH °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
"It's my belief that God gives us all gifts, special abilities that we have the privilege of developing to help us serve Him and humanity."
* BENJAMIN CARSON
_______________________________________
Dr. Benjamin Carson, one of the world's most gifted surgeons, made medical history in 1987 when he performed the first successful separation of occipital craniopagus (joined at the head) Siamese twins. A specialist in pediatric neurosurgery, Carson also established a remarkable success record in performing the procedure called hemispherectomy, or removal of half the brain, to treat certain forms of epilepsy. Nineteen of the first 20 patients Carson operated on survived.
If it were not for the determination of his mother, Carson might never have discovered his gift. She worked domestic jobs to support Carson and his brother after their father abandoned the family, and she insisted that they study and read books regularly. Carson had been a poor student in elementary school, but he ended up graduating third in his high school class.
Carson credits prayer with helping him to overcome another threat to his future: his violent temper as a teenager. An episode in which he nearly stabbed a friend during an argument over a radio show shook him so much that he locked himself in the bathroom for three hours, reading the Bible and praying to God for help. Afterward, he says, the rage never returned, and he focused on achieving his dream of becoming a doctor.
He won a scholarship to Yale University and, after graduating, went on to obtain a medical degree from the University of Michigan.
In 1984, Carson joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins University and soon became director of pediatric neurosurgery-- the youngest in the country, at age 33.
Carson has written an autobiography, Gifted Hands, and a motivational book, Think Big. He is currently an associate professor at Johns Hopkins. He often speaks to groups of young people to share with them the lessons he learned about how to see obstacles "as hurdles that strengthen you each time you go over one." (Parade, December 25, 1988). According to Carson, it's that kind of vision that leads to success.
________________________________________
* Other Contemporary African-American Firsts
Mary Frances Berry -- First woman to head a major research university, University of Colorado, 1976.
Guion Bluford, Jr. -- First African-American astronaut in space, 1983.
Jacquelyn Barrett -- First African-American woman sheriff, Fulton County, Georgia, 1992.
Joycelyn Elders -- First African-American U.S. Surgeon General, 1993.
Patricia R. Harris -- First African-American woman in presidential cabinet, Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare, 1977.
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together -- each and every day!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 28, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° BLACK HISTORY MONTH °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Walter Jerry Payton (1954 – 1999) American Football Player
Walter “Sweetness” Payton was one of three children born to Peter and Alyne Payton in Columbia, Mississippi. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts, Little League, and his local church. At Jefferson High School, Payton played drums in the marching band, participated in the track team as a long jumper, and sang in the school choir. Outside of school he played in jazz-rock groups.
Once he began to play football, as a junior, he achieved instant success as a running back. At 5'10" he was not especially large, but his speed and strength made him one of the team's featured players. Jefferson High School was integrated with neighboring Columbia High School that year; Payton and his teammates were upset that their head coach had become an assistant, and Payton boycotted some of the spring practices in protest, but returned during the fall season. He then earned state-wide honors as a member of Mississippi's all-state team, leading Columbia to an unexpected 8-2 season.
Although Payton had established himself as one of the state’s top running back prospects, he received no invitations from Southeastern Conference colleges and universities, which were accepting only a few black players at the time. He decided to pursue his collegiate career at the historically African-American, Jackson State University, where his older brother Eddie had played football.
While attending Jackson State, Payton played alongside many future professional football players, including Jerome Barkum, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater. As a member of the Jackson State Tigers, Payton rushed over 3,500 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also broke the NCAA’s scoring record by rushing for 65 touchdowns during his college career. Payton finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, leading many to speculate that he would have earned more national recognition if he had attended a better-known college. Payton graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication. He acquired the nickname “Sweetness” in college.
He was drafted as a running back by the Chicago Bears in 1975. He spent his entire career with the Bears and set many records, including all-time rushing yards (16,726; now surpassed), most 100-yard rushing games (77), and most yards gained rushing in a game (275; now surpassed). Noted for his durability, Payton was the National Football League's most valuable player in 1977 (the youngest player to win the award) and won his only Super Bowl in 1985. He retired in 1987.
See his autobiography, Never Die Easy (2000).
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History Month together -- each and every day!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on February 29, 2008 at 1:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° BLACK HISTORY MONTH °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
NOTABLE BLACK AMERICAN ARTISTS
The Pioneers
Joshua Johnston (1765-1830), John James Audubon (1785-1851), Otto Reinhold Jacobi (1812-1901), Patrick Reason (1817-1856), William H. Simpson (1818-1872), and Robert Scott Duncanson (1821-1872) represent some of the names of the early trailblazers who were the unusual combination of black, American, and artist. A review of their work suggests that these vanguards did not focus on the issues surrounding their racial acceptance in society; but rather followed personal or business interests. For example, John James Audubon, whose mother was Haitian, devoted his lifetime to the depiction of North American flora and fauna. Robert Scott Duncanson, considered by some art historians as the first black man to earn his living as an artist, was a painter of both Hudson River landscapes and floral still lifes. Joshua Johnston, “ the first American artist of African descent to create a sizeable body of work of high quality" according to Romare Bearden’s Six Black American Artists, was listed in a Baltimore directory from 1796 to 1824 as a portraitist. Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828-1901) was a well-known landscape and genre painter from Providence, Rhode Island. Although he was the first Black American artist to win a national art prize, a first-place at the Philadelphia Exposition in 1876, he was denied admission into the hall to accept the award because of his race. Specializing in making bird’s-eye views of California and Nevada towns, Grafton Tyler Brown (1841-1918) was the first recognized Black American artist in the American West. Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), known for religious and genre paintings, was the first black artist to earn an international reputation. Although Thomas Eakins encouraged him while a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Tanner experienced much prejudice in Philadelphia, and chose to expatriate to Paris.
Finding a Voice
Ultimately, many black artists became committed to addressing the issue of racial equality in their work in response to their own bitter personal experiences. Brutally beaten by a vigilante mob while enrolled at Oberlin College, Mary Edmonia Lewis (1845-1911), the first important black sculptor in America, created works, which explored her feelings of alienation. In 1899, the sculptor, Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller (1877-1968) went to Paris where white students refused to share lodgings with her. Although Fuller eventually triumphed when she became a favored student of the acclaimed Auguste Rodin, she embraced her racial heritage, and became the first Black American artist to focus on African inspired themes.
(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸,¸¸,ø¤º° Let’s celebrate Black History together . . . today, tomorrow, always!!! °º¤ø,¸¸,¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)