Why do we need a Black American History Month?

Why do we need a Black American History Month?

Black History Month is an opportunity to educate the public about the true experiences of black America in its entirety. Some have asked, “but what about a white American history month?”

American history has been predominately about white history. It has always been taught to us 12 months in a year. American history only teaches about white Americans, their experiences, and their perspectives. Through the years our history books claim how white Europeans discovered this land and turned it into the great country that it is today. However, history books used in our schools for many generations have painted a very different picture from what actually took place for the people of color in our country. (Future examples coming)

During Black History month we not only want to highlight the unfortunate parts of our history we need to learn from, but also about the contributions all of our Americans have made.

Black History Month is a time to highlight positive images of black Americans rather than the stereotypes and myths that are presented and perpetuated throughout the media. It is a month to educate white and other Americans not only about the struggles and injustices, but the leadership and contributions of black Americans. This month is to honor those who have carried the cross and paved the way toward making change not only for blacks, but other minority Americans in our country.

There are many black inventors and inventions, pioneers in various fields, artists of various genres, that most of America have never even heard about and our history books have left out. This month is a time to introduce, highlight, and honor them and their contributions.

Our other Related Posts:

• Black American Veterans
• Leadership, Inventions, and Other Major Contributions by Black American Men
• Inspirational Black American Women
• The Black American Woman Inventor the Veteran Administration Ignored

Carter G. Woodson, the African-American historian whose work established Black History Month. Via: biography.com Click image to learn more about him.

Other Images from History:

Black family vacations in the 1950s: An untold story. Via: new.byu.edu

In honor of the the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, we’re highlighting the history of black girls and women in the organization. Via: MadameNoire

Rosie the Riveter, African American style. Via: flickr.com

Vintage photo (1940s) Beautiful picture of mother and her daughters. Via: Flickr (discover black heritage)

Beautiful photo of Father and Daughter Via: mokmakell.wordpress.com

Like father like son! Via: explosion.com

Leadership, Inventions, and Other Major Contributions by Black American Men

Honoring Black American Men, their leadership, and contributions for Black History Month. These are some of our picks to help put a positive face rather than the negative images and stereotypes that usually white Americans see through the media. These men, our black American men, have contributed much to their country (see below)

Related Posts:

• Inspirational Black American Women
• Black American Veterans
• Black American Woman the VA ignored

Julian Abele (April 30, 1881 – April 23, 1950) was a prominent African-American architect, and chief designer in the offices of Horace Trumbauer. He contributed to the design of more than 400 buildings, including the Widener Memorial Library at Harvard University, Duke University Chapel, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Via: Wikipedia

Ernest Everett Just made pioneering contributions to the cytology and embryology of marine organisms, and in 1925 demonstrated the carcinogenic effects of ultraviolet radiation on cells. Just is also a founder of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Via: 24.media.tumblr.com

William Augustus Hinton (15 December 1883, Chicago, Illinois – 1959, Canton, Massachusetts) was an African American bacteriologist, pathologist and educator. He was the first black professor in the history of Harvard University. A pioneer in the field of public health, Hinton developed a test for syphilis which, because of its accuracy, was used by the United States Public Health Service.

Tony Hansberry II isn’t waiting to finish medical school to contribute to improved medical care. “I’ve always had a passion for medicine,” he said in a recent interview. “The project I did was, basically, the comparison of novel laparoscopic instruments in doing a hysterectomy repair.” By the way, Hansberry is a 14-year-old high school freshman. Via: eurweb.com

AFRICAN AMERICAN DR. HENRY SAMPSON JR. – INVENTOR OF CELL PHONE. Via: bfhsnetwork.com

Dr. Daniel H. Williams Born: Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania 1856 Invention: Performed First Open Heart Surgery Dr. Daniel Hale Williams was an African American physician who made history by performing the first successful open heart surgery operation. Via: biography.com

Though Thomas Edison is recognized as the inventor of the light bulb, African-American inventor Lewis Latimer played an important role in its development. In 1881, Latimer patented a method for making carbon filaments, allowing light bulbs to burn for hours instead of minutes. Latimer also drafted the drawings that helped Alexander Graham Bell receive a patent for the telephone. Via: biography.com

Garret Augustus Morgan (1877-1963) This is the inventor the traffic light, gas mask, and hair relaxer. Via: Listverse.com

 

Black History Month- Honoring Black American Women

February is Black History Month and we wanted to honor Black American Women by highlighting some of them. 

Janet Emerson Bashen is the first African American female to hold a patent for a software invention. Her software, LinkLine, is a web-based application for EEO claims intake and tracking, claims management, document management and numerous reports. Ms. Bashen was issued U.S. patent #6,985,922 on January 10 2006, for a “Method, Apparatus and System for Processing Compliance Actions over a Wide Area Network.” Via: Blackhistory.net

First Woman In Space Honored On Anniversary Of Historic Flight. Via: Huffington Post

Alice Augusta Ball (1892-1916) was an African American scientist that would be responsible for creating an injectable treatment for Leprosy. Via University of Hawaii

Bessie Blount was an African American woman who led a life that was dedicated to helping those in need. She was a physical therapist and an inventor of apparatus that was designed to help soldiers that suffered permanent injuries in World War II. Bessie Blount has been called a “savior of the handicapped” for her invention that allowed World War II disabled veterans to feed themselves, and for her unique method of teaching them to write again. Via: Myblackhisotry.net

Learn more about Bessie’s Story and how the Veteran Administration ignored her

Jane M. Bolin was the 1st African American woman graduate of Yale Law School & the first Black female judge in the United States. She’s pictured here in July 1939 after her appointment by NYC Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. Judge Bolin retired in 1979after 40 yrs on the Bench (only because she reached the mandatory age). She passed away in 2007 at age 98. Via: NY Times

Maggie Walker, the first woman to found & become president of an American bank, was the daughter of a former slave. She also founded a newspaper and department store. What an impressive woman! Via: Blackhistory.album.tumblr

She’s the first African-American female doctor to patent in 1988, a new method of removing cataracts. The medical laser instrument made the procedure more accurate and is termed the cataract Laserphacoprobe. Dr. Bath was also the first Black Female Surgeon appointed to UCLA in 1975. As a laser scientist and inventor, she has 5 patents on the laser cataract surgery device covering the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe. Via: fitnews.amazeworthy.com

This next woman is my favorite

Oseola McCarty a cleaning lady who from working all her life accumulated great savings, donated to the University of Southern Mississippi $150,000 for a student scholarship program. Via: Blackworldwomanhistory.tumblr.com

Our Other Related Posts

•  Leadership, Inventions, and other Contributions by Black American Men
• Why Do We Need a Black History Month?
• Honoring Black American Veterans for Black History Month
• A Woman Inventor the Veteran Administration Ignored

Beautiful Children of Cambodia- How Your Help Could Actually Hurt

Beautiful Children of Cambodia- How Your Help Could Actually Hurt

*Pictures taken by TSIO

The children are friendly and much fun to talk with. They love to practice their English with you. Many of these children are also selling various items outside the tourist areas. It is not recommended to give away money or even purchase the items from the children. The reasoning by various leadership in Cambodia is because it perpetuates a vicious cycle of poverty to continue. The families see it as an opportunity to make a quick few bucks which discourages the kids from going to school and thus furthering their education. In the end it becomes unsustainable by enabling a dependent system that produces another generation in poverty.

The other thing to watch out for is what is called the Orphan Tourism. Some orphanages are not even legit. It can be a big scam and money-maker using kids from throughout the village to create a heart tugging display to reach deep into your pockets.

If you do find a legitimate orphanage, this rule still applies. Children are not there for your display and amusement. You see them, have a good time, and then go home. They see you and only hope that maybe you will be their new home. Well intentions sometimes can actually do more harm.

The best way to help more sustainably is by funding or giving of some real committed time and talents to a solid organization that has been well established. Even better, help empower the Cambodian people in a mutual learning relationship. This will help them continue to develop leaders within their own country as they desire and are very much capable of doing with a little support. It is best to go through your Consulate for recommendations on who and how to best help.

 

Psychological lense-Speaking through my camera to my new friends in Vietnam

(Written by Vietnam Veteran who met Amerasians in Vietnam after one of our return trips

 As I zoom lensed my camera into their eyes in my best photography, I saw these thoughts as I independently photographed these asking people: ~Did my dead father die on the battlefields of Vietnam?~Would I be loved by the American people?

~How can I escape the life that I love?

~Will my mother come with me if I leave my homeland?

~How can I be sure these strangers are sincere?

~I do not want to beg for a chance in life, but I am

~Is my God their God?

~I feel hope & happiness.

~Stay strong, don’t let them see fear in my eyes.

I put down my camera, my psychological zoom lens. The photographs forever stay in my mind. We wave, hug, shake hands, say goodbye, but not forever.

Past Practice
The Hmong of America marched through my mind each step of the way. The way to another land after post 1975 is not easy.

Vietnam Veteran meeting Amerasians with Thuy in Vietnam

See other reflection (Lost Children of Asia) and our (Website).

Please help share this story in trying to help reunite an Amerasian with her Vietnam veteran father (One woman’s search for her father)

Founder’s Reflections (Healing my wounds of war)