Black History is American History...Period!

This month as we celebrate the numerous historical contributions of African-Americans to American society at large let's remember that Black History is American History. If history was to be told properly thier would be no need for a seperation and distinction of one culture's contributions from another but alas in this country race has always mattered --to the extent that history was only told from the vantage point of European-Americans. The distinction was and is neccesary--still I am ready for the day when it will no longer be neccesary.

With that said--

Let The Celebration Begin!

When I was in school(In the 90's), I always felt like my teacher knew nothing about black history and were "just getting by" going over the same few names and pictures every year--now I'm a teacher. In this year's celebration I wanted to focus on more obsure black history facts. It is just too much information to contain to a blog....so I'll provide links.

As most of you know I'm a military brat and lover of military history. It's amazing how any group of people who endured such indignity as black people in this country rise up to defend it so valiantly. Black people had to fight for the chance to fight for our country and that should tell you a lot. In fact the fist man to die in thie country's fight to exist as a nation was a black man, Crispus Addicks. Here are a few of my favorite black military men and women.

African -Americans in the Military:

The Buffalo Soldiers-So named by a Native American tribe who once fought them because they fought like the buffalo the native americans revered (which meant they were valiant and fierce) and had wooly hair like the buffalo as well. The Buffalo soldiers coined the the battle cry now used by all American military, "Never Leave a Man Behind". They were also the nations first border patrol.

The Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen & General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. (a Tuskegee airman who later became the first African American to attain the rank of four stars and was named commander of the North American Air Defense.)

General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr.

General Russel Honore'

A Louisiana born general who rose to fame in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This distinguished general and I share an alma mater, Southern University (Baton Rouge, La.)

Rear Admiral Lillian Fishburne, a Maryland born graduate of Lincoln University.

Here are a few of my favorite Black Inventions:
The Elevator (Alexander Mils)
The Traffic Light (Garrett A. Morgan)
Typewriter (Lee Barage)
Refrigerator (John Standard)

Links:
Little Known Black History Facts: http://www.theblackmarket.com/slavefaq.htm#The%20Rise%20of%20Cotton
Black Inventors: http://www.littleafrica.com/resources/inventors.htm
Buffalo Soldiers: http://personalweb.smcvt.edu/thefort/History/BuffaloSoldiers.htm
Black Quest: http://blackquest.com/

-A