Black History Month has always had a purpose—to highlight things African Americans have done for the Country and things the Country has done to African Americans. But we may not be accomplishing that purpose nowadays. Instead, we emphasize Black culture—eating, singing, and dancing—but not Black history. I was reminded of that point as I watched … [Read more…]
Last week I showed an undergraduate class a film about William Monroe Trotter. When I asked for reactions, one student asked a question, “Why is Trotter not better known?” I responded that we don’t do history well, especially African American history. This is true despite the importance of history to our existence and progress. Who … [Read more…]
Gladys West, an African American female from rural Virginia, was a key figure in the development of GPS (the Global Positioning System) in the 1950s and 1960s. GPS has changed the lives of almost everyone. All segments of society use the Global Positioning System—the military, the auto industry, the cell phone industry, NASA, social media, … [Read more…]
Last fall as the former giant retailer, Sears, teetered on passing from the scene, one of its giants did pass. Superstar Charles Harrison, a retired Sears industrial designer, died at age 87. Black history month is a good time to recount his amazing life and work. While he is not widely known, his work permeates … [Read more…]