BLACK FACTS
Black Facts are about us; the African American and our
culture. Some are facts many of us were not aware of for many years, others are
facts many of us still may not know. Many African Americans that grew up during
the past decades were not appraised to African American history, literature, or
cultural information. But, fortunately the revolution changed much of that;
and now our children and their children are now reaping the benefits
through sources such as African American Studies and various other sources.
Those black facts out of our past may not have seemed
consequential to those who were in position to make them known. But
through the span of time we have found them to be not only of consequence, but
in effect great contribution not only to our culture, but to the world. We feel
these facts should be known. As you read and learn you will find some are from
the past more pertinent. Others are more recent and may not seem relevant but
have been added because they relate to our culture, and the fact
that if blacks had not been involved the outcome most likely would have
been different. The facts remains that these are entries that relate only
to the black man (or woman) in those times and places should be recognized. In
saying this we post the question did you know that:
- A federal judge signed a $4.5 million settlement for
Elmer "Geronimo " Pratt, the man who served 27 years in prison
for a murder in Santa Monica, California. He always maintained he did not
commit the crime. The case was overturned when it was revealed chief
witness was a L.A.P.D. & FBI informant whom the government denied knowing
about during the original trial. ( Los Angeles Sentinel, Thursday, May 11,2000.
- The Statue of Liberty was originally black, and came after the struggle of
Blacks in the civil war. If you wish to see the original model with the broken
chains at her feet and in her left hand. Go to the Museum of the city of New
York. Fifth Ave and 103rd, (2) check the New York Times Magazines part I,
May 18, 1986 (3)The dark original face of the statue can be seen in the New York
Post, June 17, 1986.(4) check the French Mission or the French Embassy at
the UN or in Washington. ( LA Sentinel, Thursday March 20,2000.
- Alexander Twilight was born on a farm in 1790 to a father of black
ancestry and a white mother. He was the first black to graduate from a US
college and the first to serve in state legislature. Pieces of information from
town records and letters indicated he was a teacher. After his death in 1857 it
was found Twilight did not leave any written records. but he did leave an
old stone house which he built himself. The 4 story 60 foot long dormitory
was called Athenian Hall and was Vermont's first public building made of
granite. ( LA Watts Times, March 4,1999)
- Fredrick Douglas born on plantation in 1817 near Tuckahoe Maryland
changed his original name Fredrick A. Bailey after escaping; preventing
bounty hunters from capturing and taking him back into slavery. Douglas
was the single most popular black man in his lifetime. Holloman's Black
Achievers, February 1995)
- Booker T Washington was selected to run a new school to train black
teachers, after which the Tuskegee Institute had originally asked Samuel C
Armstrong; a white man to head. After accepting the position Washington went to
Tuskegee and found the institute consisted of an old church, a shanty, and 31
students from nearby farms. Determined to make the school successful Washington
borrowed money from Lewis Adams; a successful black farmer and a local white
politician seeking votes from the black population of Macon County Alabama. (Holloman's
Black Achievers, February 1995)
- Isaac Hayes was the first African
American to win an academy award; which he won in 1971 for the "Theme From
Shaft".
- During 1994, women correspondents( including African American women)
reported one fourth of all network television news stories in the Los Angeles
area. (Women's Page -LA Watts Times,March2, 1995.
- Sgt. Ruben River, a native of Oklahoma and the uncle of former
Richmond Mayor George Livingston was recommended by his Commander for a
Congressional Medal of honor for acts of bravery during a Battle of France
during WWII. He was passed over, and to this day had not received the honor.
River's sister is still fighting for the recognition after his death. To date
none of the 1.2 million African American who served during WWII ever
received a Congressional Medal.( LA Sentinel, Thursday August 17,1995).
- Unita Blackwel (1933)l was the first black woman to be elected mayor in
Mississippi. The year 1976 and the community she represented was a town of
approximately 500 residents called Mayersville.The Journal Newspaper, March 9,
1995(African American Unsung Sheroes).
- Alice Coachman(1926) a native from Albany Georgia was the first
black woman to win a gold medal in the summer Olympics held London. (The
Journal Newspaper 3-9-95)
- Crystal Byrd (1894-1965) director of African American women activities for
the DNC was the first black female to win a seat in Pennsylvania's
state legislature.
- Fannie Hamer(1917-1977) left the life of sharecropping to become an activist
in the 1962 forming the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and becoming
a civil rights leader.
- Patricia Robert Harris (1924-1985) was the first black woman to serve as a US
ambassador. After becoming appointed to President Carter's cabinet renamed the
Department of Housing, calling it The Department of Health and Human
Services.
- Ann Young is the first black female to attain the rank of captain in
the 131 year history of the Los Angeles Police Department. She is also the
highest black female officer in the city. She was promoted to the position
during the month of April 2000 by LA's Chief Bernard Parker (The Los Angeles
Sentinel, April12-19,2000).
- Leontine Kelly (1920) was the first African American woman bishop in a major
religious organization. She was elected bishop in 1984 of the United Methodist
Church for San Francisco, and remained in that position until 1988 when she
retired.
- Constance Baker Motley(1922) was the first black woman to be appointed to the
position of federal judge. Motley was confirmed as a U.S. district judge in
Southern New York the year of 1966. ( Journal Newspaper 3-9-95)
- Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954) was the first black woman to be
appointed to the Washington D.C. school board(189?),