Contributions and Achievments

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In Those Days, we learned a lot about early American history. You know, those that helped found this country, and those that set it's course apart from any other country. From Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, the Generals, and the Presidents, to those that walked on the moon. And we studied their achievements and contributions to America, how they did it, and where we are now because of it, without much focus on their race.

So, as Black History Month comes to a conclusion, I'll share the Thoughts of the Dock with you.

I guess I was in about the 3rd or 4th grade, when my class was given a written assignment identifying one person that contributed to America. Although it was an era before the inception of Black History Month, I chose George Washington Carver for my project.

I really don't know why. Perhaps it was about his race, or that he was born into slavery, or that he was a scientist and professor at a college for Black Americans, or that he invented 300 ways to use peanuts for. But, it was more likely that I just took a liking to his name.

Yes, his name really struck me. Apparently named after a White American who many of my classmates selected to write about. It was his name, more than his achievements, that really intrigued me. Why would his Black parents name him after such a person, especially after that person was instrumental in establishing slavery in America? That's what impressed me. The Carvers truly loved America, and they were Americans even though they were Black.

Not, so for many of the Black heroes of today who most seem to denounce America, or just rape it for their own benefit. It's no wonder why our Black youth are so far outside reality. They have no leaders to follow.

Look who they have to admire. A freak like Michael Jackson, racists like Oprah Winfrey or Bill Cosby, religious leader Jesse Jackson, a savage Michael Vick, a murderer/musician Doctor Dre, the adulterers Tiger Woods, Al Shaprton, Kobe Bryant, Shaquile O'Neil, or politicians like Governor Patterson or the idiot from Illinois?

I've often wondered why our observation of Black History was only for 30 days, when no other federal mandate gets so much attention. Now, I have seen the value of that and suggest we extend the period by a few more months. Certainly, with more time, I could identify even more Blacks that are ripping America apart, and perhaps even find a Black that has contributed something aside from culture to our great country.

But, surely there are better examples of Black American contributions. What about Colon Powell or the Long Legged MacDaddy himself? But would he even qualify. He's only a halfblack.

Let's move on to a more important cause like the Jump Rope for Heart program our grandson is doing.

Enjoy your weekend. For me, every day is a weekend!
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