Why Don’t I Know You? (Part Two)
In elementary school, teachers taught us that America was a melting pot. By the time I reached high school, the new lesson was that America was a salad bowl. The important distinction is that in a melting pot all elements get melted together and become one final product. Whereas, in a salad each individual ingredient retains its original properties and unique characteristics while contributing to a richer, better final dish.
Since I know it is my responsibility to educate myself about others, just as I would want others to educate themselves about my culture, I have begun an effort to learn about black history beyond slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Black Americans have contributed innumerable ingredients to our salad bowl from all facets of life. As a reminder that black American history is more than just the slavery and civil rights, and that Black Americans enrich every corner of our nation, here are a few names that were new to me until recently.
Arthur George Gaston
Ironically, Mr. Gaston was born on July 4th (1892). His family were sharecroppers. He built a multi-million-dollar business empire in and around Birmingham. He started by founding the Smith and Gaston Funeral Homes, which eventually had thirteen locations across Alabama. Then, he expanded into insurance and construction. Gaston opened his own business school and the Gaston Motel, which was well-known in the region. He provided lodging and bail money for those involved in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham. He also extended his influence by offering financial guidance and advice to many in the black community. He wanted to see other black citizens achieve financial independence. Part of his financial philosophy was, “Save a part of all you earn. Pay yourself first. Take it off the top and bank it. You’ll be surprised how fast the money builds up.”
Lt. Colonel Guion Bluford
Bluford was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War and is an aerospace engineer. On August 30, 1983, he became the first African American astronaut as he served aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. He served on three more NASA missions after this, including one in 1985, which was the Challenger’s last mission before exploding in 1986. Fortunately, Lt. Colonel Bluford was not on that ill-fated mission. He continued to work for NASA until 1993 when he began a career in the private sector.
Ben Carson, MD.
In recent years, Dr. Carson has become known for controversial politics during his time as a candidate for President of the United States. But, before that, Dr. Carson was a child growing up in Detroit. His mother knew education was the key to freedom from poverty for Carson and his older brother. She required both boys to read a certain number of books from their local library each week and submit book reports to her. This household focus on education paid off. In 1984, at the age of 33, he became America’s youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery when he accepted the position at John Hopkins Children’s Center. He went on to lead the team that performed the first separation of twins conjoined at the head and completed this same operation several more times with varying degrees of success. He has published many books and in 2008 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks picked up a camera and changed photography forever. He photographed the people of the Dust Bowl. He built relationships with New York criminals (in order to complete a photographic essay) and Muhammed Ali, so that he could ensure that his photographs of them and of their environment were true and deep representations of their world. He was the only black photographer at Life Magazine for many years. His photography career was extraordinary. However, what I found even more breathtaking than the fact that he was a successful photographer is that he went on to have additional careers as a writer and a film maker. He created an entire genre of film when he directed the 1971 film, Shaft. He co-founded Essence Magazine. The list of accomplishments seems to go on and on. His influence on America film and media is never-ending.
Every ingredient in the American salad bowl adds richness and depth to the dish. For that very reason, I am thrilled that the media and others are publicizing and teaching about a wider array of figures from black history. Every facet of American life has a talented person contributing who is not white, not male, and not Christian. I, for one, enjoy learning about all of them. Every accomplishment comes because somewhere, someone else achieved something wonderful. It would take me the rest of my life to learn about important figures from all the various backgrounds that my history textbooks ignored and skipped over. However, to that I say, “Challenge accepted.”
Special thanks to the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama for getting my journey started. Though their focus is on civil rights, I found their research goes beyond that single subject and touches on key figures from other aspects of American history too.
Photo credits: Gordon Parks, New York Times, The Gordon Parks Foundation
February 26, 2022 at 10:37 am
Dr. Ben Carson and Mr. Gordon Parks are very interesting to me because of what they had to overcome to achieve what they did. Mr. Parks is especially intriguing because he had multiple successful careers. I think many people would be surprised by the number of photos they recognize that he took.
I also appreciate Mr. Gaston for his efforts to improve his community not only by providing needed products and services, but also through employment and his attempts to teach basic personal finance.
February 26, 2022 at 10:48 am
Arthur Gaston was definitely ahead of his time when it came to teaching personal finance. I think our schools are missing out if they don’t teach these types of stories. Success in America (regardless of race) is varied and fascinating. Learning about these accomplished people has made me want to learn more about other successful people from all of America’s cultures!