Wednesday, March 6, 2002
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Wednesday, March 6, 2002 |
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Black inventors are numerous Ms. Saul, I agree with you; I feel that the commercials are tacky. I don't think that they are trying to portray Caucasians as being "dumb." I feel that they have made a commercial that was not well put together. I think that they could have put the message out a little better and definitely in a different way. The point that was trying to be made is that Black History Month will be celebrated all year round, not just in the month of February which just so happens to be the shortest month of the year. And thankfully you as a concerned and aware citizen knows what the month means to many people of color. But there are still some that are in denial and are it seems not all interested in what the African-American community has done for people of all colors, all over the world. Many people in many ways seem to deny this fact. For example: my son's middle school did post it on their sign in front of the school, but put it on the back of the board where there wasn't as much traffic. The history class talked only about slavery and for a couple of weeks. Now there are plenty of other subjects to be addressed for this annual event other than slavery. Frankly, I'm ready for our children to be taught about the rest of our history. Let me give you and the public a few notes of interest. Did you know that: In 1867 Mr. A. Miles received his patent for the elevator; Ms. Sarah Boone received hers for the ironing board in 1892; 1898, Ms. Lyda D. Newman for the hair brush; 1899, J.B. Rhodes invented the "water closet," better known to us as the toilet or commode. How about the "swinging chair" or the recliner, easy chair, lazy boy that we love so much to watch TV in that was invented by Mr. Payton Johnson in 1881; the clothes dryer by George T. Sampson in 1892; the ice cream scoop, the dust pan, the light bulb, the typewriter which led to the use of computers today, the cell phone, the horse saddle, bridle bit, the horse shoe, light switch, bicycle frame. The home security system was invented by a woman, Ms. M.V.B. Brown in 1969. Her system included a video camera at the entrance door and an audio intercom inside and outside for talking to visitors. The lawn mower, golf tee, guitar, air conditioning unit, baby carriage. I can still proudly name many more inventions that all received patents and were all done and accomplished by African-Americans. So in closing, the poorly made commercial only wants the public to know that we will not and cannot be forgotten. Take a moment to think of how our world would be without the luxuries that have been bestowed upon us by these unrecognized great Americans. These excerpts were taken from the book: "Black Inventors," created and developed by Dr. Sidney Wallace, illustrated by David L. Johnson. It can be found at our local book store. A proud African-American citizen in Fayetteville
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