From a Partner's Desk

ADLA | 2023 Black History Month Study Materials Week 3

African Descent Lutheran Association Presents:
Black History Month Study Resources for 2023

Teach and urge these duties. Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

Introduction

Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere, especially in education.

Recent attempts have been made to eliminate Black American history from schools. Some believe Black history is irrelevant to American history. These efforts have banned certain books and discussions about Black history in classrooms. The extent to which this has been done threatens recent empowerment efforts to advance studies related to Black history.

Eliminating Black history from the consciousness of our minds, banning books, and making it unlawful to teach the truth undermines efforts to continue the legacy of maintaining an important part of American history for future generations. Black History is interwoven into the history of American History. Neither can exist without the other.

Education is the key to remembering the impact of Black History from the 1400s. This requires making certain the legacy is not lost – but remembered. Ensuring Black history is never forgotten requires vigilance and a commitment to keeping our history alive. All efforts should be explored to maintain what we know for sure while uncovering information yet to be discovered.

In 1925 Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher, created what was known as “Negro History Week” to ensure Black history was not lost. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Though the month of February has been designated to celebrate Black History, Black engagement in American culture should be documented throughout the year and does not even begin to educate society on Black influence with its full impact.

We hope this information will encourage further discussions to explore some of the forthcoming information and a desire to learn more. Each week will highlight different areas that have enhanced our lives.

WEEK III: Blacks in Science and Health

• Patricia Bath (1942 – 2019) is known for her contributions to ophthalmology. Bath invented the “Laserphaco Probe,” making her the first African-American female medical professional to earn a patent for a medical purpose in 1986.

• Percy Lavon Julian (1899 – 1975) was a steroid chemist and entrepreneur. Percy Julian figured out how to synthesize important medicinal compounds from abundant plant sources, making them more affordable to mass-produce.

• Katherine Johnson (1918 – 2020) was a physicist and mathematician. Johnson was an aerospace technologist, calculating trajectories for many NASA missions in the 1960s—including the moon landing.

• Jane C. Wright (1919 – 2013) was a biologist and physician. Wright was a pioneer in blood cancer research, becoming the first woman president of the New York Cancer Society.

• James Edward Maceo West (1931 – present) is known for developing the “electroacoustic transducer.” The compact device is currently found in 90 percent of modern microphones, most telephones, old tape recorders, camcorders, and other devices such as hearing aids and baby monitors.

• Harold Amos (1918 – 2003) was the First African American to earn a Medical Doctorate from Harvard Medical School’s Division of Medical Science in 1952.