Happy Black History Month Everybody!!!

[original man]

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html

I thought this was cool.


Inventor of the blood bank: Dr. Charles Drew, 1940.

[original man]

Wonder what that ^^^ was about?

[JimGP20]

Wonder what that ^^^ was about?

I had made a joke about your avatar being Malcolm X, but your tagline saying "Man...she's hot. :D But then you changed it, so I deleted my post.

[noose4]

have a great month!!!

[original man]

I had made a joke about your avatar being Malcolm X, but your tagline saying "Man...she's hot. :D But then you changed it, so I deleted my post.

yeah, i saw that as was like, "oh snap". that's not cool.

[original man]

have a great month!!!

you too. gonna see if i can learn something new as well. lots of positive information out there that doesn't get much coverage.

[original man]

In 1926 Woodson organized the first annual Negro History Week, which took place during the second week of February. Woodson chose this date to co-incide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln - two men who had greatly impacted the black population.


http://www.history.com/minisites/blackhistory/

[lesterge]

I had made a joke about your avatar being Malcolm X, but your tagline saying "Man...she's hot. :D But then you changed it, so I deleted my post.

Well, he was a good looking guy...

Happy Black History Month!

[tatervt]

Why does if have to be the shortest month of the year??

what a jip

[original man]

Elijah McCoy (1843 or 1844-1929) was a mechanical engineer and inventor. McCoy's high-quality industrial inventions (especially his steam engine lubricator) were the basis for the expression "the real McCoy," meaning the real, authentic, or high-quality thing.


http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/black.shtml

[original man]

Garrett Augustus Morgan (March 4, 1877 - August 27, 1963), was an African-American inventor and businessman. He was the first person to patent a traffic signal. He also developed the gas mask (and many other inventions). Morgan used his gas mask (patent No. 1,090,936, 1914) to rescue miners who were trapped underground in a noxious mine. Soon after, Morgan was asked to produce gas masks for the US Army.


http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/black.shtml

[original man]

Why does if have to be the shortest month of the year??

what a jip

see above post of mine which explains the reasoning behind the choice of February.

[hmurchison]

Brother Malcom!

Excellent avy choice original man. May we all have blessing this Feb.

[jb1500]

I didn't realize there was a black congressman from South Carolina back in 1870 and a black Senator from Mississippi in 1871. That must have taken a lot of courage to try to break into those ranks at that time. DC was still quite segregated when I was growing up in the 50's and 60's.

[tatervt]

President's day during Black History month....oh the irony

[notluzn]

Happy White History Month. Yeah thats racist. Lame Thread

[doghouse]

see above post of mine which explains the reasoning behind the choice of February.


Why not year round like all Americans do?

[Mikko]

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html

I thought this was cool.

Happy Black History Month to you. I hope History and Discovery have some informative docs on about African American history.

[hmurchison]

Happy White History Month. Yeah thats racist. Lame Thread

Recognizing black achievement in Feb isn't racist. Don't strain your flegdling brain cells on this though. If you don't like the thread feel free to skip over it.

[doghouse]

Recognizing black achievement in Feb isn't racist. Don't strain your flegdling brain cells on this though. If you don't like the thread feel free to skip over it.

Recognize it year round. What is so special about February?

See it's this type of deliniation that makes some people crazy. We should celebrate through recognition on the dates that are normally associated with that person or achievement.
ON MLK's birthday, we celebrate his life and achievements, why not all great men and events when they occur.

[plsd2mechu]

Vivien T. Thomas was a key player in pioneering the anastomosis of the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery.The surgical work he performed with Alfred Blalock paved the way for the successful outcome of the Blalock-Taussig shunt.





http://www.medicalarchives.jhmi.edu/vthomas.htm

[hmurchison]

Giving focus to black History in a month allows for special programming to be delivered. Black families employ black History month year round but I'm not sure that's something a non-black family is going to do so why not have a month where a bit of focus is put on a specific history.

I'd be interested in other "xxxx history months" because it would allow me to peer deeper into another culture and learn about their history even though I do not have the time or inclination to do that year 'round.

[plsd2mechu]

Thanks for starting this thread OG.

I will do my best to post something interesting once a day.

[hmurchison]

Vivien T. Thomas was a key player in pioneering the anastomosis of the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery.The surgical work he performed with Alfred Blalock paved the way for the successful outcome of the Blalock-Taussig shunt.

http://www.medicalarchives.jhmi.edu/vthomas.htm

Ahhh you beat me to it. For the Cliff Notes version check out the solid movie featureing Mos Def as Viven Thomas.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386792/ 8.3 rating. Good.

[original man]

Happy White History Month. Yeah thats racist. Lame Thread

Thanks.


































for nothing.

[original man]

Why not year round like all Americans do?

i didn't start black history month, or week. maybe you can do some research on Carver to understand his reasoning for creating black history week. matter of fact, when you are done with your research, why don't you write up a quick paragraph enlightening us all?

[original man]

ON MLK's birthday, we celebrate his life and achievements, why not all great men and events when they occur.

not all of us, some of us dress up in black face and hold "gangsta" parties. 40's, guns and all.

[original man]

Thanks for starting this thread OG.

I will do my best to post something interesting once a day.

that's triple OG. and i'm going to attempt to do the same thing.

[XTankLt]

CPL Todd Corbin - Navy Cross Receipient.

http://www.beliefnet.com/imgs/mipy/2006/ThumbLg_todd.jpg

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism as Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement Driver, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Hadithah, Iraq. On 7 May 2005, enemy forces ambushed Lance Corporal Corbin's platoon using a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device, rocket-propelled grenades, and machine guns. Instantly, three of the four vehicles were severely damaged and eleven of sixteen Marines suffered casualties. Lance Corporal Corbin immediately repositioned his truck directly between the enemy and many of the wounded. He radioed the situation to the battalion and leapt into the enemy fire, directing Marines to engage and marking targets. He ran to his fallen patrol leader, threw him onto his shoulder and carried him to safety while firing at the enemy with his off-hand. He re-crossed the kill zone, made his way to his fallen corpsman, bound his wounds and began carrying him. As he began to move, the enemy engaged at close range and Lance Corporal Corbin threw himself on a wounded Marine and shielded him as friendly machine gun fire suppressed the enemy. Organizing Marines to suppress and repel the ambush, he then, on five occasions, ran through enemy fire, recovered dead or wounded personnel, and returned them to his truck. When the casualties were loaded onto his heavily damaged vehicle, he activated its emergency systems and drove it out of the kill zone and through the city to a battalion aid station five miles away. Due to his heroism, no Marine lost his life after the initial attack. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Corbin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

[JimGP20]

CPL Todd Corbin - Navy Cross Receipient.

http://www.beliefnet.com/imgs/mipy/2006/ThumbLg_todd.jpg

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism as Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement Driver, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Hadithah, Iraq. On 7 May 2005, enemy forces ambushed Lance Corporal Corbin's platoon using a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device, rocket-propelled grenades, and machine guns. Instantly, three of the four vehicles were severely damaged and eleven of sixteen Marines suffered casualties. Lance Corporal Corbin immediately repositioned his truck directly between the enemy and many of the wounded. He radioed the situation to the battalion and leapt into the enemy fire, directing Marines to engage and marking targets. He ran to his fallen patrol leader, threw him onto his shoulder and carried him to safety while firing at the enemy with his off-hand. He re-crossed the kill zone, made his way to his fallen corpsman, bound his wounds and began carrying him. As he began to move, the enemy engaged at close range and Lance Corporal Corbin threw himself on a wounded Marine and shielded him as friendly machine gun fire suppressed the enemy. Organizing Marines to suppress and repel the ambush, he then, on five occasions, ran through enemy fire, recovered dead or wounded personnel, and returned them to his truck. When the casualties were loaded onto his heavily damaged vehicle, he activated its emergency systems and drove it out of the kill zone and through the city to a battalion aid station five miles away. Due to his heroism, no Marine lost his life after the initial attack. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Corbin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

If there are men like this in our country, then our future is bright. I would love to meet this gentleman and shake his hand. Very good post.

[waynevan]

I didn't realize there was a black congressman from South Carolina back in 1870 and a black Senator from Mississippi in 1871. That must have taken a lot of courage to try to break into those ranks at that time. DC was still quite segregated when I was growing up in the 50's and 60's.

It was actually much easier in that time than it was in the years between 1890 and the late 1960's. In the 1890's, most southern states used legislation and rewriting of state constitutions to disenfranchise blacks in almost every way imaginable.

[jb1500]

Thanks.




for nothing.


Ignore him! He's vicious to everyone--no matter what the race.:D

[notluzn]

First off, If they had a White History Month it would be Racist. Just like WET TV would be racist. Blacks have BET but thats ok. I don't think we should make any month a Race / Gender month. Why not the day that that person died?

[notluzn]

not all of us, some of us dress up in black face and hold "gangsta" parties. 40's, guns and all.
Did it affect you? I think not. It actually hurt no one. Do you hate free speech? I bet those guys have Black friends to.

[plsd2mechu]

Does anyone else hear that buzzing sound?

[hmurchison]

First off, If they had a White History Month it would be Racist. Just like WET TV would be racist. Blacks have BET but thats ok. I don't think we should make any month a Race / Gender month. Why not the day that that person died?

What a puerile and low brow argument. Ask yourself why whites need a WET or White History Month. How about about engaging your brain for a change and desconstructing the reasons why a minority group/culture would require a specific focus on the needs of their culture.

The world you wish where race/gender/ethnicity doesn't matter will never exist. So with that in mind I choose to learn about other cultures and improve my knowledge rather than engage in futuile attempts pander to some fantasy about utopia. It's idealistic and noble granted but the acknowledgment of races and gender need not be met with jaundiced attitudes.

Black History Month is an opportunity to put the spotlight on a a specific culture and recognize their achievement. Please feel free to let me know when it's time to focus on Irish or Italian or Chinese accomplishements and I'll gladly watch and learn.

[notluzn]

Does anyone else hear that buzzing sound? Anyone hear about that racist month? February! Of course you can't see my point of view.

You don't think that Black Leaders would be up in Arms if someone put forth a White History Month? Yeah:rolleyes:

[plsd2mechu]

It's kinda like static.......

I can make out a few words.............

Hold on..................

Yeah, I hear words within the static...........

hold on.......yeah.....I hear.....

"whine.....bitch.....****......moan......whine..... ..."

Yep. It keeps repeating those words.

I'll just ignore it.

[original man]

Did it affect you? I think not. It actually hurt no one. Do you hate free speech? I bet those guys have Black friends to.

yeah, i hate free speech. got any other bs talking points? and i bet those guys never had a black friend.

[notluzn]

What a puerile and low brow argument. Ask yourself why whites need a WET or White History Month. How about about engaging your brain for a change and desconstructing the reasons why a minority group/culture would require a specific focus on the needs of their culture.

The world you wish where race/gender/ethnicity doesn't matter will never exist. So with that in mind I choose to learn about other cultures and improve my knowledge rather than engage in futuile attempts pander to some fantasy about utopia. It's idealistic and noble granted but the acknowledgment of races and gender need not be met with jaundiced attitudes.

Black History Month is an opportunity to put the spotlight on a a specific culture and recognize their achievement. Please feel free to let me know when it's time to focus on Irish or Italian or Chinese accomplishements and I'll gladly watch and learn.

Why do Blacks need BET or a Black History Month? So when are Black Leaders going to make a Condi Rice Day or a Collin Powell Day? I would much rather perfer if we reconized these people on the day they were born or died.

[notluzn]

yeah, i hate free speech. got any other bs talking points? and i bet those guys never had a black friend.

So do you think I have Black Friends? :rolleyes: I called you out and you still can't answer the question about certain things.

[original man]

Anyone hear about that racist month? February! Of course you can't see my point of view.

You don't think that Black Leaders would be up in Arms if someone put forth a White History Month? Yeah:rolleyes:

what about the white history centuries that took place in this country where anyone not white wasn't even considered human? seriously, if you don't like this thread, stay out. i really wanted this to be something positive and you are ruining it. if you really think you can just switch out the history of blacks in this country with the history of whites, then you are just ignorant of the two distinctly different histories.

[notluzn]

It's kinda like static.......

I can make out a few words.............

Hold on..................

Yeah, I hear words within the static...........

hold on.......yeah.....I hear.....

"whine.....bitch.....****......moan......whine..... ..."

Yep. It keeps repeating those words.

I'll just ignore it. Truth Hurts huh. :)) :)) :))

[jb1500]

It's kinda like static.......

I can make out a few words.............

Hold on..................

Yeah, I hear words within the static...........

hold on.......yeah.....I hear.....

"whine.....bitch.....****......moan......whine..... ..."

Yep. It keeps repeating those words.

I'll just ignore it.

:D

[plsd2mechu]

Buzzzzzz.......whine

buzzzzz.......bitch

buzzzz.........MOAN

[notluzn]

what about the white history centuries that took place in this country where anyone not white wasn't even considered human? seriously, if you don't like this thread, stay out. i really wanted this to be something positive and you are ruining it. if you really think you can just switch out the history of blacks in this country with the history of whites, then you are just ignorant of the two distinctly different histories.

I guess you missed what MLK said. Sad to say but he was right and you are wrong.

[krowe]

First off, If they had a White History Month it would be Racist. Just like WET TV would be racist. Blacks have BET but thats ok. I don't think we should make any month a Race / Gender month. Why not the day that that person died?

Blacks don't have BET. It's a channel anyone with cable or sat. can access.

[notluzn]

Blacks don't have BET. It's a channel anyone with cable or sat. can access. What does BET stand for? Thanks :))

[krowe]

Did it affect you? I think not. It actually hurt no one. Do you hate free speech? I bet those guys have Black friends to.

I would guess it affected him as much as this thread affects you. Funny, why someone does a lame "gangsta" party, you say "who cares". When someone is speaking about a nationally recognized month, you say it's lame.

[notluzn]

I would guess it affected him as much as this thread affects you. Funny, why someone does a lame "gangsta" party, you say "who cares". When someone is speaking about a nationally recognized month, you say it's lame.
OK You Think Blacks don't make fun of Whites? Black Actors? OMG what Cave are you in? They do it on TV and in the Movies.. I don't hear an Uproar.

[The Electric Head]

Black history month is not a necessity nor is it an evil. I'm rather indifferent on Black History month.

The writers of most history were in fact white, and yes for a rather large and crucial part of written history they believed themselves to be above blacks and discredited blacks whenever they had the chance. I feel it'd be more effective to talk about blacks in history year round than it would be to talk about them only for one month.

Black culture and black history is something that should be preserved and held dear. It shouldn't be up to the government or even schools to do it.

[Yankee in NC]

Warren C. Coleman was a slave that, once free, became quite a successful businessman in the Charlotte area. He became the first black textile mill owner in the US. He now has a street named after him in a town near me. I happen to sing with his great great niece in my church choir.

[krowe]

What does BET stand for? Thanks :))

That's not what you said. You said blacks "have" BET.

*Checking my pockets*


Nope. No BET in there. Don't be mad because you can't afford cable.

[The Electric Head]

OK You Think Blacks don't make fun of Whites? Black Actors? OMG what Cave are you in? They do it on TV and in the Movies.. I don't hear an Uproar.

There's a double standard. Everyone knows it, anyone who denies it is an idiot. Stop pretending like it bothers you just to prove a point.

[krowe]

OK You Think Blacks don't make fun of Whites? Black Actors? OMG what Cave are you in? They do it on TV and in the Movies.. I don't hear an Uproar.


I didn't realize those college students were actors and did that party as part of some kind of presentation.

[Last Person]

Thanks for starting this thread OG.

I will do my best to post something interesting once a day.
Something interesting once would be a good start.










:razz: :angel:

[krowe]

There's a double standard. Everyone knows it, anyone who denies it is an idiot. Stop pretending like it bothers you just to prove a point.


I fully believe that there is not one black person in America that would devote time to create a "party" soley on the misconceptions of another race.

[The Electric Head]

I fully believe that there is not one black person in America that would devote time to create a "party" soley on the misconceptions of another race.

You're right, they just build entire careers out of it.

[krowe]

You're right, they just build entire careers out of it.

Mencia isn't black.

[Bolshevik Hunter]

In celebration of 'Black History Month', I would like to give some respect to a Man that I admire alot, and thats Judge Greg Mathis. He is a very good Judge, and he is witty, quick on his feet and entertaining. His facial expressions kill me. Guys a class act. ~BH

http://www.blackvibes.com/images/stories/Judge_Mathis.jpg

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[JimGP20]

The world you wish where race/gender/ethnicity doesn't matter will never exist.


Why not ?

[plsd2mechu]

Why not ?

Because not all of us have Michael Jackson's money.

[hmurchison]

Why do Blacks need BET or a Black History Month? So when are Black Leaders going to make a Condi Rice Day or a Collin Powell Day? I would much rather perfer if we reconized these people on the day they were born or died.

Because blacks need TV and music programming that reflect the cultural preferences that we desire. Yes there are a black shows on UPN or whatever but the dominant programming on major channels caters to white audiences which isn't racist but correlates to the demographic of watchers. Black History month gives a look at the accomplishments of blacks in History that may not be covered in regular History class. There's nothing wrong with this focus. Black children need to learn that there are more prominent black Historians than Crispus Attucks taking a bullet at the Boston Massacre. No disrespect to the Attuck family.

Note that there TV channels that focus on Latino needs as well. The reason why you don't have WET is because your needs are likely being already met by today's channels but if they wern't then I'd fully support you creating an Irish or Italian entertainment or whatever.

Remember...you didn't have your lineage wiped out because of slavery so you can choose to celebrate your ethinic sub-culture. We cannot. Thus we celebrate our culture in its entirety.

[hmurchison]

Why not ?

Because I'm proud of who and am and I want to know what makes you proud. What you are and what your culture is of interest to me. The problems only come in when I or you attempt to exert my culture as supreme.

When I go to Buca De Beppos(Italian Restaurant) I enjoy the great food but I also enjoy looking at the accomplishments of Italians and what they've added to America. I hate them....I don't whine about them not focusing other cultures. I simply absorb the vibe and culture in the best way I know how. By being curious and open. Therefore I can recognize you as an Italian proud of your accomplishments and lineage.

[Goblinkatie]

It won't exist because people want to feel special and unique. If all you can feel special about is the color of your skin and the bond that gives you with others than you will focus on that and alienate yourself from people who do not share that trait (intentionally or not) because that is your "thing."

BHM isn't a big hackle raiser in my eyes. It's a social holiday, not something enforced by the government. No one is required by law to celebrate it.

[The Electric Head]

Mencia isn't black.

Because he's the only racial comedian in the world.

[krowe]

Samuel R. Lowery became the first Black lawyer to actually argue a case before the Supreme Court on Feb 2, 1866. One year and one day earlier, John S. Rock was the first Black admitted to practice before the Court.

[JimGP20]

Because not all of us have Michael Jackson's money.


Neither do I.. but why not aspire to one day reach Dr. King's dream ?

[madasheck]

Happy Black History Month, everyone.

[JimGP20]

Because I'm proud of who and am and I want to know what makes you proud. What you are and what your culture is of interest to me. The problems only come in when I or you attempt to exert my culture as supreme.

When I go to Buca De Beppos(Italian Restaurant) I enjoy the great food but I also enjoy looking at the accomplishments of Italians and what they've added to America. I hate them....I don't whine about them not focusing other cultures. I simply absorb the vibe and culture in the best way I know how. By being curious and open. Therefore I can recognize you as an Italian proud of your accomplishments and lineage.

I'm proud to be an American. I could care less what my lineage is. I am a person who has been blessed by being born in the greatest country on Earth. I don't need to bring some other country or culture here. There is an American culture, and that is what I celebrate. I will never have a hyphen to describe who I am.

[hmurchison]

I hear you Jim. I'm an American as well. I hate the hyphen stuff. If you did care about your lineage I would respect that. I don't need to ignore your culture or lineage though to honor you.

Nice banner.

[ExDem]

Basing anything on skin color is pure ignorance. If skin color doesn't matter (and it does not) why all the "Black" this and "Black" that. Stupid.

Black History Month---Stupid
Black Entertainment Television---Stupid
Black Caucus----Stupid-----Real Stupid
White History Month---Stupid (if it existed)
White Entertainment Television---Stupid (if it existed)
Etc. Etc.

These kind of things just further seperate people and further divide the races. They serve no purpose and help no one. Dumb and ignorant. This was not what MLK had in mind at all. He must be spinning like a top in his grave. Just pathetic.

[hmurchison]

The purpose of skin color is to divide and catagorize.

Nothing good can come from it really but who's going to stop it?

[krowe]

Basing anything on skin color is pure ignorance. If skin color doesn't matter (and it does not) why all the "Black" this and "Black" that. Stupid.

Black History Month---Stupid
Black Entertainment Television---Stupid
Black Caucus----Stupid-----Real Stupid
White History Month---Stupid (if it existed)
White Entertainment Television---Stupid (if it existed)
Etc. Etc.

These kind of things just further seperate people and further divide the races. They serve no purpose and help no one. Dumb and ignorant. This was not what MLK had in mind at all. He must be spinning like a top in his grave. Just pathetic.

I can't tell the difference between BET and MTV. Is MTV stupid?

[krowe]

Neither do I.. but why not aspire to one day reach Dr. King's dream ?

I got my own dream. Stop reciting one half line out of some speech to try and control others.

[notluzn]

MLK is spinning in his grave. It's a shame that most blacks want to be reconized for their color and not what they actually did. HAHAHAHAHAHA

[madasheck]

Basing anything on skin color is pure ignorance. If skin color doesn't matter (and it does not) why all the "Black" this and "Black" that. Stupid.

Black History Month---Stupid
Black Entertainment Television---Stupid
Black Caucus----Stupid-----Real Stupid
White History Month---Stupid (if it existed)
White Entertainment Television---Stupid (if it existed)
Etc. Etc.

These kind of things just further seperate people and further divide the races. They serve no purpose and help no one. Dumb and ignorant. This was not what MLK had in mind at all. He must be spinning like a top in his grave. Just pathetic.

Thanks for showing us all how stupid you are.

[krowe]

MLK is spinning in his grave. It's a shame that most blacks want to be reconized for their color and not what they actually did. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Huh? The purpose of this thread was to recognized actual events and doings. Silly little confused man.

[notluzn]

Remember...you didn't have your lineage wiped out because of slavery so you can choose to celebrate your ethinic sub-culture. We cannot. Thus we celebrate our culture in its entirety. Yeah, whites were never slaves. LMAO :)) :)) Doesn't it suck knowing that the Dominate Black tribes of Africa sold the lesser ones out to slave trade? Yeah, that sucks but looks whos in a better country now. :))

[krowe]

Once again, the higher the number of :)), the lower the IQ of the post.

[notluzn]

Huh? The purpose of this thread was to recognized actual events and doings. Silly little confused man.Lets see, someone started a thread about Black History Month and I put my debate into it. I aksed the question of how blacks would feel if Whites did that and you danced around the question.

[notluzn]

Once again, the higher the number of :)), the lower the IQ of the post.

Thats sucks for you.... :))

[ExDem]

I can't tell the difference between BET and MTV. Is MTV stupid?

I think MTV is stupid. What does that have to do with basing something on skin color?

[ExDem]

Thanks for showing us all how stupid you are.

Care to elaborate?

[krowe]

Lets see, someone started a thread about Black History Month and I put my debate into it. I aksed the question of how blacks would feel if Whites did that and you danced around the question.

I don't dance. Tell you what, since you admittedly entered this thread with no intention of participation (only derailment) of this thread... enlighten me. For only you it is white history month. Please educate me on the subject.

[krowe]

I think MTV is stupid. What does that have to do with basing something on skin color?

Paper dollars don't have skin. That's what BET is based on.

[krowe]

Thats sucks for you.... :))

At times I can't tell you apart from Girl4Bush.

[notluzn]

I don't dance. Tell you what, since you admittedly entered this thread with no intention of participation (only derailment) of this thread... enlighten me. For only you it is white history month. Please educate me on the subject.You are dumb huh? Can't debate me with Facts at all. You for one cannot tell me that Blacks can't racist or do those things..

[krowe]

You are dumb huh? Can't debate me with Facts at all. You for one cannot tell me that Blacks can't racist or do those things..

Dude, I have no clue what you are talking about. When did you give a fact?

[RickRhetoric]

Fo shizzle!

[ExDem]

Paper dollars don't have skin. That's what BET is based on.
Oh. So WET would be fine also, as long as it makes a profit? Gotcha.

[notluzn]

Dude, I have no clue what you are talking about. When did you give a fact? I didn't know rocks had Computers. HAHAHAHA :)) Yep you think only Whites are racist..

[krowe]

Oh. So WET would be fine also, as long as it makes a profit? Gotcha.
There is a market for BET, that's why it is successful. Is there a market for a white entertainment station?

[krowe]

I didn't know rocks had Computers. HAHAHAHA :)) Yep you think only Whites are racist..

Wow. You need a bahamavention.

[madasheck]

On Feb. 1 in African-American history:
* 1834: Bishop Henry McNeal Turner was born.
* 1902: Writer Langston Hughes was born.
* 1956: The Montgomery Improvement Association filed suit in the United States District Court challenging the constitutionality of bus segregation.
* 1960: Four students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College sat down at a Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro. This led to the spead of sit-ins throughout the South.
* 1965: Martin Luther King and 250 marchers were arrested after marching in Selma, Alabama for voting rights.
* 2003: Michael Anderson was one of seven astronauts who died aboard the shuttle Columbia 16 minutes prior to its landing in Florida.

For more on Black History Month: http://afroamhistory.about.com/blblackhistorymonth.htm

[BlackPuertoRican]

Happy "Black American" History Month.

Two non-American blacks who deserve to be recognized as well:

Arturo (Arthur) A. Schomberg
Roberto Clemente

[The Libertarian Guy]

If I don't participate, does that make me racist? :rolleyes:

[BlackPuertoRican]

If I don't participate, does that make me racist? :rolleyes:

Not at all.

I have never participated in an official activity related to this month in the 6 years I've been in this country, actually.

[Bolshevik Hunter]

If I don't participate, does that make me racist? :rolleyes:

No, it makes you smart. Just one whisper and the next thing you know the race-baiters are labeling you a stormfront clown. LOL!!!! ;)

I will say however, that I have not seen alot of that in this thread as much as I have seen it on other threads here. I wonder why? ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[The Libertarian Guy]

Not at all.

I have never participated in an official activity related to this month in the 6 years I've been in this country, actually.

You DO know, I was just being my semi-charming, sarcastic self. :)

[Bolshevik Hunter]

Not at all.

I have never participated in an official activity related to this month in the 6 years I've been in this country, actually.

BPR, that is because you are an honorable cat bro. ;) ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[The Libertarian Guy]

No, it makes you smart. Just one whisper and the next thing you know the race-baiters are labeling you a stormfront clown. LOL!!!! ;)

I will say however, that I have not seen alot of that in this thread as much as I have seen it on other threads here. I wonder why? ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

I've met a bona-fide white-supremacist moron, and he is one reason we need to use the word "racist" as it is defined by the dictionary.

Then again, I haven't had the mispleasure of meeting Louis Farrakhan... :think:

[Bolshevik Hunter]

I've met a bona-fide white-supremacist moron, and he is one reason we need to use the word "racist" as it is defined by the dictionary.

Then again, I haven't had the mispleasure of meeting Louis Farrakhan... :think:

I hear you bro. ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[notluzn]

I've met a bona-fide white-supremacist moron, and he is one reason we need to use the word "racist" as it is defined by the dictionary.

Then again, I haven't had the mispleasure of meeting Louis Farrakhan... :think:

Both would be just as bad. It's a sad world when we have people like them. Ying Yang I guess.

[Poisonshady313]

Why does if have to be the shortest month of the year??

what a jip
Which month do Asians get?

[Bolshevik Hunter]

Both would be just as bad. It's a sad world when we have people like them. Ying Yang I guess.

I think the point is its important to give the label to those who deserve it. Its kind of like the anti-semite label, just because you don't agree with every U.S Policy concerning Israel doesn't mean you should be labeled a supporter of Islamo facists or Neo-Nazis.

I mean, lets say you don't approve of MLK day taking one of the former president days that were called Washingtons day and Lincoln's day, and you think that Lincoln did more for Black Americans and you feel his day should not have been abolished, nor Washington's, and combined into one Presidents day? Well, you might think like me that they should have kept both Lincoln and Washington's days and added another legal holiday for MLK? Instead we got MLK day, and Presidents day.

My point, some people have views and opinions, but it doesn't put them in the same group as some David Duke, Adolf Hitler or Louis Farakahn. I think some folks try to put all people with opinions other than the typical leftist brainwashing race-bating stereotype ones in the same group, and that is counter-productive and it is wrong. ~BH


http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[Bolshevik Hunter]

Which month do Asians get?

Good point. Where does it end? We might just run out of Months. After all, we only have 12. ;)~BH


http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[brownhornett]

Oh. So WET would be fine also, as long as it makes a profit? Gotcha.

I thought country music televison was WET.

[waynevan]

I thought country music televison was WET.

That was a previous generation. :angel:

[doghouse]

i didn't start black history month, or week. maybe you can do some research on Carver to understand his reasoning for creating black history week. matter of fact, when you are done with your research, why don't you write up a quick paragraph enlightening us all?

I thought you knew everything.

[doghouse]

Because not all of us have Michael Jackson's money.


MJ is Black?

[doghouse]

Deleted,,,Duplicate response...

[JimGP20]

I thought country music televison was WET.


Another moronic statement. There is nothing in country music that tells blacks that they are not welcome. If there are not many blacks in country music, it is their choice, most likely because most blacks do not enjoy that genre. It's like the whole deal that happened last year in NASCAR when Bill Lester drove in a race. Since he was black, all of a sudden it's supposed to be OK for black people to watch NASCAR. Well, what on earth stopped them from watching it before? It's a disservice to blacks to think that they are incapable of enjoying something unless there is a black person participating.

[plsd2mechu]

Stagecoach Mary Fields



Born a slave in Tennessee in 1832, this tall, powerfully built woman was ambitious, daring and liked a good fight. With no formal education, she forged her way to Ohio and on to the Montana Territory. Declaring herself the protector of the Ursuline nuns at St. Peter's Catholic Mission near Cascade,Montana, Mary defended those she loved from predators on two legs as well as four. She delivered the mail by stagecoach, never missing a day until she was almost 80 years old. She died in Cascade in 1914.

http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/fiel-mar.htm

[Andrew_980]

If there are not many blacks in country music, it is their choice, most likely because most blacks do not enjoy that genre. It's like the whole deal that happened last year in NASCAR when Bill Lester drove in a race. Since he was black, all of a sudden it's supposed to be OK for black people to watch NASCAR. Well, what on earth stopped them from watching it before?Well you can claim country is racist when as many bllacks are assulted for involvement in it as white boys have been for getting into rap

[madasheck]

On Feb. 2 in African-American History:

# 1839: Edmond Berger invented a spark plug.
# 1924: Jazz musician Sonny Stitt was born.
# 1995: Payload Commander Bernard Harris Jr. was the first African American to walk in space on STS-63 (February 2-11).

[ExDem]

I thought country music televison was WET. I think that is CMT. I avoid it like the plague.

[notluzn]

I think that is CMT. I avoid it like the plague. If they named it WET, the Jesse and Al would be on it like White on Rice. FNF

[Last Person]

Another moronic statement. There is nothing in country music that tells blacks that they are not welcome. If there are not many blacks in country music, it is their choice, most likely because most blacks do not enjoy that genre. It's like the whole deal that happened last year in NASCAR when Bill Lester drove in a race. Since he was black, all of a sudden it's supposed to be OK for black people to watch NASCAR. Well, what on earth stopped them from watching it before? It's a disservice to blacks to think that they are incapable of enjoying something unless there is a black person participating.
I haven't read all of the post here Jim. Did you also point out to notluzn how moronic his statement is about BET since there is nothing preventing all of us with cable from tuning in and watching and enjoying it. In fact, many do.

[BlackPuertoRican]

If they named it WET, the Jesse and Al would be on it like White on Rice. FNF

Yawn...

[Last Person]

Well you can claim country is racist when as many bllacks are assulted for involvement in it as white boys have been for getting into rap
White boys get assaulted for involvement in rap? Poor Kid Rock and Em N' Em(spelling?).

Do any black boys that are involved in rap ever get assaulted or is it just the white boys?

[original man]

it's the history of blacks in this nation which is the cause for black history month. i know it's hard for you all to realize that, but once you do, you will see how absolutely ignorant it is to attempt to replace black history month with "asian" or "italian" or "jewish" any other ethicity month. none of them had to endure what blacks endured in THIS country. understand that, please sit down and attempt to comprehend that the history of blacks in this nation is a very unique one in comparison to other cultures. no other culture was brought here against their will and enslaved for hundreds of years. that is what makes blacks "special" in this regard. that is why black history month is something to honor and cherish. as a "race" we have overcome more here in america than ANYONE. and i'm not looking for pity for the past, just acknowledgement of the past and the HUGE obstacles that blacks have overcome.

[Last Person]

Something in the true spirit of this thread.

First black astronaut honored 30 years after death

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9712/08/astronaut.ap/lawrence.ap.jpg Lawrence December 8, 1997
Web posted at: 9:33 a.m. EST (1433 GMT)
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- Thirty years to the day after his death in an Air Force plane crash, Maj. Robert Lawrence Jr. is being recognized as a full-fledged astronaut, the first black astronaut, in fact.

His sister refuses to dwell on the long bureaucratic struggle to get her brother's name carved into the four-story granite monument that honors astronauts killed in the line of duty.

"The recognition is appropriate whenever it comes," said Barbara Lawrence, a university administrator in New York.
Lawrence's son is less charitable. While gratified that his father's name finally is on the Astronauts Memorial Foundation's Space Mirror, Tracey Lawrence had no intention of attending Monday's dedication ceremony because of "the antagonism, or what might appear to be antagonism, on the part of the board of directors."

"They refused to recognize him. What do they call it? It was really unanimous refusal to recognize him for a period of years," Tracey Lawrence said last week from Chicago, where he runs a philosophical organization. "The folks in the family have suffered a lot through the years because of this ongoing circle of non-recognition."

Lawrence was killed in the crash of an F-104 fighter during a training exercise on December 8, 1967, six months after he was named to the Air Force's manned orbiting laboratory program. The other pilot on board survived.

Had he lived, Lawrence likely would have moved to NASA, as did many of his colleagues when the Air Force canceled the short-lived and unsuccessful orbiting laboratory program in 1969.

Air Force definition of astronaut was different


By National Aeronautics and Space Administration standards, anyone selected for astronaut training is an astronaut, plain and simple. Teacher Christa McAuliffe's name, for example, is on the Space Mirror even though she died without ever reaching space when the shuttle Challenger exploded.

But by Air Force standards of the 1960s, the 32-year-old Lawrence, a test pilot with a Ph.D. in chemistry, never earned his astronaut wings since he never flew as high as the required 50 miles.
"A forgotten figure," says his son.

And because he did not meet that Air Force criteria, the Astronauts Memorial Foundation refused repeatedly to etch Lawrence's name onto the Space Mirror at Kennedy Space Center.

"We wanted to make sure he had the same full honor the other 16 had," explained Jim De Santis, foundation president. "We never wanted a situation where people came to see the Space Mirror and said, 'There were 16 astronauts and there was Maj. Lawrence who was never declared an astronaut.'"

Congressman helps


Everything changed last year when a congressman from Lawrence's hometown of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, persuaded the Air Force to verify Lawrence's astronaut status. Rush saw it as "a classic case of institutional racism."

Lawrence -- who would have been America's lone black astronaut until NASA chose three in 1978 -- officially was confirmed as an astronaut by the Air Force last January. Two weeks later, the foundation's board of directors voted unanimously to add his name alongside 16 others on the Space Mirror.

"I don't think they're bestowing an honor on Lawrence," said James Oberg, an aerospace consultant who pushed long and hard for Lawrence's inclusion. "Having Lawrence's name on the memorial honors the memorial -- not the other way around."

Snip...

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9712/08/astronaut.ap/index.html

[original man]

Something in the true spirit of this thread.

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9712/08/astronaut.ap/index.html

Thank you LP. Thank you indeed.

[original man]

Benjamin Banneker was born in Maryland on November 9, 1731. His father and grandfather were former slaves.

A farmer of modest means, Banneker nevertheless lived a life of unusual achievement. In 1753, the young man borrowed a pocket watch from a well-to-do neighbor; he took it apart and made a drawing of each component, then reassembled the watch and returned it, fully functioning, to its owner.

From his drawings Banneker then proceeded to carve, out of wood, enlarged replicas of each part. Calculating the proper number of teeth for each gear and the necessary relationships between the gears, he constructed a working wooden clock that kept accurate time and struck the hours for over 50 years.

At age 58, Banneker began the study of astronomy and was soon predicting future solar and lunar eclipses. He compiled the ephemeris, or information table, for annual almanacs that were published for the years 1792 through 1797. "Benjamin Banneker's Almanac" was a top seller from Pennsylvania to Virginia and even into Kentucky.

In 1791, Banneker was a technical assistant in the calculating and first-ever surveying of the Federal District, which is now Washington, D.C.

The "Sable Astronomer" was often pointed to as proof that African Americans were not intellectually inferior to European Americans. Thomas Jefferson himself noted this in a letter to Banneker.

Banneker died on Sunday, October 9, 1806 at the age of 74. A few small memorial traces still exist in the Ellicott City/Oella region of Maryland, where Banneker spent his entire life except for the Federal survey. It was not until the 1990s that the actual site of Banneker's home, which burned on the day of his burial, was determined.

In 1980, the U.S. Postal Service issued a postage stamp in his honor.


http://www.progress.org/banneker/bb.html

[JimGP20]

I haven't read all of the post here Jim. Did you also point out to notluzn how moronic his statement is about BET since there is nothing preventing all of us with cable from tuning in and watching and enjoying it. In fact, many do.


Actually, there's a difference. NASCAR is not there to cater to a culture or race (except for car races :D ). It is the North American Stock Car Racing Association. CMT is not there to cater to a culture or race. It is Country Music Television. On the other hand, BET is indeed intended to appeal to a certain culture or race. It is Black Entertainment Television. Can you see the difference? There is absolutely nothing stopping black people from enjoying NASCAR or CMT, and there is nothing stopping other races from enjoying BET, but it's only BET that is putting it's racial preference at the forefront.

[original man]

Actually, there's a difference. NASCAR is not there to cater to a culture or race (except for car races :D ). It is the North American Stock Car Racing Association. CMT is not there to cater to a culture or race. It is Country Music Television. On the other hand, BET is indeed intended to appeal to a certain culture or race. It is Black Entertainment Television. Can you see the difference? There is absolutely nothing stopping black people from enjoying NASCAR or CMT, and there is nothing stopping other races from enjoying BET, but it's only BET that is putting it's racial preference at the forefront.

and why was it put on the forefront? seriously, you kill me. did you ever think why BET was created 20+ years ago? i'll tell you and then you can go research it on your own. BET was created by Rob Johnson because blacks were not being represented on television (soaps, movies, news, etc...). and in addition he felt that shows with black actors and actresses were not being carried on major networks. also, music videos that blacks enjoyed were not being played. so he created BET. perhaps you should write a letter to Viacom and ask them to change the name of BET too. who does telemundo target? what about the new christian television stations, are you mad at them too? i mean come on, preaching all day long, putting their religion on the forefront, who are they kidding right?

[Andrew_980]

Do any black boys that are involved in rap ever get assaulted or is it just the white boys?
The white kids are targeted because of race, you know like as in hate crime. The blacks that are attacked by other rappers are for personal or gang reasons.

[Bolshevik Hunter]

it's the history of blacks in this nation which is the cause for black history month. i know it's hard for you all to realize that, but once you do, you will see how absolutely ignorant it is to attempt to replace black history month with "asian" or "italian" or "jewish" any other ethicity month. none of them had to endure what blacks endured in THIS country. understand that, please sit down and attempt to comprehend that the history of blacks in this nation is a very unique one in comparison to other cultures. no other culture was brought here against their will and enslaved for hundreds of years. that is what makes blacks "special" in this regard. that is why black history month is something to honor and cherish. as a "race" we have overcome more here in america than ANYONE. and i'm not looking for pity for the past, just acknowledgement of the past and the HUGE obstacles that blacks have overcome.

Ya, your right. You have overcame alot. I don't think you need a special month to recognize that, but its not hurting anyone. Fact is, we will sooner or later have every race in America wanting their special month. Oh, and I would say that The American Indians deserve a Month before Blacks personally. Alot of them were eradicated, and had their land taken from them. Someone would have taken it from them either way I know, so I am glad that Americans did instead lets say The Spanish or French. Native Americans should have atleast gotten a State, but I don't want to jump off subject here, and thats the past.

Original Man, I am just curious, do you blame basically whites for past Black slavery or not? ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[hmurchison]

BET is important for blacks even though there are "many" issues with the station.

On the major networks blacks can only really request programming that aligns with our demographics. If we're %13 of the population we cannot expect to see %30 of programming catering to our wishes. BET allows %100 of programming to cater to blacks and there's nothing wrong with that. MTV started and catered to whites unapologetically.

As a black male I want to see more black women. I don't want to see European ideals of beauty but that of my own culture's. That's important to us and we need a venue for our culture to get focus.

We need more focus on our historical achievements. This doesn't take anything from another culture but adds to our own. There is no logical reason why blacks shouldn't enjoy NASCAR. There's no logical reason why blacks shouldn't enjoy Country music. But there is a logical reason why blacks need a station like BET. There is a logical reason why Latinos need Telemundo.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

hmurchison, why do you even bother? Every year, the usual suspects drag this **** out all over again.


ETA: OM, good thread.


Nill illigitimi carborundum

[hmurchison]

hmurchison, why do you even bother? Every year, the usual suspects drag this **** out all over again.


I know. I must be a ****ing glutton for punishment.

[ExDem]

If they named it WET, the Jesse and Al would be on it like White on Rice. FNF

Al and Jesse would be all over it-----until they got a little something slipped under the table and then they would be fine with it. Let's face it, extortion is their strong suit. They are in it for themselves and only themselves. Well, Jesse did get an AB distributorship for his son, but I am sure ole Jesse gets a little kickback from that, too. Oh, yeah.

[original man]

<snip>
We need more focus on our historical achievements.<snip>

hopefully this will sink in with some folk around here. all most whites know about is Slaver, MLK and maybe Malcom X. and you can see by white college parties how they are beginning (or not) to feel about MLK. black face, guns and all.

[Bolshevik Hunter]

MTV started and catered to whites unapologetically.

h, Thats not true bro, MTV got its jump start from Michael Jackson's Thriller videos. RUNDMC was a huge impact on MTV's early days just as Prince, kool and the Gang, Lionel Richie and many other Black artists did that I can't remember at the top of my head. Gangsta Rap is what really launched MTV's Black influenced product, and that is because prior to the early 90's most Black Artists were only involved in R&B and the break dancing mixing era.

As a black male I want to see more black women. I don't want to see European ideals of beauty but that of my own culture's. That's important to us and we need a venue for our culture to get focus.

I understand that. I don't have a problem with BET. I watch it sometimes. ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[Andrew_980]

What they need to do is teach AMERICAN history and the accomplishment and downfalls of people of all kinds in a factual and non-politically correct way. Don't teach about "white america" and do a black month, teach all of our history and include the notables from all colors.

[original man]

Original Man, I am just curious, do you blame basically whites for past Black slavery or not? ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

50% since it was a two party transaction. but the treatment of blacks for almost 100 years following the abolition of slavery, i blame 100% on whites and codified racism. and i don't say that to make anyone feel guilty for anything. i'm just looking at historical facts that too many wish for me to ignore. during slavery and pre civil rights attainment, blacks contributed greatly to this growth of this country. and yet most whites and blacks are ignorant of those countributions due to an educational system that doesn't celebrate every cultures additions to this nation. perhaps when history books stop relying solely on two chapters dedicated to MLK cover the black diaspora, and broaden teaching other great african americans, we can get rid of BHM.

[original man]

What they need to do is teach AMERICAN history and the accomplishment and downfalls of people of all kinds in a factual and non-politically correct way. Don't teach about "white america" and do a black month, teach all of our history and include the notables from all colors.

i can agree with this. but this isn't done and so you have black history month, 80 years after it was created too.

[XTankLt]

Every American Soldier and cop can honor this man.

Garrett Morgan 1877-1963
Inventor of the Gas Mask and Traffic Light.

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blgas_mask.htm

http://z.about.com/d/inventors/1/0/o/B/morgan.gif

[doghouse]

it's the history of blacks in this nation which is the cause for black history month. i know it's hard for you all to realize that, but once you do, you will see how absolutely ignorant it is to attempt to replace black history month with "asian" or "italian" or "jewish" any other ethicity month. none of them had to endure what blacks endured in THIS country. understand that, please sit down and attempt to comprehend that the history of blacks in this nation is a very unique one in comparison to other cultures. no other culture was brought here against their will and enslaved for hundreds of years. that is what makes blacks "special" in this regard. that is why black history month is something to honor and cherish. as a "race" we have overcome more here in america than ANYONE. and i'm not looking for pity for the past, just acknowledgement of the past and the HUGE obstacles that blacks have overcome.

Misogynation, the crossing of the races dilutes your statement about race. Even in discussions that involve one of our Founding fathers...we see that it brings a different perspective on the question of Race.

As a matter of fact to quote "ANNETTE GORDON-REED: Oh, absolutely. I think the moral of this story is the thing this shows very clearly, is that we're not two separate people, black and white; we are a people who share a common culture, a common land, and it turns out a common blood line, and this is something that we haven't wanted to deal with openly. And talking about Jefferson, which people like to do, I think is a good vehicle for exploring that question."

[hmurchison]

Jefferson LOVED him so black women.

I think Jefferson would have been a BET watcher ;)

I think the real issue here is how intolerant you really want to be? There are three major reactions that one can have regarding any subject. They can support the subject or rebuke it or remain indifferent.

There's nothing wrong with having Black History Month or any other grouping. It's what we internalize that causes the issues. It really is just perception

[Bolshevik Hunter]

50% since it was a two party transaction. but the treatment of blacks for almost 100 years following the abolition of slavery, i blame 100% on whites and codified racism. and i don't say that to make anyone feel guilty for anything. i'm just looking at historical facts that too many wish for me to ignore. during slavery and pre civil rights attainment, blacks contributed greatly to this growth of this country. and yet most whites and blacks are ignorant of those countributions due to an educational system that doesn't celebrate every cultures additions to this nation. perhaps when history books stop relying solely on two chapters dedicated to MLK cover the black diaspora, and broaden teaching other great african americans, we can get rid of BHM.

Fair enough. ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[original man]

Fair enough. ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

and fair is all that i will i'll ever ask of someone.

[plsd2mechu]

and fair all that i will i'll ever ask of someone.


If you are EVER in NYC, the drinks are on me baby.

[plsd2mechu]

That goes for all the other patient souls here too.

[original man]

If you are EVER in NYC, the drinks are on me baby.

don't know if you can afford my drinking habit. i loves the good stuff....

[plsd2mechu]

don't know if you can afford my drinking habit. i loves the good stuff....

For you?

I'd give up the monthly shoe allowance.

[waynevan]

it's the history of blacks in this nation which is the cause for black history month. i know it's hard for you all to realize that, but once you do, you will see how absolutely ignorant it is to attempt to replace black history month with "asian" or "italian" or "jewish" any other ethicity month. none of them had to endure what blacks endured in THIS country. understand that, please sit down and attempt to comprehend that the history of blacks in this nation is a very unique one in comparison to other cultures. no other culture was brought here against their will and enslaved for hundreds of years. that is what makes blacks "special" in this regard. that is why black history month is something to honor and cherish. as a "race" we have overcome more here in america than ANYONE. and i'm not looking for pity for the past, just acknowledgement of the past and the HUGE obstacles that blacks have overcome.

The most moving book I ever read was the self narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass. His first day laboring at work as a free man is described in, well hell I can't even describe it, but if you read it you know exactly what I mean.

[hmurchison]

Who's the author? I'll add it to my Amazon wishlist. FD was an amazing man and agitator.

[waynevan]

Who's the author? I'll add it to my Amazon wishlist. FD was an amazing man and agitator.

Self narrative. He wrote it himself about a dozen years after he escaped slavery. I think the title is The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, a self narrative. Something like that anyhow, and will be easy to find.

[original man]

The most moving book I ever read was the self narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass. His first day laboring at work as a free man is described in, well hell I can't even describe it, but if you read it you know exactly what I mean.

i have read some works by frederick douglass and understand your feelings towards the man. if i could make a suggestion to you though, make sure that you get that book into the hands of some of the youngsters you know. that's just about the ony way they'll learn about FD and his life.

[waynevan]

i have read some works by frederick douglass and understand your feelings towards the man. if i could make a suggestion to you though, make sure that you get that book into the hands of some of the youngsters you know. that's just about the ony way they'll learn about FD and his life.

I have three kids who will read it, though I think only the oldest is ready for it. There is some damn heavy stuff in there.

[brownhornett]

Another moronic statement. There is nothing in country music that tells blacks that they are not welcome. If there are not many blacks in country music, it is their choice, most likely because most blacks do not enjoy that genre. It's like the whole deal that happened last year in NASCAR when Bill Lester drove in a race. Since he was black, all of a sudden it's supposed to be OK for black people to watch NASCAR. Well, what on earth stopped them from watching it before? It's a disservice to blacks to think that they are incapable of enjoying something unless there is a black person participating.


Let me ask you this.

In the 20 plus years that BET has be a network, have you even bothered to watch any of the programs, or are you just one of these "everyone would be mad if there was a WET" sheople?

[JimGP20]

Let me ask you this.

In the 20 plus years that BET has be a network, have you even bothered to watch any of the programs, or are you just one of these "everyone would be mad if there was a WET" sheople?

My kids watch it all the time. I have watched it only once or twice.

[brownhornett]

My kids watch it all the time. I have watched it only once or twice.


You probably watch it more than i do.

I know DVR those uncut rump shaker videos. :))

[BarKim]

http://www.emergingminds.org/articles/2004/images/jun04_ben-carson.jpg

As I contemplated my choices of positive, strong Black men who have contributed to our community in a positive way, my mind scanned through history and so many came to mind. Some well known, others not so well known. Some deceased, many still living. When my memory reached current times I thought of Dr. Ben Carson and knew this is the Brother I want to write about. The main reason for my selection of Dr. Carson is, like so many young Black males, Dr. Carson had a very challenging upbringing. He did not have a silver spoon in his mouth but had a childhood filled with poverty, poor grades and a violent temper also. In addition, he was raised by a single parent, his Mother, who only had a third-grade education. Sound familiar? It seems that all odds were against him.

So how and why did this little Black boy from the inner-city of Detroit and Boston overcome all of these obstacles and become a pediatric neurosurgeon of world-renown status? First of all, although Mama only had a third grade education, she challenged her son to strive for excellence. After an incident that led the child Ben Carson, who at that time had a pathological temper, to almost kill his friend over a trivial matter; he stopped and looked at his life and, according to him, with God's help and his Mother's determination, decided to make another choice. He changed from a young Black man who lacked motivation, had terrible grades, and a violent temper to become a Brother who developed self-motivation, patience, understanding, and renewed his faith. This caused him to not only improve his grades but did so to the point that he earned a scholarship to college and medical school.

Today, this Black Man, this Brother, is Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland. A position he has held since 1984, when at the age of 33, he became the youngest physician ever at Johns Hopkins to head a major division. He is known around the world for leading the medical team that separated West German conjoined twins in 1987, as well as leading a team of South African doctors in the first successful separation of vertically conjoined twins in 1997. Dr. Carson's biography reveals that he has refined the techniques for hemispherectomy, a radical brain surgery to stop intractable seizures, and has develop, along with the Hopkins plastic surgery division, a craniofacial program to help children who need combined neurosurgical and plastic surgical reconstruction. Needless to say, Dr. Carson holds numerous honors and awards as well as honorary doctorate degrees.

Dr. Carson is also an author of three books, a businessman, motivational speaker, and co-founder along with his wife Candy, of a non-profit organization (The Carson Scholars Fund, Inc.) to help hard working youth fund their college education. Proceeds from the purchase of his books benefit this non-profit organization. The Carson Scholars, Inc. provides $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-12 who are academic achievers and outstanding role models. This Brother is busy doing positive work!!

In the January, 2003 issue of Ebony Magazine there is an article that gives us another look into this successful Black man's life. One that many Black Men can relate to and all Black men should take note of. The article is titled "Dr. Ben Carson, Top Surgeon's Life and Death Struggle with Prostate Cancer". It reveals that in June, 2002 Dr. Carson was told he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer. With the support and love of is wife, three sons and his Mother, Dr. Carson performed all of his pending surgeries and prepared to have surgery himself. By the mercy and grace of God, his surgery was a success and he did not have to have chemotherapy or radiation.

Dr. Carson has always been concerned about cancer and its' causes. However, this experience, of course, heightened his concern. He states the well known statistics that one in three men will get prostate cancer and one in eight women will get breast cancer. Those statistics are higher among Black Americans. Dr. Carson sites three things that he feels are definite contributors to this and other deadly diseases: diet, environment (pesticides, water contamination, etc.), and stress. He now eats more organic fruits and vegetables and takes the time to plan his days so he accomplishes his daily tasks in a shorter period of time with less stress. This allows him to get home earlier and spend quality time with his family. We can all take a lesson from this page in his life.

As a motivational speaker, Dr. Carson often speaks to groups of all ages encouraging them to do and be their very best. He has many inspirational sayings, I will end this piece by quoting several of my favorite:


"I want to make it clear that having been born on the wrong side of the tracks does not mean that birthplace has to remain a permanent address. It is not where we have come from but where we are going."

"God has given us more than fourteen billion cells and connections in our brain. Why would God give us such a complex organ system unless he expects us to use it?"

"If we recognize our talents and use them appropriately, and choose a field that uses those talents, we will rise to the top of our field."

"An individual must believe in himself and his abilities. To do his best, one needs a confidence that says 'I can do anything and if I can't do it, I know how to get help."


Dr. Benjamin Carson, Just one of many Brothers who deserves our recognition and our respect.

[hmurchison]

Excellent Barkim.

Ben Carson is magnificent History that is still being created. Thank you for bringing light to this man's life.

[Jamal_Gunn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/970000/images/_971788_soldier150ap.jpg

Here's my contribution to this month. If this time was ever held to memorialize anyone in our history, as far as I'm concerned there would be no greater reason.



Seaman Apprentice Cherone Louis Gunn, born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1978, in Portsmouth, Virginia, died unexpectedly on October 12, 2000, along with 17 other sailors, in a terrorist bombing on board the U.S.S. Cole.

Cherone was a 1997 graduate of Kempsville High School where he played junior varsity and varsity football. While he was a student at Kempsville High School he worked as a volunteer in the school's office. He was also in the Hotel-Motel Operations Program which enabled him to work at the Holiday Inn Executive Center for approximately two years.

Cherone enlisted in the United States Navy in January 2000 and was assigned to the USS Cole in May 2000. Following in his father's footsteps, his first goal was to serve his country. He hoped that his experience in the military service would help him achieve the goal of becoming a law enforcement officer.

Cherone's family and friends will miss his wonderful smile and charming ways. They will also rejoice in the Lord with gladness and praise for having known and loved him.

Cherone leaves to cherish his precious memories, his parent Louge and Mona Gunn, three brothers, Anton Gunn and his wife Tiffany of Columbia, South Carolina, Jamal and Jason Gunn of Virginia Beach; paternal grandparents, Louis and Evelyn Gunn of Portsmouth; maternal grandmother Dorothy P. Taylor of Norfolk; Godparents Jacob and Bernice Cheeks of Chesapeake; his fiancee Lora Liddell of Atlanta, GA; a special aunt, uncle and cousin El'Dawn, Stephanie and Christian Taylor of Rex, GA; a host of other aunts and uncles, Clarence & Joan, Elge & Diane, Jerry & Linda, Elvin Jr. & Veronica, Nancy & Carl, Caulbert & Venise, Warren & Jaye, Elvira & Michael, Lewis, Stephen, Elva, Trudy, great-aunt and uncle, Ray and Margie, cousins, other family and friends.

We wil miss him, but we believe that 'to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.' May he rest in God's perfect peace, along with his fellow fallen comrades.

* * *

In the end, there never was any question where Seaman Cherone L. Gunn would be buried.

On a beautiful October afternoon, with a salute of rifle volleys ringing in the warm air, the 22-year-old Virginian killed in last week's attack on the USS Cole was laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery, where so many thousands who died in the service of their country have gone before.

"That's where he deserves to be," his brother, Anton Gunn, 27, said after the service. "It's where all national heroes should be."

Cherone Gunn, a sweet-natured young man who had dreams of being a police officer, was carried in a flag-draped coffin to his grave site by a casket team of six sailors. He was followed by dozens of members of his extended family and by friends, many of whom traveled from Virginia Beach, where the sailor was born and raised.

His father, Louge Gunn, a retired chief petty officer who served 20 years in the Navy, knelt and pressed his forehead against the casket. Then he rose to his feet and, struggling with his emotions, proudly saluted his son.

His mother, Mona Gunn, the principal of Fairlawn Elementary School in Norfolk, wiped away tears.

"I'm very proud," Anton Gunn said, speaking on behalf of the family. "He made his family proud. He made his country proud."

At the family's request, Gunn was placed in the cemetery next to a shipmate who was also killed in the apparent terrorist attack on the Cole on October 12, 2000 at a port in Yemen. Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35, who lived at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary's County with his wife and three children, was buried at Arlington earlier in the day at a private service for family and close friends.

Cherone Gunn was born on Valentine's Day 1978, a birthday that his brother said seemed to color his personality. "He was one of the most lovable guys anyone could ever hope to meet," said Anton Gunn, a graduate student studying in South
Carolina.

Gunn had joined the Navy because he wanted to serve his country and was looking for experience that would help him become a state trooper, according to his brother.

Costelow was sent to serve on the Cole in August. During Wednesday's national memorial service in Norfolk, President Clinton singled out Costelow's earlier service at the White House.

"Richard Costelow was a technology wizard who helped to update the White House communications system for this new century," Clinton said.

Another victim from Maryland, 19-year-old Seaman Craig Wibberley of Williamsport, will be remembered at a funeral today in Hagerstown. His family held a visitation yesterday evening at St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown.

The Navy announced yesterday that Gunn and Wibberley have been given posthumous promotions from seaman apprentice to seaman. Costelow was promoted from petty officer first class this week.

During yesterday's service for Cherone Gunn, a Navy officer presented Louge and Mona Gunn with the American flag that draped their son's casket when his body was brought to Dover Air Force Base last weekend aboard an Air Force jet.

Flags were also presented to Cherone Gunn's twin brothers, Jamal and Jason, and to Anton.

Kneeling over the casket, Anton Gunn spoke to his brother. "I told him that I loved him, and that I was going to miss him," he said.

After a Navy bugler played taps and the ceremonial team quietly filed away from the graveside, Louge Gunn was reluctant to leave his son. He kept placing his hand on the casket, and after he finally walked away, he looked back.

Anton Gunn, speaking after the ceremony, said there was a message in the death of his brother and the 16 other sailors aboard the Cole. "Remember, they died for the country," he said. "They died defending a country we love. They died for us. That's
what's important."

As he spoke, he clutched the flag tightly to his chest. "This is the last physical piece I have of him," he said. "It'll never leave me."

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Dr. Sarah Garland Boyd Jones. In 1893, she became the first Black to pass the Virginia Board of Medicine exam. She and her husband established Richmond Hospital, adding a nursing school to the facility which graduated its first class in 1901. The hospital is still in operation as Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital.

[madasheck]

On Feb. 3 in African-American history:

1870: The 15th Amendment (right to vote) was ratified.

http://afroamhistory.about.com/library/calendar/bl0203.htm

[madasheck]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/970000/images/_971788_soldier150ap.jpg

Here's my contribution to this month. If this time was ever held to memorialize anyone in our history, as far as I'm concerned there would be no greater reason.



Seaman Apprentice Cherone Louis Gunn, born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1978, in Portsmouth, Virginia, died unexpectedly on October 12, 2000, along with 17 other sailors, in a terrorist bombing on board the U.S.S. Cole.

Cherone was a 1997 graduate of Kempsville High School where he played junior varsity and varsity football. While he was a student at Kempsville High School he worked as a volunteer in the school's office. He was also in the Hotel-Motel Operations Program which enabled him to work at the Holiday Inn Executive Center for approximately two years.

Cherone enlisted in the United States Navy in January 2000 and was assigned to the USS Cole in May 2000. Following in his father's footsteps, his first goal was to serve his country. He hoped that his experience in the military service would help him achieve the goal of becoming a law enforcement officer.

Cherone's family and friends will miss his wonderful smile and charming ways. They will also rejoice in the Lord with gladness and praise for having known and loved him.

Cherone leaves to cherish his precious memories, his parent Louge and Mona Gunn, three brothers, Anton Gunn and his wife Tiffany of Columbia, South Carolina, Jamal and Jason Gunn of Virginia Beach; paternal grandparents, Louis and Evelyn Gunn of Portsmouth; maternal grandmother Dorothy P. Taylor of Norfolk; Godparents Jacob and Bernice Cheeks of Chesapeake; his fiancee Lora Liddell of Atlanta, GA; a special aunt, uncle and cousin El'Dawn, Stephanie and Christian Taylor of Rex, GA; a host of other aunts and uncles, Clarence & Joan, Elge & Diane, Jerry & Linda, Elvin Jr. & Veronica, Nancy & Carl, Caulbert & Venise, Warren & Jaye, Elvira & Michael, Lewis, Stephen, Elva, Trudy, great-aunt and uncle, Ray and Margie, cousins, other family and friends.

We wil miss him, but we believe that 'to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.' May he rest in God's perfect peace, along with his fellow fallen comrades.

* * *

In the end, there never was any question where Seaman Cherone L. Gunn would be buried.

On a beautiful October afternoon, with a salute of rifle volleys ringing in the warm air, the 22-year-old Virginian killed in last week's attack on the USS Cole was laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery, where so many thousands who died in the service of their country have gone before.

"That's where he deserves to be," his brother, Anton Gunn, 27, said after the service. "It's where all national heroes should be."

Cherone Gunn, a sweet-natured young man who had dreams of being a police officer, was carried in a flag-draped coffin to his grave site by a casket team of six sailors. He was followed by dozens of members of his extended family and by friends, many of whom traveled from Virginia Beach, where the sailor was born and raised.

His father, Louge Gunn, a retired chief petty officer who served 20 years in the Navy, knelt and pressed his forehead against the casket. Then he rose to his feet and, struggling with his emotions, proudly saluted his son.

His mother, Mona Gunn, the principal of Fairlawn Elementary School in Norfolk, wiped away tears.

"I'm very proud," Anton Gunn said, speaking on behalf of the family. "He made his family proud. He made his country proud."

At the family's request, Gunn was placed in the cemetery next to a shipmate who was also killed in the apparent terrorist attack on the Cole on October 12, 2000 at a port in Yemen. Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35, who lived at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary's County with his wife and three children, was buried at Arlington earlier in the day at a private service for family and close friends.

Cherone Gunn was born on Valentine's Day 1978, a birthday that his brother said seemed to color his personality. "He was one of the most lovable guys anyone could ever hope to meet," said Anton Gunn, a graduate student studying in South
Carolina.

Gunn had joined the Navy because he wanted to serve his country and was looking for experience that would help him become a state trooper, according to his brother.

Costelow was sent to serve on the Cole in August. During Wednesday's national memorial service in Norfolk, President Clinton singled out Costelow's earlier service at the White House.

"Richard Costelow was a technology wizard who helped to update the White House communications system for this new century," Clinton said.

Another victim from Maryland, 19-year-old Seaman Craig Wibberley of Williamsport, will be remembered at a funeral today in Hagerstown. His family held a visitation yesterday evening at St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown.

The Navy announced yesterday that Gunn and Wibberley have been given posthumous promotions from seaman apprentice to seaman. Costelow was promoted from petty officer first class this week.

During yesterday's service for Cherone Gunn, a Navy officer presented Louge and Mona Gunn with the American flag that draped their son's casket when his body was brought to Dover Air Force Base last weekend aboard an Air Force jet.

Flags were also presented to Cherone Gunn's twin brothers, Jamal and Jason, and to Anton.

Kneeling over the casket, Anton Gunn spoke to his brother. "I told him that I loved him, and that I was going to miss him," he said.

After a Navy bugler played taps and the ceremonial team quietly filed away from the graveside, Louge Gunn was reluctant to leave his son. He kept placing his hand on the casket, and after he finally walked away, he looked back.

Anton Gunn, speaking after the ceremony, said there was a message in the death of his brother and the 16 other sailors aboard the Cole. "Remember, they died for the country," he said. "They died defending a country we love. They died for us. That's
what's important."

As he spoke, he clutched the flag tightly to his chest. "This is the last physical piece I have of him," he said. "It'll never leave me."

Jamal: That was very touching. Thank you for posting it. God bless your brother.

[Bolshevik Hunter]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/970000/images/_971788_soldier150ap.jpg

Here's my contribution to this month. If this time was ever held to memorialize anyone in our history, as far as I'm concerned there would be no greater reason.



Seaman Apprentice Cherone Louis Gunn, born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1978, in Portsmouth, Virginia, died unexpectedly on October 12, 2000, along with 17 other sailors, in a terrorist bombing on board the U.S.S. Cole.

Cherone was a 1997 graduate of Kempsville High School where he played junior varsity and varsity football. While he was a student at Kempsville High School he worked as a volunteer in the school's office. He was also in the Hotel-Motel Operations Program which enabled him to work at the Holiday Inn Executive Center for approximately two years.

Cherone enlisted in the United States Navy in January 2000 and was assigned to the USS Cole in May 2000. Following in his father's footsteps, his first goal was to serve his country. He hoped that his experience in the military service would help him achieve the goal of becoming a law enforcement officer.

Cherone's family and friends will miss his wonderful smile and charming ways. They will also rejoice in the Lord with gladness and praise for having known and loved him.

Cherone leaves to cherish his precious memories, his parent Louge and Mona Gunn, three brothers, Anton Gunn and his wife Tiffany of Columbia, South Carolina, Jamal and Jason Gunn of Virginia Beach; paternal grandparents, Louis and Evelyn Gunn of Portsmouth; maternal grandmother Dorothy P. Taylor of Norfolk; Godparents Jacob and Bernice Cheeks of Chesapeake; his fiancee Lora Liddell of Atlanta, GA; a special aunt, uncle and cousin El'Dawn, Stephanie and Christian Taylor of Rex, GA; a host of other aunts and uncles, Clarence & Joan, Elge & Diane, Jerry & Linda, Elvin Jr. & Veronica, Nancy & Carl, Caulbert & Venise, Warren & Jaye, Elvira & Michael, Lewis, Stephen, Elva, Trudy, great-aunt and uncle, Ray and Margie, cousins, other family and friends.

We wil miss him, but we believe that 'to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.' May he rest in God's perfect peace, along with his fellow fallen comrades.

* * *

In the end, there never was any question where Seaman Cherone L. Gunn would be buried.

On a beautiful October afternoon, with a salute of rifle volleys ringing in the warm air, the 22-year-old Virginian killed in last week's attack on the USS Cole was laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery, where so many thousands who died in the service of their country have gone before.

"That's where he deserves to be," his brother, Anton Gunn, 27, said after the service. "It's where all national heroes should be."

Cherone Gunn, a sweet-natured young man who had dreams of being a police officer, was carried in a flag-draped coffin to his grave site by a casket team of six sailors. He was followed by dozens of members of his extended family and by friends, many of whom traveled from Virginia Beach, where the sailor was born and raised.

His father, Louge Gunn, a retired chief petty officer who served 20 years in the Navy, knelt and pressed his forehead against the casket. Then he rose to his feet and, struggling with his emotions, proudly saluted his son.

His mother, Mona Gunn, the principal of Fairlawn Elementary School in Norfolk, wiped away tears.

"I'm very proud," Anton Gunn said, speaking on behalf of the family. "He made his family proud. He made his country proud."

At the family's request, Gunn was placed in the cemetery next to a shipmate who was also killed in the apparent terrorist attack on the Cole on October 12, 2000 at a port in Yemen. Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35, who lived at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary's County with his wife and three children, was buried at Arlington earlier in the day at a private service for family and close friends.

Cherone Gunn was born on Valentine's Day 1978, a birthday that his brother said seemed to color his personality. "He was one of the most lovable guys anyone could ever hope to meet," said Anton Gunn, a graduate student studying in South
Carolina.

Gunn had joined the Navy because he wanted to serve his country and was looking for experience that would help him become a state trooper, according to his brother.

Costelow was sent to serve on the Cole in August. During Wednesday's national memorial service in Norfolk, President Clinton singled out Costelow's earlier service at the White House.

"Richard Costelow was a technology wizard who helped to update the White House communications system for this new century," Clinton said.

Another victim from Maryland, 19-year-old Seaman Craig Wibberley of Williamsport, will be remembered at a funeral today in Hagerstown. His family held a visitation yesterday evening at St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown.

The Navy announced yesterday that Gunn and Wibberley have been given posthumous promotions from seaman apprentice to seaman. Costelow was promoted from petty officer first class this week.

During yesterday's service for Cherone Gunn, a Navy officer presented Louge and Mona Gunn with the American flag that draped their son's casket when his body was brought to Dover Air Force Base last weekend aboard an Air Force jet.

Flags were also presented to Cherone Gunn's twin brothers, Jamal and Jason, and to Anton.

Kneeling over the casket, Anton Gunn spoke to his brother. "I told him that I loved him, and that I was going to miss him," he said.

After a Navy bugler played taps and the ceremonial team quietly filed away from the graveside, Louge Gunn was reluctant to leave his son. He kept placing his hand on the casket, and after he finally walked away, he looked back.

Anton Gunn, speaking after the ceremony, said there was a message in the death of his brother and the 16 other sailors aboard the Cole. "Remember, they died for the country," he said. "They died defending a country we love. They died for us. That's
what's important."

As he spoke, he clutched the flag tightly to his chest. "This is the last physical piece I have of him," he said. "It'll never leave me."

Jamal, I am sorry about you and your families loss bro. I am sure he was a good man. Man, that brought tears to my eyes. Best wishes. ~BH

http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/kampkirk88/th_39056133151.jpg

[Jesso]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/970000/images/_971788_soldier150ap.jpg

Here's my contribution to this month. If this time was ever held to memorialize anyone in our history, as far as I'm concerned there would be no greater reason.



Seaman Apprentice Cherone Louis Gunn, born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1978, in Portsmouth, Virginia, died unexpectedly on October 12, 2000, along with 17 other sailors, in a terrorist bombing on board the U.S.S. Cole.

Cherone was a 1997 graduate of Kempsville High School where he played junior varsity and varsity football. While he was a student at Kempsville High School he worked as a volunteer in the school's office. He was also in the Hotel-Motel Operations Program which enabled him to work at the Holiday Inn Executive Center for approximately two years.

Cherone enlisted in the United States Navy in January 2000 and was assigned to the USS Cole in May 2000. Following in his father's footsteps, his first goal was to serve his country. He hoped that his experience in the military service would help him achieve the goal of becoming a law enforcement officer.

Cherone's family and friends will miss his wonderful smile and charming ways. They will also rejoice in the Lord with gladness and praise for having known and loved him.

Cherone leaves to cherish his precious memories, his parent Louge and Mona Gunn, three brothers, Anton Gunn and his wife Tiffany of Columbia, South Carolina, Jamal and Jason Gunn of Virginia Beach; paternal grandparents, Louis and Evelyn Gunn of Portsmouth; maternal grandmother Dorothy P. Taylor of Norfolk; Godparents Jacob and Bernice Cheeks of Chesapeake; his fiancee Lora Liddell of Atlanta, GA; a special aunt, uncle and cousin El'Dawn, Stephanie and Christian Taylor of Rex, GA; a host of other aunts and uncles, Clarence & Joan, Elge & Diane, Jerry & Linda, Elvin Jr. & Veronica, Nancy & Carl, Caulbert & Venise, Warren & Jaye, Elvira & Michael, Lewis, Stephen, Elva, Trudy, great-aunt and uncle, Ray and Margie, cousins, other family and friends.

We wil miss him, but we believe that 'to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.' May he rest in God's perfect peace, along with his fellow fallen comrades.

* * *

In the end, there never was any question where Seaman Cherone L. Gunn would be buried.

On a beautiful October afternoon, with a salute of rifle volleys ringing in the warm air, the 22-year-old Virginian killed in last week's attack on the USS Cole was laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery, where so many thousands who died in the service of their country have gone before.

"That's where he deserves to be," his brother, Anton Gunn, 27, said after the service. "It's where all national heroes should be."

Cherone Gunn, a sweet-natured young man who had dreams of being a police officer, was carried in a flag-draped coffin to his grave site by a casket team of six sailors. He was followed by dozens of members of his extended family and by friends, many of whom traveled from Virginia Beach, where the sailor was born and raised.

His father, Louge Gunn, a retired chief petty officer who served 20 years in the Navy, knelt and pressed his forehead against the casket. Then he rose to his feet and, struggling with his emotions, proudly saluted his son.

His mother, Mona Gunn, the principal of Fairlawn Elementary School in Norfolk, wiped away tears.

"I'm very proud," Anton Gunn said, speaking on behalf of the family. "He made his family proud. He made his country proud."

At the family's request, Gunn was placed in the cemetery next to a shipmate who was also killed in the apparent terrorist attack on the Cole on October 12, 2000 at a port in Yemen. Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35, who lived at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary's County with his wife and three children, was buried at Arlington earlier in the day at a private service for family and close friends.

Cherone Gunn was born on Valentine's Day 1978, a birthday that his brother said seemed to color his personality. "He was one of the most lovable guys anyone could ever hope to meet," said Anton Gunn, a graduate student studying in South
Carolina.

Gunn had joined the Navy because he wanted to serve his country and was looking for experience that would help him become a state trooper, according to his brother.

Costelow was sent to serve on the Cole in August. During Wednesday's national memorial service in Norfolk, President Clinton singled out Costelow's earlier service at the White House.

"Richard Costelow was a technology wizard who helped to update the White House communications system for this new century," Clinton said.

Another victim from Maryland, 19-year-old Seaman Craig Wibberley of Williamsport, will be remembered at a funeral today in Hagerstown. His family held a visitation yesterday evening at St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown.

The Navy announced yesterday that Gunn and Wibberley have been given posthumous promotions from seaman apprentice to seaman. Costelow was promoted from petty officer first class this week.

During yesterday's service for Cherone Gunn, a Navy officer presented Louge and Mona Gunn with the American flag that draped their son's casket when his body was brought to Dover Air Force Base last weekend aboard an Air Force jet.

Flags were also presented to Cherone Gunn's twin brothers, Jamal and Jason, and to Anton.

Kneeling over the casket, Anton Gunn spoke to his brother. "I told him that I loved him, and that I was going to miss him," he said.

After a Navy bugler played taps and the ceremonial team quietly filed away from the graveside, Louge Gunn was reluctant to leave his son. He kept placing his hand on the casket, and after he finally walked away, he looked back.

Anton Gunn, speaking after the ceremony, said there was a message in the dea