dope song:
Black History Appreciation!!!
- Thread starter Deadpool1986
- Start date
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
February 7 - Negro History week originated by Carter G.Woodson is observed for the first time in 1926.
February 8 - Figure skater Debi Thomas became the first African American to win the Women's Singles of the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship competition, was a pre-med student at Stanford University in 1986.
February 8 - Figure skater Debi Thomas became the first African American to win the Women's Singles of the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship competition, was a pre-med student at Stanford University in 1986.
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Alice Coachman
The first female African American selected for the U.S. Olympic team, Alice Coachman became the first black woman of any nationality to win a gold medal at the Olympics with her victory was in the high jump at the 1948 Summer Games in London. Alice Coachman paved the way for hundreds of black female Olympic champions.
Alice Coachman was born in rural Georgia on November 9,1923, near the town of Albany. Born in the fifth of ten children, Alice's family was poor, and even as a youngster, Coachman had to work at picking cotton and other crops to help her family meet financially. Running and jumping was deemed unladylike and to avoid a whipping, Alice tried to make sure her father didn't see her doing either. Not having shoes, Alice Coachman ran barefoot on the dirt roads near her house, practicing jumps over a crossbar made of rags tied together. Coachman received encouragement from her fifth-grade teacher, Cora Bailey, at Monroe Street Elementary School and from her aunt, Carrie Spry, who defended her niece's interest in sports in the face of parental reservations. In 1938, when Coachman enrolled in Madison High School, she immediately joined the track team. The Madison boys' track coach, Harry E. Lash, recognized and nurtured her talent.
Reluctantly at first, her parents relented and allowed her to compete in the Tuskegee Institute relay in the 1930s, where she broke first high school, and then collegiate records by the time she was 16 years old. In the rural south during the time when Jim Crow laws still reigned, Alice Coachman was not guaranteed an opportunity for an education, but fortunately she received a scholarship to the prestigious Tuskegee Preparatory School. During her college career at Tuskegee, she won national championships in the 50-meter dash, the 100-meter dash, the 400-meter relay, and the high jump. She also played on the Tuskegee women's basketball team, which won three championships. She was the only African American on each of the five All-American teams to which she was named.
In 1943, Coachman won the AAU nationals in the running high jump and the 50-yard dash. Sadly both the 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were cancelled due to World War II, denying Alice Coachman a chance to attain her biggest dream.
Alice Coachman received a trade degree in dressmaking in 1946 from the Tuskegee Preparatory School and went on to enroll at Albany State University. Still wanting to go to the Olympics, Alice worked tirelessly and finally qualified for the 1948 Olympics at the age of twenty-four, with a 5 feet 4 inch jump, breaking the previous record of 5 feet 3-1/4 inches set in 1932.
During the 1948 Olympics in London Alice Coachman broke the record and jumped 5 feet, 6-1/4 inches on her first try, earning the gold medal for the United States. Alice Coachman became the first woman of color in the world, and the first African-American woman to win a gold medal in track and field in the history of the modern Olympics. In addition, she was the only American woman to win a gold medal at the 1948 games. Her combination Olympic gold medal and 10 consecutive US championships have never been duplicated.
After her historic win, Alice Coachman retired from competition. She became the first African American woman to benefit from endorsements. When Coachman returned to the U.S., she was treated like royalty. In addition to meeting many famous people who also gave parties for her, she was given a parade in her honor, given a victory ride from Atlanta to Macon, and given a banquet by her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. After her retirement, Alice Coachman taught physical education, coached, and became involved in the Job Corps in Albany Georgia. She also taught at South Carolina State College, Albany State College, and Tuskegee High School.
Alice Coachman married N. F. Davis, whom she later divorced. Later Coachman married Frank Davis. They had two children, Richmond and Evelyn, who both followed their mother's footsteps into athletics.
Alice Coachman has been honored with prestigious memberships in eight halls of fame, including the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Albany Sports Hall of Fame.
In 1994, she founded the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation, and organization supported by Olympic athletes, both aspiring and retired. The Alice Coachman Track & Field Foundation ( ACTFF ), a tax deductible, non-profit organization, was established in honor of America’s history-making world class athlete, Alice Coachman , who rose from obscurity to become an Olympic champion. The ACTFF wants to continue to help athletes become winners. In light of recent reductions in government resources, educational cutbacks and limited sports scholarship opportunities, this assistance may be crucial to aspiring amateur athletes.
Alice Coachman was born in rural Georgia on November 9,1923, near the town of Albany. Born in the fifth of ten children, Alice's family was poor, and even as a youngster, Coachman had to work at picking cotton and other crops to help her family meet financially. Running and jumping was deemed unladylike and to avoid a whipping, Alice tried to make sure her father didn't see her doing either. Not having shoes, Alice Coachman ran barefoot on the dirt roads near her house, practicing jumps over a crossbar made of rags tied together. Coachman received encouragement from her fifth-grade teacher, Cora Bailey, at Monroe Street Elementary School and from her aunt, Carrie Spry, who defended her niece's interest in sports in the face of parental reservations. In 1938, when Coachman enrolled in Madison High School, she immediately joined the track team. The Madison boys' track coach, Harry E. Lash, recognized and nurtured her talent.
Reluctantly at first, her parents relented and allowed her to compete in the Tuskegee Institute relay in the 1930s, where she broke first high school, and then collegiate records by the time she was 16 years old. In the rural south during the time when Jim Crow laws still reigned, Alice Coachman was not guaranteed an opportunity for an education, but fortunately she received a scholarship to the prestigious Tuskegee Preparatory School. During her college career at Tuskegee, she won national championships in the 50-meter dash, the 100-meter dash, the 400-meter relay, and the high jump. She also played on the Tuskegee women's basketball team, which won three championships. She was the only African American on each of the five All-American teams to which she was named.
Alice Coachman received a trade degree in dressmaking in 1946 from the Tuskegee Preparatory School and went on to enroll at Albany State University. Still wanting to go to the Olympics, Alice worked tirelessly and finally qualified for the 1948 Olympics at the age of twenty-four, with a 5 feet 4 inch jump, breaking the previous record of 5 feet 3-1/4 inches set in 1932.
During the 1948 Olympics in London Alice Coachman broke the record and jumped 5 feet, 6-1/4 inches on her first try, earning the gold medal for the United States. Alice Coachman became the first woman of color in the world, and the first African-American woman to win a gold medal in track and field in the history of the modern Olympics. In addition, she was the only American woman to win a gold medal at the 1948 games. Her combination Olympic gold medal and 10 consecutive US championships have never been duplicated.
After her historic win, Alice Coachman retired from competition. She became the first African American woman to benefit from endorsements. When Coachman returned to the U.S., she was treated like royalty. In addition to meeting many famous people who also gave parties for her, she was given a parade in her honor, given a victory ride from Atlanta to Macon, and given a banquet by her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. After her retirement, Alice Coachman taught physical education, coached, and became involved in the Job Corps in Albany Georgia. She also taught at South Carolina State College, Albany State College, and Tuskegee High School.
Alice Coachman married N. F. Davis, whom she later divorced. Later Coachman married Frank Davis. They had two children, Richmond and Evelyn, who both followed their mother's footsteps into athletics.
Alice Coachman has been honored with prestigious memberships in eight halls of fame, including the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Albany Sports Hall of Fame.
In 1994, she founded the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation, and organization supported by Olympic athletes, both aspiring and retired. The Alice Coachman Track & Field Foundation ( ACTFF ), a tax deductible, non-profit organization, was established in honor of America’s history-making world class athlete, Alice Coachman , who rose from obscurity to become an Olympic champion. The ACTFF wants to continue to help athletes become winners. In light of recent reductions in government resources, educational cutbacks and limited sports scholarship opportunities, this assistance may be crucial to aspiring amateur athletes.
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Fact #26
Dr. Mayme A. Clayton, a Los Angeles librarian and historian, amassed an extensive and valuable collection of black Americana now found in a museum that houses an estimated 3.5 million items. The collection includes works from a wide range of luminaries, including Countee Cullen, Marcus Garvey, Zora Neale Hurston and Lena Horne.
Fact #27
Fact #28
Record sales from musician and singer Nat King Cole contributed so greatly to Capitol Records' success during the 1950s that its headquarters became known as "the house that Nat built."
Fact #29
The Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church in San Francisco, California, uses jazz musician John Coltrane's music and philosophy as sources for religious discovery.
Fact #30
Dr. Mayme A. Clayton, a Los Angeles librarian and historian, amassed an extensive and valuable collection of black Americana now found in a museum that houses an estimated 3.5 million items. The collection includes works from a wide range of luminaries, including Countee Cullen, Marcus Garvey, Zora Neale Hurston and Lena Horne.
Fact #27
Fact #28
Record sales from musician and singer Nat King Cole contributed so greatly to Capitol Records' success during the 1950s that its headquarters became known as "the house that Nat built."
Fact #29
The Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church in San Francisco, California, uses jazz musician John Coltrane's music and philosophy as sources for religious discovery.
Fact #30
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Black History:John Horse And The Black Seminoles
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Black History:The First Americans Were Africans
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
February 9 - In 1979, Baseball Hall of Fame announced that Leroy "Satchel" Paige would be inducted.
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Black History Little Known Facts
Fact #31
Paul Cuffee, a philanthropist, ship captain and devout Quaker who supported a return to Africa for black citizens, transported 38 free African Americans to Sierra Leone in 1815. He also founded one of the first American integrated schools in 1797.
Fact #32
Tice Davids, a runaway slave from Kentucky, may have been the inspiration for the first usage of the term "Underground Railroad," though the origins of the term are shrouded in mystery. According to reports, after Davids swam across the Ohio River, his "owner" was unable to find him. He allegedly told the local paper that if Davids had escaped, he must have traveled on "an underground railroad." Davids is thought to have made his way to Ripley, Ohio.
Fact #33
At a time when universities did not typically offer financial assistance to black athletes, African-American football star Ernie Davis was offered more than 50 scholarships.
Fact #34
Thomas Andrew Dorsey, considered the "Father of Gospel Music," was known for his fusion of sacred words and secular rhythms. His most famous composition, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," was recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley and Mahalia Jackson.
Fact #35
Fact #31
Paul Cuffee, a philanthropist, ship captain and devout Quaker who supported a return to Africa for black citizens, transported 38 free African Americans to Sierra Leone in 1815. He also founded one of the first American integrated schools in 1797.
Fact #32
Tice Davids, a runaway slave from Kentucky, may have been the inspiration for the first usage of the term "Underground Railroad," though the origins of the term are shrouded in mystery. According to reports, after Davids swam across the Ohio River, his "owner" was unable to find him. He allegedly told the local paper that if Davids had escaped, he must have traveled on "an underground railroad." Davids is thought to have made his way to Ripley, Ohio.
Fact #33
At a time when universities did not typically offer financial assistance to black athletes, African-American football star Ernie Davis was offered more than 50 scholarships.
Fact #34
Thomas Andrew Dorsey, considered the "Father of Gospel Music," was known for his fusion of sacred words and secular rhythms. His most famous composition, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," was recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley and Mahalia Jackson.
Fact #35
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Little Known Black History Fact: John Thompson and Microsoft
African American tech executive John Thompson has been appointed the new chairman of Microsoft Corporation, replacing chairman and co-founder Bill Gates. Thompson is the former CEO of Symantec Corporation and hopes to bring Microsoft into better competition with Apple and Google. He was the first and only African American leader of a major technology company and will continue the legacy with Microsoft. Thompson will work with the a new CEO, Satya Nadella. Thompson initially joined Microsoft in 2013 as director of the board.
64-year-old Thompson is a native of Fort Dix, New Jersey and was raised in Riviera Beach, Florida. His parents worked as a postal worker and a teacher.
Thompson is a graduate of Florida A&M University,who started his career in technology with IBM as a sales rep. He attended graduate school under the Sloan Fellows program at MIT. After 27 years with IBM and one vice presidency later, Thompson left to lead Symantec as CEO. He brought the company from $600 million in sales to $6 billion in ten years.
Thompson also runs Virtual Instruments Inc. based in San Jose, California. As part of his responsibilities, Thompson will implement a new organizational structure. He also owns a percentage of the Golden State Warriors. He is estimated to be worth over $72 million as of 2006.
African American tech executive John Thompson has been appointed the new chairman of Microsoft Corporation, replacing chairman and co-founder Bill Gates. Thompson is the former CEO of Symantec Corporation and hopes to bring Microsoft into better competition with Apple and Google. He was the first and only African American leader of a major technology company and will continue the legacy with Microsoft. Thompson will work with the a new CEO, Satya Nadella. Thompson initially joined Microsoft in 2013 as director of the board.
64-year-old Thompson is a native of Fort Dix, New Jersey and was raised in Riviera Beach, Florida. His parents worked as a postal worker and a teacher.
Thompson is a graduate of Florida A&M University,who started his career in technology with IBM as a sales rep. He attended graduate school under the Sloan Fellows program at MIT. After 27 years with IBM and one vice presidency later, Thompson left to lead Symantec as CEO. He brought the company from $600 million in sales to $6 billion in ten years.
Thompson also runs Virtual Instruments Inc. based in San Jose, California. As part of his responsibilities, Thompson will implement a new organizational structure. He also owns a percentage of the Golden State Warriors. He is estimated to be worth over $72 million as of 2006.
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Little Known Black History Fact: History of the Black Barbershop
During the 19th century, black-owned barbershops had mostly prominent, white clientele. It was difficult for a black man to approach a black barber for a shave or haircut using the same instruments he used on the white customers, even in the north. The shops were run by either slaves or “waiting men” or by freedmen and were competition for the white barbers.
The rationale used by the black barbers was considered economic necessity. As long as the white men continued to patron the black barbershops, the barber’s family had stability and the ability to provide for his family in a middle-class household. The profession was also attractive to the black barber because the conditions of working inside were much better than the fields or back-breaking labor.
After Emancipation, the black-owned barbershops were opened to serve black clientele. That was the beginning of the barbershop as a sanctuary for black men. Unfortunately, the number of black barbershops began to decline with the demand for formerly trained barbers and changes in state laws and cosmetology.
In 1934, Henry M. Morgan established Tyler Barber College, the first national chain of barber colleges for African Americans, in Tyler Texas. The colleges spread until nearly 80 percent of all black barbers in America were trained at Morgan’s schools.
The placement of black barbershops has been so significant in black history that legendary authors Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, Amiri Bakara and Richard Wright all made reference to the ‘black man’s sanctuary’ in their works.
Vassar College history Professor Quincy Mills has written “Cutting Along the Color Line”, which takes a deep look at the history of black barbershops.
During the 19th century, black-owned barbershops had mostly prominent, white clientele. It was difficult for a black man to approach a black barber for a shave or haircut using the same instruments he used on the white customers, even in the north. The shops were run by either slaves or “waiting men” or by freedmen and were competition for the white barbers.
The rationale used by the black barbers was considered economic necessity. As long as the white men continued to patron the black barbershops, the barber’s family had stability and the ability to provide for his family in a middle-class household. The profession was also attractive to the black barber because the conditions of working inside were much better than the fields or back-breaking labor.
After Emancipation, the black-owned barbershops were opened to serve black clientele. That was the beginning of the barbershop as a sanctuary for black men. Unfortunately, the number of black barbershops began to decline with the demand for formerly trained barbers and changes in state laws and cosmetology.
In 1934, Henry M. Morgan established Tyler Barber College, the first national chain of barber colleges for African Americans, in Tyler Texas. The colleges spread until nearly 80 percent of all black barbers in America were trained at Morgan’s schools.
The placement of black barbershops has been so significant in black history that legendary authors Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, Amiri Bakara and Richard Wright all made reference to the ‘black man’s sanctuary’ in their works.
Vassar College history Professor Quincy Mills has written “Cutting Along the Color Line”, which takes a deep look at the history of black barbershops.
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Charles Young (United States Army)
Charles Young (March 12, 1864 - January 8, 1922) was the third African-American graduate of West Point, the first black U.S. national park superintendent, first black military attaché, first black to achieve the rank of colonel, and highest-ranking black officer in the United States Army until his death in 1922.
Military service
Young began his service with the Ninth Cavalry in the American West: from 1889-1890 he served at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, and from 1890-1894 at Fort Duchesne, Utah.
Beginning in 1894 as a lieutenant, Young was assigned to Wilberforce College in Ohio, a historically black college (HBCU), to lead the new military sciences department, which was established under a special federal grant.[4] As a professor for four years, he was one of a number of outstanding men on the staff, including W.E.B. Du Bois, with whom he became friends.[1]
When the Spanish-American War broke out, Young was promoted temporarily to the rank of major of Volunteers on May 14, 1898 and commanded a battalion in the 9th Ohio Infantry Regiment. Young and the regiment served in the United States throughout the war and did not see combat. Young was mustered out of the volunteers on January 28, 1899 and reverted to his Regular Army rank of first lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in the 9th Cavalry Regiment on February 2, 1901.
National Park assignments
In 1903, Young served as captain of a black company at the Presidio of San Francisco. When appointed acting superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks, he he was the first black superintendent of a national park. At the time the military supervised the parks. Because of limited funding, the Army assigned personnel for short-term assignments during the summers, making it difficult for the officers to accomplish longer term goals, such as construction of infrastructure. Young supervised payroll accounts and directed the activities of rangers.
Young's greatest impact on the park was managing road construction, which helped to improve the underdeveloped park and enable more visitors to travel within it. Young and his troops accomplished more that summer than had teams under the three military officers who had been assigned the previous three summers. Captain Young and his troops completed a wagon road to the Giant Forest, home of the world's largest trees, and a road to the base of the famous Moro Rock. By mid-August, wagons of visitors were able to enter the mountaintop forest for the first time.[5]
With the end of the brief summer construction season, Young was transferred on November 2, 1903, and reassigned as the troop commander of the Tenth Cavalry at the Presidio. In his final report on Sequoia Park to the Secretary of the Interior, he recommended the government acquire privately held lands there, to secure more park area for future generations. This recommendation was noted in legislation to that purpose introduced in the United States House of Representatives.
Charles Young (March 12, 1864 - January 8, 1922) was the third African-American graduate of West Point, the first black U.S. national park superintendent, first black military attaché, first black to achieve the rank of colonel, and highest-ranking black officer in the United States Army until his death in 1922.
Military service
Young began his service with the Ninth Cavalry in the American West: from 1889-1890 he served at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, and from 1890-1894 at Fort Duchesne, Utah.
Beginning in 1894 as a lieutenant, Young was assigned to Wilberforce College in Ohio, a historically black college (HBCU), to lead the new military sciences department, which was established under a special federal grant.[4] As a professor for four years, he was one of a number of outstanding men on the staff, including W.E.B. Du Bois, with whom he became friends.[1]
When the Spanish-American War broke out, Young was promoted temporarily to the rank of major of Volunteers on May 14, 1898 and commanded a battalion in the 9th Ohio Infantry Regiment. Young and the regiment served in the United States throughout the war and did not see combat. Young was mustered out of the volunteers on January 28, 1899 and reverted to his Regular Army rank of first lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in the 9th Cavalry Regiment on February 2, 1901.
National Park assignments
In 1903, Young served as captain of a black company at the Presidio of San Francisco. When appointed acting superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks, he he was the first black superintendent of a national park. At the time the military supervised the parks. Because of limited funding, the Army assigned personnel for short-term assignments during the summers, making it difficult for the officers to accomplish longer term goals, such as construction of infrastructure. Young supervised payroll accounts and directed the activities of rangers.
Young's greatest impact on the park was managing road construction, which helped to improve the underdeveloped park and enable more visitors to travel within it. Young and his troops accomplished more that summer than had teams under the three military officers who had been assigned the previous three summers. Captain Young and his troops completed a wagon road to the Giant Forest, home of the world's largest trees, and a road to the base of the famous Moro Rock. By mid-August, wagons of visitors were able to enter the mountaintop forest for the first time.[5]
With the end of the brief summer construction season, Young was transferred on November 2, 1903, and reassigned as the troop commander of the Tenth Cavalry at the Presidio. In his final report on Sequoia Park to the Secretary of the Interior, he recommended the government acquire privately held lands there, to secure more park area for future generations. This recommendation was noted in legislation to that purpose introduced in the United States House of Representatives.
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Other military assignments
Charles Young cartoon by Charles Alston, 1943
With the Army's founding of the Military Intelligence Department, in 1904 it assigned Young as one the first military attachés, serving in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He was to collect intelligence on different groups in Haiti, to help identify forces that might destabilize the government. He served there for three years.
In 1908 Young was sent to the Philippines to join his Ninth Regiment and command a squadron of two troops. It was his second tour there. After his return to the US, he served for two years at Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming.
In 1912 Young was assigned as military attaché in Liberia, the first African American to hold that post. For three years, he served as an expert adviser to the Liberian Government and also took a direct role, supervising construction of the country's infrastructure. For his achievements, in 1916 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awarded Young the Spingarn Medal, given annually to the African American demonstrating the highest achievement and contributions.[6]
In 1912 Young published "The Military Morale of Nations and Races," a remarkably prescient study of the cultural sources of military power. He argued against the prevailing theories of the fixity of racial character, using history and social science to demonstrate that even supposedly servile or un-military races (such as Negroes and Jews) displayed martial virtues when fighting for democratic societies. Thus the key to raising an effective mass army from among a polyglot American people was to link patriotic service with fulfillment of the democratic promise of equal rights and fair play for all. Young's book was dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt, and invoked the principles of Roosevelt's "New Nationalism" -- but with a more liberal and egalitarian understanding of racial "character." [7]
During the 1916 Punitive Expedition by the United States into Mexico, then Major Young commanded the 2nd squadron of the 10th United States Cavalry. While leading a cavalry pistol charge against Pancho Villa's forces at Agua Caliente (1 April 1916), he routed the opposing forces without losing a single man. His swift action saved the wounded General Beltran and his men of the 13th Cavalry, who had been outflanked.[8]
Because of his exceptional leadership of the 10th Cavalry in the Mexican theater of war, Young was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in September 1916. He was assigned as commander of Fort Huachuca, the base in Arizona of the Tenth Cavalry, nicknamed the "Buffalo Soldiers", until mid 1917.[6] He was the first African American to achieve the rank of colonel in the US Army.[9]
Forced retirement
With the outbreak of World War I, Young likely hoped for a chance to gain a promotion to general. At this time there was widespread resistance among white officers to being outranked by African-Americans. A lieutenant who served under Young complained to the War Department and was told by Secretary of War Newton Baker to "either do his duty or resign." John Sharp Williams, senator from Mississippi, complained on the lieutenant's behalf to President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson overruled Baker's decision and had the lieutenant transferred. Other white officers in the 10th Cavalry were thus encouraged to apply for transfers as well. Baker considered sending Young to Fort Des Moines, an officer training camp for African-Americans. However, Baker realized that if Young were allowed to fight in Europe with black troops under his command he would surely become eligible for promotion to Brigadier General and it would then be impossible to avoid having white officers subordinate to him. To prevent this, Young was called off of active duty by the War Department, which falsely claimed that he suffered from high blood pressure.[10] Young was placed temporarily on the inactive list on June 22, 1917.
In May 1917 Young appealed to Theodore Roosevelt for support of his application for reinstatement. Roosevelt was in the midst of his campaign to form a "volunteer division" for early service in France. Apparently Roosevelt was planning to recruit at least one, and perhaps two regiments of African-American troops for the division -- a part of his plan he did not reveal to President Wilson or Secretary of War Baker. He immediately wrote to Young offering him command of one of the prospective regiments:“there is not another man [than yourself] who would be better fitted to command such a regiment.” He also promised Young "carte blanche" in appointing staff and line officers for the unit. The plan came to nothing when Wilson refused Roosevelt permission to organize his volunteer division. [11]
He returned to Wilberforce University, where he was a Professor of Military Science through most of 1918. On November 6, 1918, after Young traveled by horseback from Wilberforce, Ohio to Washington, D.C. to prove his physical fitness, he was reinstated on active duty in the Army and promoted to full Colonel,[5] although Baker did not rescind his order that Young be forcibly retired.[10] In 1919, he was assigned again as military attaché to Liberia.
Young died January 8, 1922 of a kidney infection while on a reconnaissance mission in Nigeria. His body was returned to the United States, where he was given a full military funeral and buried at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC. He had become a public and respected figure because of his unique achievements in the US Army, and his obituary was carried in the New York Times.[12]
Charles Young cartoon by Charles Alston, 1943
With the Army's founding of the Military Intelligence Department, in 1904 it assigned Young as one the first military attachés, serving in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He was to collect intelligence on different groups in Haiti, to help identify forces that might destabilize the government. He served there for three years.
In 1908 Young was sent to the Philippines to join his Ninth Regiment and command a squadron of two troops. It was his second tour there. After his return to the US, he served for two years at Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming.
In 1912 Young was assigned as military attaché in Liberia, the first African American to hold that post. For three years, he served as an expert adviser to the Liberian Government and also took a direct role, supervising construction of the country's infrastructure. For his achievements, in 1916 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awarded Young the Spingarn Medal, given annually to the African American demonstrating the highest achievement and contributions.[6]
In 1912 Young published "The Military Morale of Nations and Races," a remarkably prescient study of the cultural sources of military power. He argued against the prevailing theories of the fixity of racial character, using history and social science to demonstrate that even supposedly servile or un-military races (such as Negroes and Jews) displayed martial virtues when fighting for democratic societies. Thus the key to raising an effective mass army from among a polyglot American people was to link patriotic service with fulfillment of the democratic promise of equal rights and fair play for all. Young's book was dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt, and invoked the principles of Roosevelt's "New Nationalism" -- but with a more liberal and egalitarian understanding of racial "character." [7]
During the 1916 Punitive Expedition by the United States into Mexico, then Major Young commanded the 2nd squadron of the 10th United States Cavalry. While leading a cavalry pistol charge against Pancho Villa's forces at Agua Caliente (1 April 1916), he routed the opposing forces without losing a single man. His swift action saved the wounded General Beltran and his men of the 13th Cavalry, who had been outflanked.[8]
Because of his exceptional leadership of the 10th Cavalry in the Mexican theater of war, Young was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in September 1916. He was assigned as commander of Fort Huachuca, the base in Arizona of the Tenth Cavalry, nicknamed the "Buffalo Soldiers", until mid 1917.[6] He was the first African American to achieve the rank of colonel in the US Army.[9]
Forced retirement
With the outbreak of World War I, Young likely hoped for a chance to gain a promotion to general. At this time there was widespread resistance among white officers to being outranked by African-Americans. A lieutenant who served under Young complained to the War Department and was told by Secretary of War Newton Baker to "either do his duty or resign." John Sharp Williams, senator from Mississippi, complained on the lieutenant's behalf to President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson overruled Baker's decision and had the lieutenant transferred. Other white officers in the 10th Cavalry were thus encouraged to apply for transfers as well. Baker considered sending Young to Fort Des Moines, an officer training camp for African-Americans. However, Baker realized that if Young were allowed to fight in Europe with black troops under his command he would surely become eligible for promotion to Brigadier General and it would then be impossible to avoid having white officers subordinate to him. To prevent this, Young was called off of active duty by the War Department, which falsely claimed that he suffered from high blood pressure.[10] Young was placed temporarily on the inactive list on June 22, 1917.
In May 1917 Young appealed to Theodore Roosevelt for support of his application for reinstatement. Roosevelt was in the midst of his campaign to form a "volunteer division" for early service in France. Apparently Roosevelt was planning to recruit at least one, and perhaps two regiments of African-American troops for the division -- a part of his plan he did not reveal to President Wilson or Secretary of War Baker. He immediately wrote to Young offering him command of one of the prospective regiments:“there is not another man [than yourself] who would be better fitted to command such a regiment.” He also promised Young "carte blanche" in appointing staff and line officers for the unit. The plan came to nothing when Wilson refused Roosevelt permission to organize his volunteer division. [11]
He returned to Wilberforce University, where he was a Professor of Military Science through most of 1918. On November 6, 1918, after Young traveled by horseback from Wilberforce, Ohio to Washington, D.C. to prove his physical fitness, he was reinstated on active duty in the Army and promoted to full Colonel,[5] although Baker did not rescind his order that Young be forcibly retired.[10] In 1919, he was assigned again as military attaché to Liberia.
Young died January 8, 1922 of a kidney infection while on a reconnaissance mission in Nigeria. His body was returned to the United States, where he was given a full military funeral and buried at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC. He had become a public and respected figure because of his unique achievements in the US Army, and his obituary was carried in the New York Times.[12]
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Honors and legacy
Young's house near Wilberforce
Colonel Young was entitled to the following medals:
Young's house near Wilberforce
- 1903 - The Visalia, California Board of Trade presented Young with a citation in appreciation of his performance as Acting Superintendent of Sequoia National Park.
- 1916 - The NAACP awarded him the Spingarn Medal for his achievements in Liberia and the US Army.
- He was elected an honorary member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
- 1922 - Young's obituary appeared in the New York Times, demonstrating his national reputation
- 1922 - His funeral was one of few held at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was buried in Section 3.[12]
- Charles E. Young Elementary School, named in his honor, was built in Washington, D.C. The school is the first elementary school in Northeast D.C., and was built explicitly to improve education in the city's black neighborhoods.
- 1974 - The house where he had lived when teaching at Wilberforce University was designated a National Historic Landmark, in recognition of his historic importance.[6]
- 2001 - Senator Mike DeWine introduced Senate Resolution 97, to recognize the contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry, and Colonel Charles D. Young.[13]
- 2013 - President Barack Obama used the Antiquities Act to designate Young's house as the 401st unit of the National Park System, the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument.[14]
Colonel Young was entitled to the following medals:
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
February 10 - 1964, After 10 days of debate and voting on 125 amendments, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by a vote of 290-130. The bill prohibited any state or local government or public facility from denying access to anyone because of race or ethnic origin. It further gave the U.S. Attorney General the power to bring school desegregation law suits.
Deadpool1986
Cook with a Mouth
Fact #36
W.E.B. Du Bois died one day before Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington (August 28, 1963).
Fact #37
Fact #38
Shortly before his mysterious disappearance in 1934, Wallace D. Fard founded the Nation of Islam.
Fact #39
Fact #40
After friend and musical partner Tammi Terrell died of a brain tumor, a grieving Marvin Gaye recorded his future hit single "What's Goin' On," having Detroit Lions' athletes Lem Barney and Mel Farr lay down vocals for the song's intro. Gaye later met with Lions' coach Joe Schmidt to propose the idea of playing for the team, which Schmidt turned down.
W.E.B. Du Bois died one day before Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington (August 28, 1963).
Fact #37
Fact #38
Shortly before his mysterious disappearance in 1934, Wallace D. Fard founded the Nation of Islam.
Fact #39
Fact #40
After friend and musical partner Tammi Terrell died of a brain tumor, a grieving Marvin Gaye recorded his future hit single "What's Goin' On," having Detroit Lions' athletes Lem Barney and Mel Farr lay down vocals for the song's intro. Gaye later met with Lions' coach Joe Schmidt to propose the idea of playing for the team, which Schmidt turned down.