[NFBofSC] Black history Month

[Ernest Gallman]

Black history Month
“To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by 
people of African descent,  American historian Carter G. Woodson 
established Black History Week (then called “Negro History  Week”) 
nearly a century ago. The event was first celebrated during the second 
week of February  1926, selected because it coincides with the 
birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and  
abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14). That week would 
continue to be set aside for  the event until 1976 when, as part of the 
nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month. Since  then, U.S. 
presidents have proclaimed February as National Black History Month.”
Currently, the White House defines it as “both a celebration and a 
powerful reminder that Black  History is American history”.
The Month also honors the contribution and legacy of activists, 
politicians and civil rights  pioneers, including Harriet Tubman, 
Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, among others.
Every year there is also a theme that marks the celebration. This 
year’s theme is focused on Black  people’s health and wellness.
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According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and 
History (ASALH), “the 2022  theme considers activities, rituals and 
initiatives that Black communities have done to be well”.
“This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and 
medical practitioners in Western  medicine, but also other ways of 
knowing (eg, birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths,  herbalists, 
etc) throughout the African Diaspora,” ASALH  says .
Let’s work together to celebrate the history and lives of black 
Americans through black history  month and beyond the month of February
After asking folks to contribute information on facts and history of 
black Americans or to  contribute information about our black leaders, 
the following was submitted by Debra Canty, second  vice-president of 
the NFB of SC, president of the Sumter chapter and co-chair of our 
fundraising  committee.
George Crum
 Crum, a chef and restaurateur is said to have unintentionally created 
the potato chip during the  summer of 1853. They were made in response 
to a customer who sent back their fried potatoes after  complaining 
they were too thick. The crisps were an instant hit, and though Crum 
never patented the  creations, chips are arguably now one of the 
world's favorite snacks.
Charles Richard Drew
 Dubbed the "Father of the Blood Bank" by the American Chemical 
Society, Drew pioneered the  research used to discover the effective 
long-term preservation of blood plasma. He also streamlined  the 
country's blood banks, establishing methods that were used by the Red 
Cross. Drew's  contributions saved countless of lives during World War II.
Marie Van Brittan Brown
 Brown filed a patent in 1966 for the first-ever home security system 
after wanting to increase her  own house's security in her Queens, New 
York neighborhood. Her original design contained a camera,  two-way 
microphone, peepholes, and monitors, all serving as the foundations for 
today's modern  systems.
Patricia Bath
In 1986, Bath, an ophthalmologist and laser scientist, invented 
laserphaco—a device and technique  used to remove cataracts and revive 
patients' eyesight. It is now used internationally.
 good info. on Thursday, February 3, 2022