Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 2002)
«-llortlanù ■III BLACK HlSTORY M O N T H 2002 s p e c ia l - Ohb.rrUrr llfflll A .V Ar ' e d .h o n ------ February 27,2002 America's Black Patriots I I \ k l l \ V I HI K | (ll< | I I I R ( IK 11 W I l O l I M K M K True freedom often comes with a price. Since the early history o f this country, African Americans have made hard sacrifices to ensure freedom fo r all. Through this Black History special edition, the Portland Observer would like to acknowledge the many black heroes and heroines who have fought valiantly in the wars within our homeland and abroad. Crispus Attacks, the First Black to Die for America’s Freedom As sla v e ry weighed heavy on the hearts of many in this country, another chal lenge “stood taller.” E n g lan d ru led the colonies and the colo nists were growing tired and frustrated with it. On the afternoon o f March 5, 1770 in B o sto n , so m eo n e would light a torch that was the start of a c o n flic t th a t set America on an irre versible course to wards freedom and in dependence. Crispus Attucks, a runaw ay slave and The Boston Massacre o f 1770 was headed by an escaped slave and m e rc h a n t seam an , seaman named Crispus Attucks. He was among the first to die for freedom w as ea tin g d in n e r during the bloody encounter with British soldiers. w hen he b ecam e aware o f a fight be tween Boston men and several British soldiers. As C rispus Attucks prepared for a fight to the Attucks went to Dock Square to investigate. He death, som ething suddenly flew over his head. It was a large chunk of ice. Som eone farther back in picked up a stick and shouted to the crowd gathered there to follow him to King Street, leading the march the mob had “cast the first stone.” As his eyes follow ed the ice, he knew w hat to do: lunge for against the monarchy for imposing an unfair tax. ward and fight for his life. H ow ever, the second the Cold and angry, the angry mob began yelling at the English soldiers. As the voices began to rumble heavy block o f ice hit a British soldier with a loud thud, a deafening sound of rifle fire echoed through louder and louder, it seemed as though cannons were going off. The small group o f soldiers became the streets o f Boston. Before he had a chance to fight, A ttucks was shot tw ice with tw o m usket more and more frightened. The angry mob had now balls by a defending British soldier. A ttucks died grown to over four hundred people. As the crowd lying in the cold snow on that night, now known moved in, Attucks stood tall and strong at the front as the B oston M assacre. line. The same boiling frustration that caused him to Although four others died and six were wounded run away from his master twenty years ago, now appeared again. Fearing death by an angry mob, the in the fight, Crispus was the first. A century later in 1888, a monument was erected on Boston Common soldiers screamed back, warning the protestors to celebrate Crispus and the others. Their life-giving go away. Attucks moved forward. The crowd fol patriotism sent a strong message to England. A few lowed closely behind. There was not turning back. years later, the colonies would unite together and Running away would not be the act of a defeated defeat the British Empire. coward; the act o f a conquered slave. Page A5 First celebrated in 1926, February 2002 is the .Black H is fo ry The Urban League of Portland Joins with friends and neighbors in observance of Black History Month. t We welcome the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans whose achievements have contributed so much to this nation. O ur Message... “To serve African Am ericans a n d a ll who strive toward economic self-reliance a n d social equality. ” Dr. Ben Carson is the world-renowned director of pediatric neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland. He has pioneered techniques for separating conjoined twins and fo r stopping intractable seizures. • Ay N A SA ’s first African American female astronaut, Dr. Mae Jemison helped conduct life science experiments aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour that were designed to help prepare humans for long-term space ventures. • In 1998, Dr. David Satcher became only the second person in history to hold simultaneously the positions o f U.S. Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health. • Dr. Samuel L. Kountz, Jr., developed a crucial technique for detecting and treating the body’s rejection of transplanted kidneys. • A pioneer in cardiac surgery, Dr. Daniel Hale W illiam s performed the first open-heart surgery in 1893 when he removed a knife from the heart o f a stabbing victim. He also helped fo u n d a training school for nurses.* Dr. Louis T. W rig h t gained national acclaim as both a premier surgeon and a champion o f equal rights. In 1919, he became the AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH We salute the countless contributions that African Americans have made toward healthier lives for us all. first African American doctor appointed to the sta ff o f a municipal hospital in New York City. • Dr. Charles R. D rew 5 pioneering work in blood plasma research and in blood banking was responsible for saving innumerable lives during World War II. • Dr. Alexia Irene Canada became the first African American woman to be certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. She has taught at several distinguished institutions. • One o f America’s most eminent biologists o f the 2(fih century, Dr. Ernest E. Just wrote a book titled “The Biology o f the Cell Surface” that contributed important insights into germ cells.... 4th (Most INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK 2002 SMG IHN TOO I Providence Portland Medical Center • Providence St. Vincent Medical Center • Providence Milwaukie Hospital Providence Newberg Hospital • Providence Seaside Hospital • Providence Medford Medical Center Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital • Providence Health Plans • www.providence.org/oregon A i
