«-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