Lift Every Voice and Sing (1900) by James Weldon Johnson

Percy Julian's Contributions to Science

Percy Julian (1899-1975) was a chemist responsible for using plants to synthesize new medicines. Percy Julian took the soybean and was able to produce medicine that could treat inflammatory arthritis. Prior to this, treatment was limited. He was the first to synthesize physostigmine. Physostigmine  is used to treat glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and recently orthostatic hypotension (extremely low blood pressure).  Percy Julian by utilizing the soybean oils was able to synthesize cortisone for commercial use.  Percy Julian also explored the chemical synthesis of testosterone and and progesterone. Cortisone synthesis was another one of his scientific contributions.. Cortisone can be used to treat arthritis. Besides being a chemist, he also was a businessman. He founded Julian Laboratories in 1953. Percy Julian's company specialized in the production of cortisone. This time, Percy Julian did not only produce it from soybeans, but yams as well. He enjoyed research and his work. He always had a burning curiosity about chemical structures and the interactions of molecules. 

The chemical formula for physostigmine 

Eventually, Percy Julian's company became one of  the largest drug producers that used yams. By 1964 he sold the company. Then founded smaller companies and continued his true love of research. Percy Julian also has the distinction of teaching at both Howard University and DePauw University. Most of his discoveries were uncovered at Depauw. Percy Julian was able to challenge the European monopoly on sterols. The chemical manipulation of soybeans reduced the cost of sterol production in the United States. Dr. Julian proved that science can have positive effects on society. 

The chemical formula for cortisone 

     

Further Reading 

Addams, Russell. Great Negroes Past and Present . Chicago: Afro-Am Publishing Company,1964.

Roucek,Joseph & Kiernan, Thomas. The Negro Impact on Western Civilization. New York: 

            Philosophical Library,1970. 

  Appiah, Kwame and Gates, Henry. “Percy Julian.” Africana Encyclopedia.

             New York :Perseus Books Group,1999. 1071    

Morgan Freeman On Black History Month

When this interview aired there was controversy over Morgan Freeman's comments. Before one condemns what he is saying, just think. It is legitimate to say that black history is American history. For centuries, it was ignored and deliberately excluded from the general narrative of the United States .Regulating a people's history to one month is a ludicrous. Considering that people of African descent had a history prior to their forced arrival  to the US, it only demonstrates the continued exclusion in society. Morgan Freedman's solution to racial hatred seems simplistic. Although seeing each other as human beings and individuals would be favorable, it is not possible. Whites are obsessed with race to the extent that it is pathological. The West wages on non-white populations for supreme hegemony of the globe. Simply "not talking about it" will not solve the problem. Morgan Freeman's comments are a demand for inclusion in a society that is discriminatory. The detractors are people who benefit by excluding the narratives of other ethnic groups. Their desire is to keep a eurocentric world view of history, while regulating non-whites to a marginalized sector. 

Joel Augustus Rogers the Pioneer of African History

During the early twentieth century African history was not part of  the US educational curriculum. Many white academics chose to ignore or erase African history. However, there were African American educators and scholars that challenged the racist and eurocentric perspective of history. Joel Augustus Rogers (1880-1966) was a pioneer in the study of African history. His focus was not just on Africa, but the entire diaspora. His research and writings exposed a long and rich history of people of African descent. J.A. Rogers spent decades writing and producing both books including pamphlets. When he was alive, his books did not reach a mass audience. They were self published and circulated within the African American community. Book stores or universities did not carry his work. It was not until the 1960s did higher education offer students Black studies courses or African history. Although J.A. Rogers did not have formal training as a historian, he developed his writing and research skills through   autodidactism. His other occupation besides being a writer, was a journalist, which allowed him to travel extensively. J.A. Rogers was also an anthropologist and used this field of study to disprove theories of racial superiority. He wrote many books including Superman to Man, Sex and Race, The Five Negro Presidents, and World's Great Men of Color .  World's  Great Men of Color  was his magnum opus. It chronicled the development of African civilization from the ancient world to the 20th century. Not only did it discuss the history of the African diaspora, but important historical figures. Pianky, Nzinga, Askia the Great, and Hatshepsut  are just a few major leaders described in this work. J.A> Rogers may not have lived to see the rise of Black Studies, but his work continues to be published. 

The Civil War & Its Aftermath Dr. John Henrik Clarke

The American Civil War brought major changes to the lives of African Americans. They were no longer enslaved, made citizens, and were given new opportunities. However, white supremacy and racism would not die. John Henrik Clarke explains the struggle and challenges faced by the freedmen and the centuries old black resistance to injustice. 

Stoicism

Stoicism is a branch of ancient philosophy, which sought to find joy through wisdom. Only with the acquisition of wisdom can an individual live a full and prosperous life. This concept was developed by Zeno (334-233 B.C.E). The word stoic derives from the area in which he began his school (stoa meaning porch in Greek).  Gradually, other philosophers contributed to this body of thought. Cleanthes, Aristo, Epictetus, Seneca, Cicero, and Marcus Aurelius adopted Stoic thought. Zeno regarded Socrates with high esteem and incorporated some of his ideas into his own philosophy. Stoicism examines elements of knowledge, ethics, logic, and the physical world.
     The stoic view of knowledge holds that exposure to matter builds the mind. Knowledge can be acquired through the senses and interaction with physical matter. This matter is not inactive, but an ever present force. It will not be static. It shall change constantly. Nature has an order due to this force and active matter. The way in which an individual thinks is related to how they perceive physical matter. Stoics believed existence was impossible without matter. Stoics did not want to become completely emotionless, but gain control of them from logical thought. Only when an individual can reason can they seek true happiness. Stoic thought in many respects became the foundation of materialist ideas.
        The stoics had a deterministic view of events. Nothing just happened; it had a purpose. Not only are events happening for a reason it is part of a larger plan. This plan is set fourth by God or Gods in accordance with the laws of  nature. Trying to interfere with this design would be pointless. Acceptance and rationalization of events can help an individual achieve full harmony. If one does not react to certain events, they will function better. The logos ( Gods or rather reason itself) are in control of all existence. Concepts such as fate and providence are emphasized. This is not in a fashion of mysticism, but the idea that the world and nature function on logic and laws. 
         Ethics are another area of concern to stoics. Individuals are in a manner actors in a drama. Everyone is given a role by the logos. It is out of their control which role in life one will receive. One of the major goals of the stoics was to relinquish excessive desires. Constant searches for pleasure could have negative consequences. Ideologically they were the opposite of hedonists. However, they do not agree with the basis of cynic philosophy.  Stoics did not repudiate society completely. The idea was to remain neutral to events. Ethical questions that discuss good and evil are regulated to the individual. Seeing as an individual controls their emotions and personal conduct  responsibility rests solely on them. Other factors are not relevant in regards to concepts of good or evil. Genuine virtue can only be acquired by indifference. 
             The most important contribution by the stoics was the early development universal natural law of justice. All human beings are connected. The link was the Gods and logos which were a part of nature. There for the law should function in the interest of all people. Even though your fate is predetermined in this philosophy, it does not give people  the right to dominate  other groups. The subject of freedom complicates aspects of stoic philosophy. Freedom from the stoic perspective is the elimination of emotional distress. Yet, if  a person has no choice in certain decisions this could induce distress. The concept of predestined roles can be abused to justify the discrimination of marginalized groups in society. This contradictory and ambiguous perspective on freedom complicates the relation with  universal natural law of justice. 
                 Stoicism would later be eclipsed by the rise of Christianity. During its golden age it influenced many philosophers, leaders,  and the people of the ancient world. The impact cannot be underestimated when examining Greek and Roman civilization. Modern vernacular changed the word stoic to mean " a person who can endure pain without emotion or feeling." The philosophic tradition of stoicism is more complex and has a vast body of thought. 

Further Reading 

   Stumpf, Samuel. Socrates to Sarte. New York: McGraw-Hill  Book Company,1982.

Popkin R.H.,  & Stroll A . Philosophy Made Simple .New York : Broadway Books,1993. 

Robert Mugabe Will Serve as African Union Chairman

The President of Zimbabwe will become chairman of the AU. This is a pivotal development, because it demonstrates that African nations are willing to confront the West. Robert Mugabe who served as prime minister from 1980 to 1987 and then president from 1987 ever since is seen as a liberation hero. As a rebel leader he fought the white minority ruled regime in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe also continued liberation struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Since 2003, the West has sanctioned Zimbabwe on the grounds of electoral fraud and human rights abuses. The real motive behind this was that Robert Mugabe refused to follow Western imperial agendas in Southern Africa. This is a wonderful news and victory to anyone seeking to break the chains of Western domination.