(NAME-MCE) Food for Thought During Black History Month

[Aukram Burton]

Fellow Colleagues and Friends,

A Black Man!

Why is it that a Black Man can create a tiny piece called a filament  
(electric light – Lewis Latimer) that allows people to see in the dark?

But can’t be seen fit to lead a country to the true light.

Why is it that a Black Man can create an instrument (clock – Benjamin

Banneker) that all people use to tell time?

But people don’t think it is time for him to run a country.

Why is it that a Black Man can design a place for the high authorities  
to meet in & a place for the president to live in (The Capital & the  
White House Phillip Reid (a slave) & Pierre L’Enfant)?

But not good enough to lead these meetings or live in himself.

Why is it that a Black Man was brilliant enough to do the first open  
heart surgery (Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) and show the world how to get  
and preserve plasma (Dr.. Charles Drew)?

But not good enough to put a program in place where everyone can  
afford this surgery.

Why is it that a Black Man was creative enough to design an instrument  
(traffic light – Garrett Morgan) to bring multiple people (traffic) to  
a halt?

But not seen creative enough to design a plan to bring all this  
unnecessary and worthless fighting between countries.

Why is it that a Black Man could create the soles (shoes – Jan

Matzeliger) that people walk on everyday?

But not seen good enough to fill the shoes of a bad president.

Why is it that a Black Man was smart enough & brave enough to teach  
himself (Fredrick Douglas &Thomas Fuller - both slaves) and others how  
to read, write and/or calculate math?

But not seen smart enough and bold enough to calculate a platform to  
be President to a country that sure needs another first by us.

So you see my Brother and Sisters what I am saying is let us not  
forget our past, which led us to our present and can definitely be the  
backbone to our future.  We were good enough, smart enough, creative  
enough, and bold enough then,  We all are as strong as our weakest  
link, so don’t be that weak link that denies our people that chance to  
show we still can OVERCOME & BE THE FIRST!

Pass it on to our young people!





Ritta R. Abell, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Morehead State University

Morehead, Ky 40351

Ofc: (606) 783-2510

Home (606) 783-9800