Gems for The Journey: Memorializing African American Inventors by Rev. Veronica Thomas (M.Div.’07)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2, NRSV
The Christian life is like a relay race
Persons of faith who have run before us have passed the baton to us and now watch us carry on. As we run, we can look back and see how Jesus ran his race. When we look ahead, we can see his exaltation. He is our example as starter and finisher. In our scripture cited above, this “Great cloud of witnesses” is composed of the people in Hebrews 11. The faithfulness of the witnesses is a constant encouragement to us. We do not struggle alone and we are not the first to struggle with the problems we face. Witnesses stir us to run and to win also. What an inspiring heritage we have! As black Christians we are blessed to have a “Cloud of witnesses” in the bible and we have a cloud of witnesses that has set the path for us today.
My father, a long time servant of God, and a former president of the United Theological Seminary in Monroe, Louisiana, wrote a sermon entitled “Memorial Service.” We are told memorials are reminders. The Passover reminds us of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery, when God “Passed over” the houses of the Israelites during the last of the ten plagues. The 12 stones remind us today of the place that the priests stood on the river so that the people of Israel could cross. The remembrance is for the Israelites to recall that the miracle that God dried the Jordan River and allowed the people to cross safely into the promised land he had promised them. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the breaking and eating of bread to symbolize Christ’s body broken for us and drinking wine to remember his blood shed for our sins.
Black History Month: A time to remember Black inventors with pride
During the month of February, as blacks we remember with pride, the great work done by black individuals. It should be an everyday remembrance by all Americans, because we all benefit from their inventions every day. Let us look at some blacks’ accomplishments that have bettered the life of all humans. Let us consider, “What would the world be like without black people?” It was the black people who built America, cleaned the land, built the houses, worked the fields, cooked the food and nursed the babies. Even though we were robbed of any opportunities to help ourselves get ahead, we still made a difference in the life of humankind inventing valuable additions and conveniences in our lives. I will just name a few.
- Albert B. Blackburn – The cross-bar to help enable trains to transmit signals coming from either direction.
- Charles B. Brooks – invented the street sweeper which helped in cleaning the streets and shopping malls. This invention uses revolving brushes which elevates the rubbish into a refuse receptacle.
- Garrett A. Morgan – In November 1923, he invented the first traffic signal. This safety device eliminates traffic jams and accidents on our busy city streets. The General Electric Corporation purchased the rights to Morgan’s traffic signal for $40,000.
- Morgan also invented the gas mask which is worn by fire persons to breathe freely when they enter a smoke-filled building. The gas mask helps the firepersons to perform their duties of saving lives without endangering themselves
- William H. Richardson’s invention of improvements to children’s carriages permits the body of the carriage to reverse. This process works by the running gear of the king bolt. With this improvement the face or back of the child can be closer to the attendant keeping the child’s face out of the sun without turning the entire carriage.
These are just a few of the “Great works” of black Americans. More of such inventions will be included in the May, August, and November newsletters.
You can see that blacks have made great contributions in the history of America. What would America be like without blacks? Why have blacks been treated unjustly since arrival in 1619? There are black horses and white horses. They are both required to do the same. We have black cows and white cows, their milk is the same color, taste the same and both produce the same meat that we eat from them. In spite of the struggles against discriminatory practices, our forefathers and foremothers bought and owned land, built schools, and educated their children. It is because of the many intermittent generation that we are here. We owe them our all.
There is work yet to be done
Why are blacks considered inferior to whites? God made only one man and one woman. All humankind are descendants of Adam and Eve (Gen 1:27; 2:21-23 NRSV). All men and women are made in the image of God. There are only two classes of people mentioned in the Bible: Jews and Gentiles, saints and sinners.
John 3:16 declares we are all loved by God. To say God made one group of people inferior and another superior because of the color of their skin, is to say God is not fair and has been partial toward humankind. Nowhere in the Bible can we find where God is interested in the color of our skin, but he is concerned about the content of the heart. In Acts10:34-35, Peter declares that God is no respecter of person. Paul says in Acts 17:26, “From one man he made all nations” we are all made one through Christ.
Our forefathers had faith in God and believed that “trouble won’t last always.” Always remember: There is only one cross, one redeemer and only one Heaven. So, strive to go to Heaven and be altogether in the heavenly host for eternity. Let us respond to the Word of God. Amen. So be it.
The Alumni Corner tells some of our stories, one at a time. If you would like us to highlight an innovative or exciting ministry in your church or agency, or if you have a fellow alum you would recommend us contacting, please email Rev. Dr. Clay Macaulay, Alumni Development Director, cmacaulay@upsem.edu
