The Tragedy And Triumph Of Matthew Henson
Racism Carpets Matthew Henson's Historic Achievement

Today, we celebrate the birthday of Matthew Henson who was the first recognized Non-Eskimo​ to reach the North Pole. He was the first of many explorers who sought to be on top of the world. He reached that pinnacle on April 6, 1909,​ with Commodore Peary who arrived 45 minutes later. As with all black historical events in the early 20th century,​ Matthew Henson's historic accomplishment was swept under the carpet of racist ignorance until ​Matthew Henson had passed​ away. He was the ​constant companion of Peary during these Arctic expeditions but it was Peary who ​turned his ​back on Henson after returning to the United States. Today, I will read two articles that will detail the racism that Matthew Henson faced during his lifetime. Join me in recognizing the greatness of Mattew Henson whose body is now interred in the Arlington National Cemetary next to Admiral Robert Peary. He finally was recognized for his historic achievement but long after his death.

The post photo cover includes an image of Akatingwah carrying Anaukaq, the son she had with Matthew Henson, along with of course the great black explorer Matthew Henson.

August 7, 1930, Real History The Savage Mob

Today's historical moment in time takes us back 87 years to August 7, 1930, when 2 black men were lynched and one miraculously saved. Back in the dark days of Jim Crow America white mobs terrorized blacks throughout the nation. There was no talk of the lone wolf terrorist who stalked the communities of black America. It was the white wolf mobs that create hatred and mayhem not only in the former confederate states but in states throughout this nation. 89 years ago we should never forget the names of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith who were taken from a jail cell in Marion, Indiana by mobs thousands of so-called citizens white men.

Shipp and Smith were savagely brutalized, burned alive and shot and butchered with a crowd of 15,000 whites, men, women, and children watching in a carnival atmosphere. There was no trial for Smith and Shipp, they were no testimony from witnesses detailing the crimes that Smith and Shipp were accused of. The mob convicted them and carried out the sentence for all of this nation to see. The photos of the strange fruit hanging from the massive Indiana tree bore the illegitimacy of a twisted nation reveling in the racial hatred of whites against the entire race of blacks.

Had it not been for the fact that one survivor James Cameron, a young black teenager who was saved from the hangman's noose and the butchery when a lone white voice called out his innocence. Mr. Cameron lived 92 full years and became an advocate against racial terror that came in the mode of lynching blacks. During his life, James Cameron became an entrepreneur, father of five, civil rights activist, and founder of this museum. He taught people to “forgive but not forget” and to be “better, not bitter.”

However, Thomas Shipp or Abram Smith didn't live long lives. They had their lives snuffed out in the main town square of Marion, Indiana. They were never convicted of any crime. Yet, one accusation caused the hated mania of those mobs of white men, rape and neither Shipp nor Smith stood a chance after that accusation. They would not last the night and the visible sign of both Shipp and Smith hanging mutilated from that Indiana tree was a sign for any other blacks in Marion to not step across the line, or they would face the same treatment.

115 years ago Ralph Bunche was born. When one mentions the Nobel Peace Prize and the first African Americans of distinction to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. You automatically refer the name Martin Luther King Jr. whose stately monument sits majestically on the National Mall. Yet the very first African American to win that cherished honor was, in fact, Ralph Bunche who delivered impeccable diplomatic work trying to achieve peace in the Middle East.
"To make our way, we must have firm resolve, persistence, tenacity. We must gear ourselves to work hard all the way. We can never let up."
Today, I will read his Ralph Bunche's acceptance when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. This historic accomplishment should never be discounted even though peace in the Middle East has still not yet been achieved. At least it was a brother who sought to bring an end to the violence.