Without getting too political, we must realize something during this Black History Month. We, as a people, as a culture, as a force, have made huge strides in our recent history. One person of particular interest, was recently awarded one of the highest honors in the United States for his achievements, Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson, Sr., M.D.
Dr. Carson, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is a pioneer in neurosurgery; notable for being the first to perform a successful operation separating craniopagus (Siamese) twins. What's truly amazing and noteworthy about his story is, he was the first Black man to make such major achievements in an institution where the white establishment frowned on the elevation and furtherance of Black people. However, his story is even more interesting and makes for a "Lifetime" movie.
By all accounts of his life, Dr. Carson should not have made it this far; according to one of his grammar school teachers. In fact, all the odds were against him. He was raised without a father, his mother didn't know how to read, he had anger issues, but most of all, he was Black in the 1950s and 60s. But what he lacked in gifts, he made up for in determination and perseverance [I love this word]. His mother, being the strong woman she was used to clean homes, in order to put food on the table and pay the bills. And though she couldn't read and didn't have any formal schooling past the third grade, she knew the value of an education. She always instilled in him that he can do and be whatever he wanted to be. With his mother's guidance, a forward thinking teacher that sparked his interest in science and God's graces, Dr. Carson applied himself to his education, his goals of being a doctor and his determination to be the best that he can be.
However, on the road of redemption, he met with some obstacles; one of which was his temper. In one situation, he had an altercation with a classmate [as the story goes], in which he lashed out in anger at the student. In the fit of rage, he picked up a knife and stabbed at the other student. In a miraculous turn of events, the blade of the knife broke in half before connecting with the other boy, and two lives were saved that day. Dr. Carson turned to God's guidance, furthered his education and went on to become the "best" neurosurgeon to be inducted into this privileged institution. Since then, he has received numerous accolades from around the world, but what has been equally impressive is his philanthropic scholarship foundation that he and his wife have established for students who strive for academic excellence and demonstrate a strong commitment to their community. Since its inception, the Carson Scholars Fund has awarded over 3,400 scholarships and has scholars in 26 states.
For Black History Month, I celebrate the life of Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson, Sr. M.D. However, it's the single mothers who have the fortitude to see strong and promising possibilities in their children, that need the celebration. The mothers who have to work one, two, three or even four jobs to bring food home for their family. The mothers, that may not know it all, but know that there is more out there and it can be achieved by anyone. The mothers that give up their lives, their dreams, their freedoms to raise the Dr. Carsons, the President Obamas, the Jay-Zs, the Dr. Kings and more. For Black History Month, we celebrate you, as well as your sons and daughters of our movement!
Dr. Carson, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is a pioneer in neurosurgery; notable for being the first to perform a successful operation separating craniopagus (Siamese) twins. What's truly amazing and noteworthy about his story is, he was the first Black man to make such major achievements in an institution where the white establishment frowned on the elevation and furtherance of Black people. However, his story is even more interesting and makes for a "Lifetime" movie.
By all accounts of his life, Dr. Carson should not have made it this far; according to one of his grammar school teachers. In fact, all the odds were against him. He was raised without a father, his mother didn't know how to read, he had anger issues, but most of all, he was Black in the 1950s and 60s. But what he lacked in gifts, he made up for in determination and perseverance [I love this word]. His mother, being the strong woman she was used to clean homes, in order to put food on the table and pay the bills. And though she couldn't read and didn't have any formal schooling past the third grade, she knew the value of an education. She always instilled in him that he can do and be whatever he wanted to be. With his mother's guidance, a forward thinking teacher that sparked his interest in science and God's graces, Dr. Carson applied himself to his education, his goals of being a doctor and his determination to be the best that he can be.
However, on the road of redemption, he met with some obstacles; one of which was his temper. In one situation, he had an altercation with a classmate [as the story goes], in which he lashed out in anger at the student. In the fit of rage, he picked up a knife and stabbed at the other student. In a miraculous turn of events, the blade of the knife broke in half before connecting with the other boy, and two lives were saved that day. Dr. Carson turned to God's guidance, furthered his education and went on to become the "best" neurosurgeon to be inducted into this privileged institution. Since then, he has received numerous accolades from around the world, but what has been equally impressive is his philanthropic scholarship foundation that he and his wife have established for students who strive for academic excellence and demonstrate a strong commitment to their community. Since its inception, the Carson Scholars Fund has awarded over 3,400 scholarships and has scholars in 26 states.
For Black History Month, I celebrate the life of Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson, Sr. M.D. However, it's the single mothers who have the fortitude to see strong and promising possibilities in their children, that need the celebration. The mothers who have to work one, two, three or even four jobs to bring food home for their family. The mothers, that may not know it all, but know that there is more out there and it can be achieved by anyone. The mothers that give up their lives, their dreams, their freedoms to raise the Dr. Carsons, the President Obamas, the Jay-Zs, the Dr. Kings and more. For Black History Month, we celebrate you, as well as your sons and daughters of our movement!
