Black History Month: Famous 'underdogs' who made a difference

 Rosa Parks - Rosa Parks is honored for civil disobedience. In 1955, she refused to obey the bus driver’s order to give up her seat. The bus was segregated into ‘white’ and ‘black’ sections. Parks was expected to give up her seat on the bus to a ‘white’ person after the white section was filled. She refused which resulted in her arrest.  Frederick Douglass - Frederick Douglass escaped slavery to become known for his oratory skills. At that time, it was against the law to teach slaves to read and write. His master’s wife secretly taught him until she was confronted by her husband. The foundation was planted in Douglass and he continued to learn from his determination to gain knowledge on his own. A subtle type of oppression is not giving opportunities to the oppressed, which Douglass was able to curtail. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - One of the most famous, if not ‘the’ most famous civil rights leader was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In Birmingham, Ala., (1963) Dr. King led a massive protest that brought attention to the plights of racial inequality. This protest caused him to be arrested and placed in jail. Dr. King was a clergyman, activist and leader in the Civil Rights Movement.View the list »
Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

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Black History Month is a time to honor those individuals who made a difference in our American society, against all odds. They rose above the oppression by sheer steadfast determination. This determined ability demonstrates an inner strength most of us are unaware of.

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While some of these individuals became famous for their actions (see list), most went unnoticed. We honor the not-so-famous ‘underdogs’ right along with the ones who gave their lives for what they believed in, equality and civil rights.

Since the time Africans arrived in America in 1619 to the election of Barack Obama as president in 2008, we still strive to be an equal society. With this understanding, both the famous and underdogs individuals’ sacrifices are honored with Black History Month.

As we respect the ones who are famous, we remember the ones who stood up for themselves only to be placed in paupers' graves. Everyone of us can learn from these individuals. We honor them all.

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Additional readings:

Black History Month, the silenced people forgotten

Famous Black Activists

Rosa Parks interview 1995 (VIDEO)

View the list
  •  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - One of the most famous, if not ‘the’ most famous civil rights leader was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In Birmingham, Ala., (1963) Dr. King led a massive protest that brought attention to the plights of racial inequality. This protest caused him to be arrested and placed in jail. Dr. King was a clergyman, activist and leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
  •  Frederick Douglass - Frederick Douglass escaped slavery to become known for his oratory skills. At that time, it was against the law to teach slaves to read and write. His master’s wife secretly taught him until she was confronted by her husband. The foundation was planted in Douglass and he continued to learn from his determination to gain knowledge on his own. A subtle type of oppression is not giving opportunities to the oppressed, which Douglass was able to curtail.
  •  Rosa Parks - Rosa Parks is honored for civil disobedience. In 1955, she refused to obey the bus driver’s order to give up her seat. The bus was segregated into ‘white’ and ‘black’ sections. Parks was expected to give up her seat on the bus to a ‘white’ person after the white section was filled. She refused which resulted in her arrest. 
  •  Jesse Owens - Jesse Owens was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump. He participated in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin where he earned four gold medals. Being on the Olympic team, Owens was ‘allowed’ to stay in the hotels with the others while traveling. The accommodations were segregated at that time so it is assumed Owens had an inner strength to accomplish the feats.
  •  W.E.B. Du Bois  - W.E.B. Du Bois was the first African American to earn a doctorate at Harvard. He was a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. Du Bois was a prominent figure in the advancement for equal rights. He protested against the Jim Crow laws, lynching, suffrage and fought for equality in education /employment.  
View the list
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, Intrapersonal Self-Awareness Examiner

Fran Childress, MSW, has experienced multiple paths in the behavioral field. A former child and gerontology therapist, she has experience and knowledge of child difficulties, relationship issues, and senior barriers. She believes a positive change must start from within a person before a macro...

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