Katherine Johnson: A black woman with brains and skill!

Today we celebrate the life of Katherine Johnson. She is an African-American physicist, space scientist, and mathematician. She has contributed to America’s aeronautics and space programs with the early application of digital electronic computers at NASA. Her bravery and determination helped pave the way for African-American women in technical fields. Everyday is Black History.

A young Katherine Johnson.

Katherine Johnson was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. From a young age, Johnson enjoyed mathematics and could easily solve mathematical equations. After moving to Institute, West Virginia, she attended West Virginia State High School and graduated from high school at age fourteen. Johnson received her B.S. degree in French and mathematics in 1932 from West Virginia State University (formerly West Virginia State College). At that time, Dr. W.W. Schiefflin Claytor, the third African American to earn a Ph.D. degree in mathematics, created a special course in analytic geometry specifically for Johnson. In 1940, she attended West Virginia University to obtain a graduate degree. Johnson was one of the first African Americans to enroll in the mathematics program. However, family issues kept her from completing the required courses. After college, Johnson began teaching in elementary and high schools in Virginia and West Virginia.

West Virginia State University, where Katherine Johnson Attended College in the early 1930s; At that time, it was an all black college.

In June 1953, Katherine was contracted as a research mathematician at the Langley Research Center… At first she worked in a pool of women performing math calculations. Katherine has referred to the women in the pool as virtual “computers who wore skirts.” Their main job was to read the data from the black boxes of planes and carry out other precise mathematical tasks. Then one day, Katherine (and a colleague) were temporarily assigned to help the all-male flight research team. Katherine’s knowledge of analytic geometry helped make quick allies of male bosses and colleagues to the extent that, they forgot to return me to the pool. Johnson was still exposed to racial and genders barriers but ignored them. She was assertive, and asked to be included in editorial meetings. Women were never in editorial meetings, however her persuasion got her in, for she expressed her knowledge of the work and that she belonged there.

A young Katherine Johnson working at NASA.

At NASA, Johnson started work in the all-male Flight Mechanics Branch and later moved to the Spacecraft Controls Branch. She calculated the trajectory for the space flight of Alan Shepard, the first American in space.

In 1959 and the launch window for his 1961 Mercury mission. She plotted backup navigational charts for astronauts in case of electronic failures. In 1962, when NASA used computers for the first time to calculate John Glenn’s orbit around Earth, officials called on her to verify the computer’s numbers. Ms. Johnson later worked directly with real computers. Her ability and reputation for accuracy helped to establish confidence in the new technology. She calculated the trajectory for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon. Later in her career, she worked on the Space Shuttle program, the Earth Resources Satellite and on plans for a mission to Mars. In 1970 the Apollo 13 was in space and the ship was damaged. Johnson’s calculations helped bring the astronauts back to safety.

The Damaged Apollo 13 Service Module in Space. Sector 4 Panel on the Right Side of the Craft Has Been Completely Blown Off. The astronauts where stuck in space. Katherine Johnson’s Trajectory Calculations Helped Bring the Apollo 13 Astronauts Safely Back to Earth in 1970

Johnson has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, courage, skills and work. These awards include a Honorary Doctorate of Science from Old Dominion University and another from Capitol College, She also received a Honorary Doctor of Laws, from SUNY Farmingdale. Johnson has received the NASA Langley Research Center Special Achievement Award five times. She also gained the Apollo Group Achievement Award, which included one of only 300 flags flown to the moon on board the Apollo 11, and many more.

Katherine Johnson meeting Claflin University AstroCHEM students.

Katherine Johnson is truly a visionary trailblazer. Her skill, perseverance and courage helped revolutionize the early space technology, concepts and practices. She has helped pave the way for so many black women in neuroscience, psychics, and mathematics and space.

Katherine Johnson (L) and Mae Jemison(R), first black woman in space.

She is a black woman who knows her worth for she did not allow the barriers of her gender or race to stop her from rising in her field. Each opportunity she was given she stamped her skill, knowledge and hard work, making her a name not to be forgotten. She made sure she was noticed and gained advancement because of it. Black women, Katherine Johnson is another example of the greatness we black women have. We have the power to deny our societal placement from depriving us of success. Black women fight it as Katherine Johnson has. Fight against the odds of inferiority, and degradation. We have the strength needed to succeed become great, revolutionize and create change. Tap into it black women. It begins with the will power within. Seize it and succeed. ~Know Your Worth~ -M. Millie

Katherine Johnson with former astronaut Leland Melvin.

Watch an interview with Katherine Johnson here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8gJqKyIGhE

Black Heroics are Newsworthy?! Nope, Black Negativity is!

It never ceases to amaze me how the crimes, violence, buffoonery and stereotypical acts committed by African Americans get broadcasted and disseminated rapidly. However, the great acts of bravery, triumph, heroics, and success shown by African Americans hardly gets into the news and is often unknown. Why? Because Media is controlled by those who only want to portray a negative image of us.

I go into detail on media control in my post here https://blackwomenwhoknowtheirworth.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/the-portrayal/

Antoinette Tuff

Antoinette Tuff is a bookkeeper at the  Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Decatur,Georgia. Her fast thinking and bravery prevented a school shooting from happening. Without her quick and courageous actions another Sandy Hook incident could have occurred, and many children’s lives could have been lost.

On Tuesday, Michael Brandon Hill, 20, slipped into the school behind someone who was buzzed in. He entered, Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy, an elementary school from pre- kindergarten to fifth grade armed with an AK- 47 and other weapons.

Michael Brandon Hill, school shooter.

Hill then went into the administration office and demanded to get near the children. Tuff refused to allow him near the kids. Hill then told Tuff that he was planning to die and wanted to get the news there. Tuff convinced him to stop his mission of death and give up his weapon by talking to him.

In an interview with Diane Sawyer Tuff recalls that “He had a look on him that he was willing to kill.” “He said that he didn’t have any reason to live and that he knew he was going to die today.” “I knew that if he got out that door he was gonna kill everybody.”

Tuff calmed Hill down by telling him about the problems in her life. She is heard on 911 tapes telling Hill “Don’t feel bad, baby.” “My husband just left me after 33 years…I’ve got a son that’s multiple disabled.”  “It’s all going to be well.”

She then relayed to the 911 operator she was talking to for over 20 minutes, that “He said he don’t care if he dies, he don’t have nothing to live for. He said he’s not mentally stable.”

Tuff talked to and calmed Hill down, while informing the 911 operator of his actions. Talking to Hill enabled police to safely evacuate  students and teachers from the building. Outside students and teachers boarded school buses that took them to a nearby Wal-Mart, where they could meet their families.

Children boarding the buses to Wal-Mart.

Tuff’s calming of Hill’s rage continued as she asked him to put his weapon and backpack on the ground. He complied after a short shoot out with the police, where there were no casualties.

This can be attributed to the quick and fearless thinking of Antoinette Tuff. Authorities later revealed that Hill was carrying 500 rounds of ammunition. He could have killed many innocent lives, if it was not for Hill and her bravery.

Hill with a gun.

This story has not been widely spread. Sure there are a few articles written about it. However, it will NEVER, get the mass dissemination throughout the country the way negative news about African Americans does.

There are a few reasons why this is so. Besides the negative portrayal of African Americans in media, there is also the people in the situation. You have a black woman who rescued black children from a white perpetrator. Lets examine this.

Black women are one of the most, if not the most discriminated against oppressed people. Our lives are plagued with a double dose of racism and sexism. Our weakness, and ability to be used is perpetuated in media, television, movies and our daily encounters. where we have to let people know…. “I AM NOT that F*C*ING stereotype. Yes, black women we have all been through it.

Black children are not cared about in America. We live in a country where we make up less than half of the population., but over 50% of our children go missing without follow up. Our children are killed without any reports, or police work done to find them. It is just believed and accepted that black children go missing and it is okay. SMDH! Now, you know I do not believe in statistics, but having a few friends who work in the police department and doing research of my own, I know that most black children missing are not found.

Jordan Davis(R) and Trayvon Martin(L). Both teens were unarmed, but killed anyway.

Our children are killed and it is deemed okay and acceptable in the legal system. The lives of black children mean nothing to America. Unless… Unless black children are being saved by some amazing good ole white person who has welcomed the world of intellect and prosperity into the lives of less fortunate urban children. America always loves a good charity story where whites are the ones giving back, taking a pay cut, adopting and traveling to 3rd world countries. You know the speal of white charity, and the “oh I help minorities I do not uphold white supremacy”, stuff. Its kind of similar to the “I have black friends, I am not racist,” statement. You see, a part of white supremacy is receiving gratifaction that the lives of people you deem inferior can only have elevation in their lives, if you are in it and help them. As well  the fact that minorities can only succeed so far, without their help.

Angelina Jolie and her adopted African daughter Zahara.

Then, there’s the fact that the shooter was a white man. This is an image that is often attributed to school shooters. However, his gender and race guarantees him the usual cop outs. He “had a troubled life.” “He suffers from mental disorders” “He has had a lot of emotional difficulty.” “He had a horrible childhood.” These scenarios are experienced by numerous black men and women, however we can never use these phrases as copouts. We are termed as violent, gangsters, whores, victimizers, etc.

Believe it family. The language and actions change depending on the gender and race of the characters involved. I say this all to express that our depiction is controlled by those who want us to look and be categorized as stereotypical, violent driven buffoons, who are in need of help and guidance by white people. That is how it always is. How many movies, ads, shows, celebrities push this agenda. Thats it. It is an agenda. Open your eyes and see it.

The movie “The Help,” where a nice white person who cares about black people helps them out and elevates their troubles. SMH!

I applaud Antoinette Tuff and her actions of bravery. She is a resounding message that we black people, specifically black women are not the depiction of negativity that surround us. We are courageous, powerful and capable. We can accomplish and do great things without charity. Sister Tuff, I am giving your time to shine with this article. I am implanting your name and image in the minds of my readers and others, for we should all know about amazing women like you who everyday change the lives of others, and do great things.

You know thats right, black women.

Family, we are all like Antoinette Tuff. We do not have to fulfill the negative portrayal that is spread of us. We fulfill our destines, and demonstrate who we are. Do not let the perpetuation be you, be the one who disproves the lies at every turn. -M. Millie

Antionette Tuff

From Homsexuality to Black Women on Welfare: Lee Daniels degradation of black women!

I was never going to see the Butler movie by Lee Daniels. I get tired of seeing us depicted in movies as stereotypical characters who are wholesome and good, but help white people discover themselves and become better, while we serve them in servitude. However, I am very appalled to the recent words of the film’s director Lee Daniels.

In an interview with Larry King, Daniels was expressing his experience growing up as an African-American gay man. The conversation went South. View his interview here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrr7izsQa-Q

He then started describing how he walked into a gay mens’ health crisis center in New York City. He states “I expected to see a room full of gay men, but there are nothing but women that are there – black women with kids, I thought I had walked into the welfare office, but they service black women with AIDS, why?”

“Because black men can’t come out. Why? Because you simply can’t do it. Your family says it, your church says it, your teachers say it, your parents say it, your friends say it, your work says it. And so you’re living on this DL thing and you’re infecting black women.”

Although I understand Daniels’ sentiment with black men infecting black women with HIV/AIDS, why compare black women in a clinic, treating themselves and their children to black women being in a welfare office. There is no comparison.

One thing that pisses me off with welfare is that it is believed that we African-Americans, especially black women, are on welfare. Yes, I know statistics will tell you one thing. But, what are statistics? Statistics are numbers generated by people in power to gear the greater population into believing stereotypes, ideas, and garner certain beliefs about different groups of people, medicine, trends etc. That is the real definition of statistics. I mean who are participating in these surveys and tests? Have you ever been called up? Think about it.

Also, the people who use up welfare the most are Latinos, Jews and Europeans. Yes, I said it. It is so much easier for these groups of people to get welfare than it is for us. Jews get their welfare and other aids in the synagogue. Who else has this privilege. Not African Americans! Latinos and Europeans come here aided by their people in offices, and higher positions who pull down the curtains of difficulty and make it easier for them to get welfare. I do not say this to be bitter. These groups of people are organized and unify to help each other gain resources and opportunities. That is a beautiful thing. That is something that is definitely lacking in the black community. However, I say this because the hype should not be believed that we African Americans, specifically black women possess more welfare than anyone else. I know black women who have had five kids, and no job, but due to the difficulty of obtaining welfare have not been able to gain it. Thankfully she is working now. Family, statistics are not all true. They are made up to control your thinking and beliefs. V for Vendetta anyone. That was a great movie. If you have not seen it, see it. It discusses how a lot of corruption and beliefs are created.

Back to it…

I am tired of black men stomping on black. Yes, Daniels made a point about how homosexuality is different in African-American culture. He also sheds light on the struggle, homosexual black men experience. However, why try to highlight your struggle as a minority-oppressed person by bringing down another group of minority oppressed people, black women? It makes no sense and diffuses the positivity he was trying to highlight in his interview. We black women have NOTHING! Let me repeat NOTHING to do with a black mans struggle growing up gay.

We black women are not a stomping ground. We should not be used so easily as a punching bag to make a point, no matter how positive the point may be. I will not, and do not support anyone black or otherwise that seeks to benefit from the degradation of black women. None of us should. Lee Daniels is another African-American man, who unfortunately instead of trying to uplift ALL of his people, steps on those who have supported on him. We black women need to demand more, and hit them where it hurts. Deny them from flourishing with our economic power. Support those who support you and this man does not support us. –M. Millie