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1986
After 55 trips into space over a 25 year span by American Astronauts, NASA and those who saw the launch on television could not believe their eyes. The $1.2 billion Challenger exploded within 73 seconds after lift off. It would have been the shuttles tenth flight into space. On board were 3 white men, two women, a Hawaiian of Japanese descent and Ronald McNair an African American Physicist.
NASA analyst reported seeing an orange glow flickering between the shuttle’s belly and the adjacent external tank, milliseconds later they saw fire…and then a fireball that completely surrounded and began to disintegrate the shuttle.
Thirty-six year old Ronald McNair, who as a young boy attended segregated schools in his home town of Lake City, South Carolina became the second black man in space after completing a successful flight aboard the same shuttle in 1984.
Along with McNair, Commander Dick Scobee, Pilot Michael Smith, Electrical Engineers Gregory Jarvis, and Judith Resnik, Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher and the first civilian to attempt traveling in space, and Aerospace Engineer Ellison Onizuka will be remembered as Americas resolve to conquer the unknown outside the earth’s atmosphere.
In a telling example of his administration inability to deal effectively with any crisis involving people of color, Ronald Reagan gave a speech outlining the United States policy toward South Africa’s apartheid practices. The American people, Congress, and members of his own administration wanted additional sanctions placed on the South Africa regime. This would force them to share power with its black majority. Reagan offered nothing new, only a reaffirmation of his policy of constructive engagement which consisted of trying to convince them that its the right thing to do.
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an outspoken opponent of apartheid, and defender of human rights called the speech "nauseating" and further stated "the west, for my part, can go to hell."
Congressman William Gray, Democrat-Pennsylvania, an African American and Chairman of the House Budget Committee called the U.S. and Britain "co-guarantors of Apartheid". He went on to say, "without economic sanctions, without pressure, without increasing the cost of apartheid there is no reason for South Africa to dismantle apartheid."
1987
The citizens of Hartford, Conn. elected Carrie Saxon Perry as major, making her the first African American woman to hold a mayoral office in a large city. There are 424,165 black-owned businesses representing 3.1% of all U.S. commerce. Total receipts are reported to amount to $19.8 billion.
Ronald Reagan nominated Robert Bork for the U.S. Supreme Court setting off a wave of protest from opponents who labeled the nominee a right wing zealot. Mr. Bork’s name was eventually withdrawn after the Reagan administration realized the their pick would not pass the confirmation process.
Noted novelist James Baldwin died of stomach cancer in December. He was 63 and lived in Paris, France for the last 40 years of his life.
Mississippi Burning is a powerful film depicting the FBI investigation of three civil rights worker murdered in 1964. Talented actor Gene Hackman plays the lead agent. Actor Forrest Whitaker did a masterful job of playing Charlie Parker, genies of modern jazz in the Clint Eastwood directed film Bird.
1988
Jesse Jackson
sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination for the second time. This time he came in second, receiving 6.6 million votes (92% of the black vote with 12% of whites) and winning 30 percent of the delegates. This enabled him to become a player in national politics.Michael Jackson became the highest paid entertainer by earning $60 million. The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center opens to the public in Wiberforce, Ohio.
Florence Griffith Joyner became the first woman in 40 years to win 3 gold and a silver medal at one Olympics. The gold’s came in the 100 & 200-meter relay. Jackie Joyner-Kersee shined as "the worlds greatest woman athlete" by setting a world record in the heptathlan. She was the overall winner in the seven-event endurance test that included 100-meter hurdles, high jump, 200-meter dash, 800-meter run, javelin toss, long jump and shot put. She also was a gold medal for the long jump competition.
1989
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. is the first African American physician appointed to a cabinet post as he became Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ronald H. Brown was named Chairman of the Democratic Party.
Colen Powell was selected as the Chairman of the Joint Chefs of Staff becoming the first African American to hold the post.
Bill White was named President of baseballs National League. Art Shell becomes the first black Head Football Coach in the National Football League
President George Bush tried to distance himself from Ronald Reagan by stating in his Inaugural address "we cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than he found it…in all things, generosity". Nice words, but time will tell if they are just words written by a speechwriter. The country wants to know…what does this man really think and want to accomplish. Everyone is aware that Mr. Bush has the ability to say the right thing for whatever audience he might be addressing at the time.
1990
Saddam Hussein flexed his military muscle by invading his little oil rich neighbor, Kuwait. Moscow joined the U.S. and other nations demanding an immediate retreat by the Iraq forces.
Nelson Mandela, imprison for the last 27 years in Johannesburg, South Africa was set free.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival kicks off its 21 year by showcasing B.B. King, Linda Ronstadt, Gay Burton, Ornette Coleman, Ramsey Lewis, and the home grown Neville Brothers with Aron Neville. The event, complete with jambalaya, crawfish pie, gumbo, and red beans and rice served will last ten days.
Times…they are a changing. Presently, 1 out of ever 4 Americans is nonwhite. It’s predicted that Asians will increase by 22%, Hispanics by 21%, African Americans, 12%, and whites by 2%.
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