1985
	Dr. Edith Irby Jones (first black student admitted to the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1948) became the first woman president of the National Medical Association.

1986

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.   The man who was called the great communicator failed to act on the side of human rights. Why?

1985

Howard Cosell loved by many, and disliked by just as many for what was considered an abrasive style of reporting passed away. He often "told it like it was" and not as one wanted it to be. His knowledge of the English language was showcased on Monday Night Football. Howard came to prominence upon supporting (a very unpopular stand) Muhammad Ali’s refusal to enter the Armed Service after being drafted during the Vietnam War. Ali’s position was that he would not fight or kill the Viet Cong because of his Moslem faith.

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.

1986: Reaction to Ronald Reagans decision to do nothing.

CongressmanWilliam 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.

1987
	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.

1987
	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.

1988
	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.

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.     

The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center opens to the public in Wiberforce, Ohio.                   

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.

    

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.