October 13, 2008

Manic Monday: Moon

The theme for this week's Manic Monday meme is 'Moon'. Villagers know that I use this weekly meme to explore some aspect of African American history or culture.

Did you know that there are 15 past, current and future African American astronauts?

Many villagers think that Guion Bluford was the first Black astronaut. That is wrong. Though Bluford was the first African American to enter space, he was not the first African American astronaut. That distinction belongs to Robert H. Lawrence Jr., who became an astronaut on June 10, 1967. Tragically, Lawrence never made it into space. A short time later, he was killed when his plane crashed during a training flight.

Other notable African Americans in the space program include Bernard A. Harris Jr., the first African American to walk in space, and Mae C. Jamison, the first African American woman in space.

No Black astronaut ever went on a mission to the moon. Things might have been different if rampant discrimination in the space program didn't spell doom for NASSA, the Negro American Society of Space Astronauts.

What?

You haven't heard about the old Negro Space Program? Lucky for you ... we have a video documentary on a little-known aspect of American history. Check it out!




10 comments:

SjP said...

Villager, and let's not forget Ronald McNair who on Challenger on that fateful January 1986 day.

Levois said...

LOL! This is what I call a bait and switch. It went from serious to comical. I've seen that vid before. Very funny.

Unknown said...

Sojourner - Ronald McNair. May he rest in peace...

Levois - I had never seen the video before. It took me awhile to realize that they were joking...

maryt/theteach said...

Damn, Wayne, that's a great video! LOL! Thanks for posting that!

anthonynorth said...

Great post. Especially the video :-)

DNLee said...

That's Bookman from Goodtimes

DNLee said...

Thanks Villager. I wasn't sure what I would blog about until I saw your posting.

Thanks for the starter.

Durward Discussion said...

What a brilliant parody of all the rather frequently self important PBS documentaries. Not only well done, but with a real history lesson about endemic racism through satire.

Unknown said...

DN Lee - Bookman!? I gotta go review it again. It's nice to see Bookman (by any other name) still working (smile)...

Unknown said...

Jamie - It is an excellent parody. I'm glad I was able to share it with villagers here on this blog...