Journey into Black History...Dr. Mae C. Jemison

It is the 6th day of February, and Black History Month has been on our mind, a lot. I believe that there is no need to single out the shortest month of the year to highlight people who have clearly shaped all history - but I am recognizing, after our relocation specifically, all history is not created equal. Our children have embraced our decision to increase our knowledge of history during this month, using it as a catalyst for a more focused dinner conversation. In just a few short days I have learned, they aren't the only ones who are learning.

Dr. Jemison was destined to be an early topic in the month, because I was intent on talking about living legends. Our living legends are people who are alive today and making a difference. Often times when we talk about history, the focus is on the top 5 names that we all should know. (We have also learned that we don't know as much as we thought on that front either.) We are science nuts, and when I thought about celebrating my Soror and a hero, I thought I knew the direction to come. Dr. Jemison is so much more.

Mae C. Jemison blasted into orbit aboard the space shuttle Endeavour, September 12, 1992, the world's first woman of color to go into space and the city of Chicago's first astronaut in U.S. history.

At 16 she graduated from High School, and was encouraged to read and excel in school by her parents. My children were particularly interested in her younger life, and relocation to Chicago - as much as her many achievements. Jemison attended Stanford University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, and fulfilled the requirements for an A.B. in African and Afro-American studies. She completed her medical doctorate at Cornell University. This could have been enough to start a conversation with my children, until we discovered her tremendous commitment to service and giving back. Jemison was a General Practitioner in Los Angeles with the INA/Ross Loos Medical Group, and then spent 2 ½ years as Area Peace Corps medical officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa.

One of 15 selected from 2,000 applicants to NASA, Jemison was selected after the fatal Challenger launch which ceased any new applications to the program. Her resilience to pursue her own path and to explore outer space was consistent throughout her entire life. Applying a second time gave a great lesson that even the best of the best have challenges. I thought I would have talked about the pink and green banner she carried into space, but I spent a lot of time talking about the facts I discovered along with my children. There's so much to know about the heroic giant - a woman of grace.

Honors and awards include induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame; selection as one of the People magazines' 1993 "World's 50 Most Beautiful People"; Johnson Publications Black Achievement Trailblazers Award; the Kilby Science Award; National Medical Association Hall of Fame; selection as a Montgomery Fellow, Dartmouth College; and numerous honorary doctorates. She was the host and technical consultant of the "World of Wonder" series on the Discovery channel, appeared in an episode of Star Trek: the Next Generation, and was the subject of the PBS documentary The New Explorers. She marked our 4th day of Black History month, but reminded me the season isn't for the children or anyone else. February has served as a catalyst, a good reminder, all of our history lessons are not yet learned. And surely, we are unable to teach what we don't know. We celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Jemison!

It's Not Rocket Science

NASA Watch
Space Love Triangle
Nowak Comes Undone
Attempted Murder Charges for NASA's Finest

The titles are endless. The reality quite sad. At a time when we are starved for things to believe in, NASA has become a media spectacle. Instead of utter sadness about the lives that have been irrevocably changed by recent events, we have a media sensation over the space love triangle. Many of those closest to me are asking the question - who do you think got busy in space first? I tell you, the glow of Dr. Mae Jemison going into space shouldn't be anywhere near the quandry of what happens when love in space goes bad.

Astronaut Nowak went into space with dignity. By all accounts she was hyper focused on doing her best, and exceeded at every task set before her. Colleagues have come to her rescue with comments about her support during their personal losses. We know that the training required to become an astronaut is extensive and full of testing from a to z. (Or....quantum physics to organic chemistry...) Yet, with one choice, she has become the latest in a series of playing to the lowest common denominator. Is this really news?

The mother of 3 children, my heart goes out to her family for what has to be a terribly difficult time. There are unspoken victims throughout her alleged crime, not the least of which is the former wife of the astronaut whose affections are at the center of the debate. It can be clearly seen that the woman who got the dose of pepper spay and the experience of being stalked didn't deserve that in the least. All that said - what should the media focus be?

I can understand a more thorough investigation of the psychological tests that are performed before and after any mission. I clearly get the necessity to do damage control for NASA - who at the core has a legacy of adultery that sends images of "the best and brightest" in collision with past notions of tremendous fearless space travelers. There is something dirty and seedy at the core of a sex/murder scandal that just speaks sadness for our country's elite program. All that said - can we focus on what is important?

Lives have been forever changed and shattered as a result of these actions. We can only hope that everyone involved gets the medical support they need. It surely isn't just Nowak that needs the help. Seems as if we should have a screening process that scans good judgment along with everything else. Then, at least in my opinion, let the justice system do its job. With all that we have at hand in our community - surely this case should not lead the evening news for weeks on end. I have rarely heard a news broadcaster ask the real questions. There are children at the core of this torrid controversy. Children and the credibility of a national treasure.

As a little girl I day dreamed about space, the stars and the planets beyond my view. I marveled at the Astronauts and the scientists that worked endless to learn more about the unknown. I remember a special education segment where it talked about "problem solving" in space, and the fact that it was impossible to know everything that would happen on any flight. The possibility of it all was grand. The coverage of this issue has been anything but grand.

It is not rocket science. In a web of adultery, sex, competition, evil and lust - some folks went crazy. No we'll have to see if they were crazy before space or shortly thereafter. The reality is that even rocket scientists are human. This story, played out in cities across America, would be less interesting if the people involved weren't smart, high achievers, national treasures of sorts. The least we can do is redirect media outlets to under - we aren't just interested in the sensational. If we are - aren't we a part of the problem too.
While families crumble and lives forever change, we passively watch human destruction. Maybe psychological tests should be required for us all.