Today In Black History
Whitney M. Young, Jr., Civil Rights Activist and former Director of the National Urban League
Issue #570 Today In Black History, Wednesday, April 17, 2024
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Today’s Black History WOW!
Whitney M. Young, Jr. was born on July 31, 1921, in Shelby County, Kentucky. Young excelled academically and went on to graduate from Kentucky State University in 1941.
Young's early career was marked by his commitment to social work and community service. He worked as a social worker in various cities across the United States, advocating for improved housing, education, and healthcare for underserved communities. In 1961, Young was appointed as the executive director of the National Urban League, a position he held until his untimely death in 1971.
During his time at the National Urban League, Young became known for his pragmatic approach to civil rights activism. He believed in working within the system to effect change, forging alliances with business leaders and politicians to advance the cause of equality. Young was a key figure in the civil rights movement, working alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders to push for desegregation and equal rights for African Americans.
One of Young's most notable accomplishments was his role in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. He played a crucial part in organizing the event and delivering a powerful speech that called for economic justice and equal opportunities for all Americans. Young's efforts helped to highlight the link between racial equality and economic empowerment.
In addition to his work with the National Urban League, Young served on numerous government committees and advisory boards, advocating for policies that would benefit African Americans and other marginalized communities. He was a tireless advocate for social change, using his platform to raise awareness of issues such as poverty, unemployment, and housing discrimination.
Young's work was considered instrumental in breaking down the barriers of segregation and inequality that held back African Americans.
On March 11, 1971, Whitney M. Young, Jr. drowned while swimming with friends in Lagos, Nigeria, where he was attending a conference sponsored by the African-American Institute. President Richard Nixon sent a plane to Nigeria to collect Young's body and traveled to Kentucky to deliver the eulogy at Young's funeral.
Today In Black History
In 1688, Francis Daniel Pastorius presented the 1st formal written protest against African American slavery in the English Colonies: “Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery.”
In 1941, Dr. Robert Weaver was named Director of the Office of Production Management, charged with integrating Blacks into the National Defense Program.
In 1941, the bus companies of New York City agreed to hire Black drivers and mechanics after a four-week boycott.
In 1946, Jackie Robinson debuted as the 2nd baseman for the Montreal Royals.
In 1955, James B. Parsons was named the Chief Judge of the Federal District in Chicago, becoming the first Black person to hold that position.
In 1966, Bill Russell became the first Black to coach an established professional athletic team when he was named the coach of the Boston Celtics basketball team.
In 1977, author Alex Haley was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Literature for his novel “Roots.”
In 1980, Zimbabwe (formerly known as Southern Rhodesia) gained its independence from the United Kingdom.
In 1983, author Alice Walker was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Literature for her novel “The Color Purple.” Ten days later the novel won the American Book Award for fiction.
In 2018, “Black Panther” became the first film shown in commercial cinema in 35 years in Saudi Arabia.
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