A step for racial equality in education will be taken when a 21-year-old black woman becomes the first valedictorian at the University of Notre Dame this spring.
University officials say they don't keep such records of achievement by race but don't recall ever having a black valedictorian at the school. Therefore, Katie Washington, a Gary, Ind., native and biology major, will get that distinction next month.
Washington has been accepted to five schools but plans to pursue a joint M.D./Ph.D at Johns Hopkins University.
It is great that Washington has been able to to go through school with her 4.0 GPA and follow in the footsteps of her father, who is a doctor, and mother and sisters, who are nurses.
The cynical part of my brain, though, can't wait for the day when we don't have to proclaim every "first" as a racial milestone. It would be nice if, as a society, we weren't surprised that a young black woman of high intellect and drive could represent the best her university has to offer academically.
But then the realistic part of my brain kicks in and says that we still have to note every "first' as long as people are judged by their skin color and ethnicity in this country.
We as a society are constantly beat down by images of black inferiority, and, no, we don't always achieve like we should but no people, no matter the skin color, are perfect.
We spend so much time examining, reviewing, talking and passing on stories about folks who act the fool. Unfortunately, that's human nature, like watching a car crash.
On the other hand, we spend too little time talking about black people who do good and great things like Washington.
So until the scales are a little more balanced, let's celebrate Katie Washington and all those like her who counter the popular image of black people as constantly underachieving.
Anthony Hopkins was a God-fearing Christian. As he traveled throughout the rural South, preaching the word of the Lord, he would always have his Bible in tow. Folks who would gather to hear him preach stood in awe. Many even referred to him as a "prophet." This preacher did more than spread the Holy word, though. Little did Hopkins' followers know that he was a possible murderer, rapist and child molester.
Anthony Hopkins was a God-fearing Christian. As he traveled throughout the rural South, preaching the word of the Lord, he would always have his Bible in tow. Folks who would gather to hear him preach stood in awe. Many even referred to him as a "prophet." This preacher did more than spread the Holy word, though. Little did Hopkins' followers know that he was a possible murderer, rapist and child molester.
Four days after Haiti's earthquake, infant Jenny was rescued from the rubble and pulled from the arms of a dead woman. The baby was brought to the University of Miami medical center in terrible condition, and doctors did not expect her to survive, even though doctors called her "a miracle." Yesterday, Jenny was reunited with her parents, who had believed she was dead.
R&B diva Toni Braxton is neck deep in financial problems yet again. Braxton now faces a lien from the IRS, and her bankers are claiming she is behind in mortgage and loan payments.
Three teenage boys and two men, who allegedly gang raped a 7-year-old Trenton, N.J., girl, who had been sold to them by her 15-year-old sister at a party, were arrested and charged Saturday night.
Ninety-nine-year-old World War II veteran Akasease Kofi Boakye Yiadom has just graduated from Presbyterian University College's business school in Ghana. He enrolled when he was 96.
Sonia Martinez, who worked for TV personality and actor Arsenio Hall for 11 years, filed a lawsuit last Friday after being fired upon returning from an injury-related absence. Martinez claims that not only was she unjustly fired, but that she was never given fair overtime wages for her double-duty tasks.
"Reginald Thomas is the type of father that all men, especially black men, should try to emulate. Thomas was a building superintendent in Chicago who lost his job and the apartment that came with it. He and his 8-year-old son, Reggie Jr., ended up in a homeless shelter while he tried to find a new job and apartment for them...."
I agree with the comment about being the "first". I can't wait to that stigma is dropped from society. Most of everything we used and operate today is invented by African Americans. Why are our counterparts in shock about this news? Moreover, why we are in a state of awe about it too?
I am so so so proud of Katie. I can't hold back the tears. Judging from the short film clip, she also has loads of personality...a great combination! I recieved my MS in physics from the University of Md., which gives me enough insight to know this was one gigantic achievement. Congrats to Katie...and her parents!
GOD BLESS GIRL!! I'M PROUD OF YOU AND DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU. I LOVE IT WHEN "OUR" KIDS ARE PUSHING IT! I LOVE IT WHEN ALL CHILDREN SUCCEED AT ANYTHING THAT THEY DO...BUT ESPECIALLY OURS.PLEASE KNOW THAT... THE "SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT" GO BEYOND GIRL! GO BEYOND!! AGAIN..GOD BLESS!
Congratulations Katie Washington.What a wonderful story. To be a first!It took a lot of hard work and it paid off.No matter what anyone says, education is the key to success in this world.To have a list of excuses for not hitting the books is not a positive thought especially when you have children.People in other countries have passed us in education decades ago.Children waiting in line to get in broken down schools or learning in secret, behind closed doors. In some countries,girls do not get a formal education.So good luck to you Miss Washington. You are also a"first" to meet the President of these United States.Oh HE is African American and a FIRST!!!
I'm always impressed when someone goes for TWO terminal degrees: an M.D. and a Ph.D. That takes an incredible amount of diligence...kudos to Ms. Washington.
I agree with you that there are NO excuses for not getting an education even if you have graduated or left elementary or high school early.There are to many young people out there who can not read, write or formulate a sentence.If you are 18yrs. and can't fill out a job application,use an ATM,read a stop sign,count money(just to name a few),you are way behind in the real world which requires people to know how to communicate.There are too many adult education programs and concerned people out there where a person can learn to read and write.We must be our "African American" selves,get unignorant,and learn about the world other than who's with whom in the hotel and "minding someone elses business" crap out there!
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Comments: (86)
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By: MissLJ on 4/14/2010 10:59AM
I love it,good job Miss Washington!!
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By: LP on 4/14/2010 11:05AM
CONGRATULATIONS, Katie! I'm not even surprised considering how hard you've worked all your life!
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By: 20th & Soho on 4/14/2010 11:23AM
I agree with the comment about being the "first". I can't wait to that stigma is dropped from society. Most of everything we used and operate today is invented by African Americans. Why are our counterparts in shock about this news? Moreover, why we are in a state of awe about it too?
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By: Hurley Davis on 4/14/2010 11:42AM
I am so so so proud of Katie. I can't hold back the tears. Judging from the short film clip, she also has loads of personality...a great combination! I recieved my MS in physics from the University of Md., which gives me enough insight to know this was one gigantic achievement. Congrats to Katie...and her parents!
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By: THEPROUDFAMILY on 4/14/2010 11:53AM
GOD BLESS GIRL!! I'M PROUD OF YOU AND DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU. I LOVE IT WHEN "OUR" KIDS ARE PUSHING IT!
I LOVE IT WHEN ALL CHILDREN SUCCEED AT ANYTHING THAT THEY DO...BUT ESPECIALLY OURS.PLEASE KNOW THAT... THE "SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT" GO BEYOND GIRL! GO BEYOND!! AGAIN..GOD BLESS!
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By: bee on 4/14/2010 12:31PM
I am so proud of you and may your future be very prosperous. I love this story.
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By: Cheryl on 4/18/2010 5:03PM
Congratulations Katie Washington.What a wonderful story. To be a first!It took a lot of hard work and it paid off.No matter what anyone says, education is the key to success in this world.To have a list of excuses for not hitting the books is not a positive thought especially when you have children.People in other countries have passed us in education decades ago.Children waiting in line to get in broken down schools or learning in secret, behind closed doors. In some countries,girls do not get a formal education.So good luck to you Miss Washington. You are also a"first" to meet the President of these United States.Oh HE is African American and a FIRST!!!
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By: mister O on 4/14/2010 2:18PM
I'm always impressed when someone goes for TWO terminal degrees: an M.D. and a Ph.D. That takes an incredible amount of diligence...kudos to Ms. Washington.
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By: Cheryl on 4/14/2010 2:44PM
I agree with you that there are NO excuses for not getting an education even if you have graduated or left elementary or high school early.There are to many young people out there who can not read, write or formulate a sentence.If you are 18yrs. and can't fill out a job application,use an ATM,read a stop sign,count money(just to name a few),you are way behind in the real world which requires people to know how to communicate.There are too many adult education programs and concerned people out there where a person can learn to read and write.We must be our "African American" selves,get unignorant,and learn about the world other than who's with whom in the hotel and "minding someone elses business" crap out there!
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By: carol on 4/14/2010 4:18PM
Katie best wishes and many more congratulations
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