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...."
NOT SURPRISED, I agree with your leading statement of this "so called surprise." I am not one of those convoluted individuals who thinks as you say "...like it's NOT supposed to happen to us..." What Mr. Joe Caprio does not understand is that we are responsible for a lot of "Firsts", however, because society has never really given us credit for our accomplishments, we still fight for equality in every area which provide the reasons why there is a need to mention "First". People of color have long been innovators of Science: Math, Medicine, Biology, and Chemistry. We have also been the creators in the Arts: Music, Writing, Poetry, and Accounting. Today, we are portrayed as lazy, shiftless, and inferior. They did it to Jesus. I am not making a religious distinction, but a distinction that regards the issue of Race. Now to understand this issue one would need to know the ethnic make up of Nazareth. "John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of? ...” It seems that even Jesus was dealing with some ethnic issues in His day. Again, this is not a reference to any belief in Christ; it refers to how the European Jews saw other people of the Jewish culture. For references, please read John 1:43 to John 1:50. The validity of acceptance of Jesus to other Israelites was the reason for his Crucifixion. What I am saying in modern day vernacular, is lynching. I am in no way surprised about Ms. Katie Washington’s achievements, but I am surprised that she is the first African American Valedictorian to come out of Notre Dame. Ms. Washington’s legacy is preceded and matched with scholars of old and contemporaries of today. Her drive to succeed is exemplary and she sits in the midst of many who paved the road, many who match her intellect and innovative spirit. To name a few; IMOTEP the real father of Medicine, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Dubois, George Washington Carver, The Honorable Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Langston Hughes, Colin Powell, Dr Benjamin Carson, , Oprah, Condoleezza Rice, President Barack Obama, Farrah Gray, Ph.D., and shall I go on? It would be the longest post in history if I noted every “first” in African American History. Dr. Farrah Gray said, "...we are the great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren of those who took the greatest fall...” the Glass Ceiling has fallen and as Farrah Gray says, "The Sky Is The Limit...” Success does not always come with popularity but it always comes with sacrifice. Congratulations Katie and I hope that your research will lead to cures for many diseases such as Cancer, RA, and AIDS. All the best!
I'm not shocked about this either, just look at that high academically achieving family she's from. Be nice to multiply families like that all across this country, especially in the ghettos.
I'm so proud of her this is the kind of story I like to hear about. I know her parents are proud and for other young people look it can be done only if you work hard at it.
So many people put the city of Gary, Indiana down but there are so many BRILLIANT people who are natives and you have been added to the list.. Keep up the good work Katie. You inspired me and I am well over 21. God Bless!!!!
congradulations to this young lady, of course. But I would also congradulate Notre Dame. When I attended Herzl Jr. College in Chicago (mid 1950's) very talented, indeed gifted young Blacks had no chance of attending Notre Dame not to mention opportunities to win honors. Then years later, Graciela Olivares, a wonderful friend (now deceased) was the first Hispanic woman to graduate from the Law school, then my niece became a proud graduate of the school and the number of talente minority students on campus has increased exponitially. So, Notre Dame has progressed considerably over the years. Congradulations Ms Washington and congradulations Notre Dame!! Continue the progress and keep up the good work!!
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By: ann on 4/14/2010 4:18PM
Congratulations Katie Washington, See what we can do, if we use our brains the right way.
Reach for the STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: Andrea LaTouche on 4/14/2010 4:36PM
NOT SURPRISED, I agree with your leading statement of this "so called surprise." I am not one of those convoluted individuals who thinks as you say "...like it's NOT supposed to happen to us..." What Mr. Joe Caprio does not understand is that we are responsible for a lot of "Firsts", however, because society has never really given us credit for our accomplishments, we still fight for equality in every area which provide the reasons why there is a need to mention "First". People of color have long been innovators of Science: Math, Medicine, Biology, and Chemistry. We have also been the creators in the Arts: Music, Writing, Poetry, and Accounting. Today, we are portrayed as lazy, shiftless, and inferior. They did it to Jesus. I am not making a religious distinction, but a distinction that regards the issue of Race. Now to understand this issue one would need to know the ethnic make up of Nazareth. "John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of? ...” It seems that even Jesus was dealing with some ethnic issues in His day. Again, this is not a reference to any belief in Christ; it refers to how the European Jews saw other people of the Jewish culture. For references, please read John 1:43 to John 1:50. The validity of acceptance of Jesus to other Israelites was the reason for his Crucifixion. What I am saying in modern day vernacular, is lynching. I am in no way surprised about Ms. Katie Washington’s achievements, but I am surprised that she is the first African American Valedictorian to come out of Notre Dame. Ms. Washington’s legacy is preceded and matched with scholars of old and contemporaries of today. Her drive to succeed is exemplary and she sits in the midst of many who paved the road, many who match her intellect and innovative spirit. To name a few; IMOTEP the real father of Medicine, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Dubois, George Washington Carver, The Honorable Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Langston Hughes, Colin Powell, Dr Benjamin Carson, , Oprah, Condoleezza Rice, President Barack Obama, Farrah Gray, Ph.D., and shall I go on? It would be the longest post in history if I noted every “first” in African American History. Dr. Farrah Gray said, "...we are the great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren of those who took the greatest fall...” the Glass Ceiling has fallen and as Farrah Gray says, "The Sky Is The Limit...” Success does not always come with popularity but it always comes with sacrifice. Congratulations Katie and I hope that your research will lead to cures for many diseases such as Cancer, RA, and AIDS. All the best!
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By: Ronnie B on 4/14/2010 4:40PM
Katie has my highest commendation and congratulations for her outstanding acievement.
She is as beautiful as she is intellegent.
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By: Melvin on 4/14/2010 4:41PM
I'm not shocked about this either, just look at that high academically achieving family she's from. Be nice to multiply families like that all across this country, especially in the ghettos.
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By: Mia Powell on 4/14/2010 5:40PM
I'm so proud of her this is the kind of story I like to hear about. I know her parents are proud and for other young people look it can be done only if you work hard at it.
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By: Zoe Moon on 4/14/2010 6:04PM
I am so happy for you. CONGRATULATIONS! Keep achieving and dreaming big.
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By: sherri on 4/14/2010 6:15PM
Congratulations to my hometown young lady!
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By: sherri on 4/14/2010 6:17PM
So many people put the city of Gary, Indiana down but there are so many BRILLIANT people who are natives and you have been added to the list.. Keep up the good work Katie. You inspired me and I am well over 21. God Bless!!!!
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By: fathead on 4/14/2010 6:20PM
gettem girl...
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By: fnj130 on 4/14/2010 6:39PM
congradulations to this young lady, of course. But I would also congradulate Notre Dame. When I attended Herzl Jr. College in Chicago (mid 1950's) very talented, indeed gifted young Blacks had no chance of attending Notre Dame not to mention opportunities to win honors. Then years later, Graciela Olivares, a wonderful friend (now deceased) was the first Hispanic woman to graduate from the Law school, then my niece became a proud graduate of the school and the number of talente minority students on campus has increased exponitially. So, Notre Dame has progressed considerably over the years. Congradulations Ms Washington and congradulations Notre Dame!! Continue the progress and keep up the good work!!
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