African-American History

Presently, as in the past, lawyers, politicians and ministers lead the many battles African Americans continue to fight in this country. In the future, the greatest problem for African-Americans will be the lack of or the lack of access to information, for the "next revolution will not be televised," it will occur via the Internet. Therefore, African-American scientists and engineers must play a more integral role in the discussion and determination of any national agenda for Black America. More so than ever, engineers must be well versed in subjects beyond their technical area and enter nontraditional jobs and posts where understanding and employing technology will transform the world. Engineers must take leadership roles in the community, for we have seen and created the future, and it is NOW!

The Burden!

Whether one recognizes it or not, there is a "cultural tax" for being a Black professional. This tax may manifest itself as heavy committee work on the job, as excess work to destroy "affirmative action" stereotypes, or as substantial community service in an effort to remain attached to or give something back to the community. Regardless, there is a tax borne by Black professionals that does more harm psychologically than it does monetarily.

The Black professional has always struggled with the duality's that race introduces to his daily life. However, the duality cannot be escaped, for America, and especially Corporate America, is not blind. When one strips himself of race and ethnicity, racism flourishes and grows. Great minds are denied access to resources necessary to make the discoveries of tomorrow.

How many Imhoteps or Einsteins possess menial jobs because access to quality education was not a choice in their community. How many Black owned high-flying technology companies like Netscape and Yahoo could have been created, if access to capital was equally available in this country? How many senior level executive managers would there be in Corporate America if there was no glass ceiling? W.E.B. Dubois was a prophet when he wrote that the problem of the color line will occupy America in the 21st century.

With such a high tax to pay, many in the Black community have achieved, and their accomplishments are the headlights for the engineer to enter the foggy atmosphere of the 21st century. Reginald Lewis purchased Beatrice Foods. Robert Johnson brought the Black Entertainment network to Wall Street. Dr. Ron McNair took the National Society of Engineers to space. Now, someone must boldly lead us into cyberspace. The burden is that the mainstream is polluted, and it is the responsibility of Black engineers to not only swim in it, but to decontaminate it for all those who may follow. Texaco is paying a very small price for its pollution.

The Challenge!

Regardless of the nurturing and edification one may receive in life, the decision to challenge the status quo is ultimately that of a person. Socioeconomic and cultural factors influence such decisions, but individual responsibility must outweigh all extenuation's that may be derived from the harsh conditions of living in poverty, growing up "disadvantaged."

For the practicing engineer, there exists the possibility of social and cultural isolation on the job. In an attempt to explain the challenge faced by Black engineers, consider the stress and burdens of work as the heat experienced on any humid summer day. Every day for the Black engineer the HEAT is on. The question is, how are you going to respond?

Practically, one cannot readily define heat, but it is present in all dynamic systems. In the dynamic system of life, heat is related to a certain numerical scale called temperature. At home, a thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the surroundings; a thermostat is used to set the temperature of the surroundings. In the next century, African-American engineers will have to decide to be thermostats rather than thermometers.

A thermometer is a passive device designed to measure the temperature of the surrounding environment. It cannot change or adjust any of the attributes of the environment, which may be harmful to the occupants. A "thermometer" is one who chooses to just accept faith as he or she sees it. It is the engineers and business persons accepting racism and sexism for a promotion or because of fear of losing their job, which is inevitable anyway in this culture of corporate downsizing. It is the kid on the street selling drugs because he wants nice things now, without seeing the circle of violence that will eventually kill him. Many people are pursuing engineering degrees with the hope and aspiration of becoming a "thermometer." One may be studying to be an engineer, doctor, or lawyer who just wants to become part of the status quo! The ultimate goal of the "thermometer" is to adjust to the environment and determine the best way to assimilate into the culture of a new career. John F. Kennedy was speaking of the "thermometer" when he stated that conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.

A thermostat is a pro-active device which determines and prescribes the temperature of the environment around it. To be a "thermostat" requires energy unnecessary to be a thermometer, because the thermostat is the gage which turns on the engine and pumps to make the necessary changes in the surroundings. The thermostat has a responsibility to the environment to maintain it in a state where all occupants are comfortable. If it fails, the results may be catastrophic for some, while others may be unharmed. In an environment of racism and sexism, with no thermostat to measure them, some people will actually thrive, while women and minorities are literally choked to death by the toxic temperature of the environment enclosed by the "glass ceiling."

The challenge for Black engineers in the next century is to design and implement programs that not only confront the ills of society that affect our daily lives, but to be at the forefront challenging their businesses and institutions in an effort to lead this new generation. The methodology is personal, but just accepting such as life's fate is unacceptable. Malcolm X stated, "As long as we agree on the objective, we should not argue over the methodology."

The objective must be to make our daily surroundings civil and livable by being agents of change ("thermostats") and not just reporters ("thermometers"). Many leaders of today are just "thermometers," reporting on the temperature of the day without the power or knowledge to change anything. Martin Luther King Jr. was not killed because he had a dream of changing America. The leadership and effort to bring about change led to his untimely death. Workers at Texaco chose to be "thermostats," and again, America is claiming to be shocked. Being reasonable and smiling never have and never will solve our problems.

George Bernard Shaw said, "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man continuously forces the world to adapt to him. Therefore, all measurable progress comes via the unreasonable man." The "thermometer" is reasonable. The "thermostat" is unreasonable.

Remember, Rosa Parks was unreasonable. She set the tone for the day!

The Opportunity!

The opportunity is that the present leadership in the Black community lacks the necessary vision and broad training to build the bridges and infrastructure needed in the future. The time has come for the engineer trained as a doctor, lawyer or businessman to answer the call of the leadership and to develop technological and economical infrastructures that will serve as foundations for institutions in the next millennium.

There is an adage that states, "In the land of the blind, a one-eye man is king." As a matter of fact, a one-eye man does not thank God until he meets a blind man. Many have eyesight but are blind in the sense that they do not possess the vision or foresight necessary to prepare for the obstacles yet to be created. As engineers in the 21st century, no longer can African-Americans afford to be blind or myopic. Technology is changing more rapidly than ever, and the silent marauders of racism and sexism have been transformed and still flourish. Engineers with vision and determination are necessary if destruction of such ramparts are to ever be destroyed. Without visionary leaders coming from the ranks of the engineering community, the Black community may find itself as homeless sign-carrying hobos on the super information highway in the 21st century!

Often one does not realize the price that has been paid for him or her to participate in society as a functional citizen. Many men sacrificed their lives and futures so that the generation of today may pursue great heights and achievements, and there is a price to be paid! The adage, "From him or her to whom much is given, much is expected," should weigh heavily on the hearts of this generation. In the face of death and annihilation, ancestors fought for full citizenry. With lessor burdens and fewer challenges, African-American engineers must stand on the shoulders of their ancestors and seize the opportunity to make this a better world for all. Life is an education in and of itself, and the world the classroom. African-American engineers must teach the world a better way in the 21st century!