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With Black history books being systematically removed from library shelves, limiting access to crucial resources that elucidate the multifaceted experiences and contributions of Black Americans, it’s more important than ever to discuss and share Black History. The ongoing erasure of Black History in America has been exacerbated by politicians attempting to rewrite history to downplay the significance of Black stories. With the goal of amplifying, celebrating, and preserving the voices and experiences that shape Black history, BIN presents “Black History You Weren’t Taught In School.”
1. Henrietta Lacks’ Contributions To The World Of Science
Henrietta Lacks, a mother from Baltimore, deserves recognition in every U.S. biology class for her significant impact on science and medicine. In 1951, while undergoing tumor treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, cells from her biopsy were taken without her consent and became pivotal in ongoing medical research. Her cells were the first known human immortal cells used in medical research. Now referred to as the HeLa cell line, these cells have been used in AIDS, cancer, gene mapping, and other scientific work. Her contributions led to the creation of the first cell line capable of perpetual reproduction. Despite this being one of the era’s most significant medical advancements, the primary contributor, Lacks, passed away just two months after the initial biopsy, and her family remained unaware of the breakthrough for decades.
2. Tulsa Was Once Home To A Thriving “Black Wall Street”
Following the Emancipation Proclamation in the 1890s, freed slaves flocked to Oklahoma as a haven for a fresh start. Black residents started businesses and eventually built a thriving community in Tulsa’s Greenwood District that became known as “Negro Wall Street.” The term was coined by Booker T. Washington. Black Wall…
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