Importance of Black Inventors and Scientists
Ramiro Lucas-Mariano
WRIT 150
October 25, 2021
The advancements in technology that have helped us function on an everyday basis have been all thanks to our American inventors like Thomas Edison, who invented the lightbulb, or like many other white inventors. Not. Many mechanisms of objects that we used have been improved or even created by people of color, specifically black scientists in the United States. Our textbooks have taught us to glorify white scientists for their accomplishments but never mention the products invented by black inventors and scientists.
The idea of American Innocence is a portrait of an honest courageous white man and so we grew up learning how everything in history was in favor of this white man. Without the carbon filament invented by black scientist Lewis Latimer, the light bulb would have never been a success. Our history credits the white men who “invented” a useful product but don’t acknowledge the time and people it took to make the final product. Black people have been the root of American success but our history books have never stated this truth. Our history books have told us very little about the extreme racism and dehumanization of black Americans that have continued to influence the systematic racism we see today.
The patent system that began in the 1790s denied the acceptance of black inventions because slaves were not considered citizens. With a patent for an invention/ product, the owners of the patent were able to gain revenue from sales of their product, pretty much having the rights to the production of the product. There were slaves who would buy their freedom and receive a patent through their partnership with a white friend of theirs. There were also times when slave owners would steal the inventions of their slaves and receive a patent to make more money. American history denies the importance of black inventors and continues to brainwash us into the glorification of white thieves, oh, I meant “inventors”.
Very important topic! When looking at American history, I question why there is an abundance of white inventors. It's almost like the American curriculum forgets that other races existed, and even though it was predominantly a white population, the diversity within America is what makes it so special today. So, it's nice to read about what you're going to write because African Americans played a big role in influencing modern American culture and were catalysts to its progression as a nation.
ReplyDeleteI like your cheeky bit at the end. I was actually unaware of this issue... I've never thought of it before. Racism promotes crooks to show their true colors, like war
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