Spreading Good News (Post 774 – BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Dr. James McCune Smith)

The goal of Spreading Good News is for readers to:

GET INSPIRED and/or GET MOTIVATED and/or GET INFORMED and/or GET AWE-STRUCK and/or GET A BREAK FROM ALL THE NEGATIVE NEWS and to tell readers about our good, short books and our online store.

 

CLICK THE “BE INSPIRED!” BUTTON (ABOVE) TO VIEW OUR BOOKS AND OUR ONLINE STORE!!  In our online store, we have “World Peace” and other great merchandise, as well as “Meaningful Messages,” which are unique greeting cards that address serious issues, including incarceration, terminal illness, and heart-to-heart cards.

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CONSTANT QUOTE

 

 

IT’S BETTER TO DIE CHASING A DREAM NEVER CAUGHT THAN TO DIE NEVER HAVING CHASED THE DREAM.  ~ Joyce Fields

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TRUTH AND HONESTY FREE YOUR SOUL, SO STOP THE LYING!  ~ Joyce Fields

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THE ANTI-BULLYING PLEDGE

It’s FREE and available at http://www.GoodShortBooks.com!  A useful and very effective tool against bullying.

Gives kids something to live up to–their own pledge!

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TODAY’S BLOG

We all should know more about the contributions that African-Americans have made in the fields of science and medicine, as well as art, music, the written word, sports, and just-everyday life.

During “Black History Month,” (February) I will continue Spreading Good News about Black History on Monday through Thursday.  On Fridays, I will keep posting the very popular “Funny Friday” pieces!

I hope you enjoy this piece of Black History!

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH:  Dr. James McCune Smith

~ Source:  The Internet

Dr. James McCune Smith was one of the most broadly accomplished black intellectuals and activists in antebellum (before the Civil War) America.  Born in New York on April 18, 1813, to a mother who purchased her own freedom and a father who may have been a freed slave or a white merchant, Smith attended the African Free School in New York City, where, at the age of eleven, he was chosen to give an address to the Marquis de Lafayette (1824).

Upon graduation from the African Free School, James McCune Smith sought, but was denied, admission to several American colleges.  He then managed to raise money to attend the University of Glasgow in Scotland, where, after completing bachelor’s and masters’ degrees, he completed a medical degree in 1837.  Thus he became, as far as can be determined, the first African American to be awarded a degree in medicine.  After completing a medical internship in Paris, he returned to New York City, where he opened a medical office and a pharmacy that attracted interracial clientele on West Broadway.

While in Scotland, Smith joined the Glasgow Emancipation Society, an organization that helped to fund his education.  After returning to New York City, Dr. Smith quickly emerged as a powerful anti-slavery and anti-racism organizer, orator, and writer.  Intellectually erudite and passionate, he wrote prolifically about medicine, science, education, racism, and literature.

In 1863, he moved to Ohio to accept a position as professor of anthropology at Wilberforce College.  Dr. James McCune Smith died of heart disease at the age of 52 on November 17, 1865. He was survived by his wife and five children.

 

Go here for a very interesting article about his descendants, written by Karen Matthews Associated Press Writer / September 26, 2010:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/09/26/descendants_of_1st_black_us_doctor_mark_nyc_grave/

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NOTE FROM JOYCE:  If you enjoyed and/or learned from this blog, please leave a comment and send the link to others.  Thanks!!

If you’re interested in reading all about “My Breast Cancer Journey,” those posts start with post #334.

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~ Joyce Fields

 

ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS FROM JOYCE FIELDS

Joyce is an author who has written seven books.  If you enjoy this blog, you will, undoubtedly, enjoy all her books.  Her sister, Anita, is also an author.

BE INSPIRED!  You can read about and order their books AND order merchandise from their online store at this link (or click the “BE INSPIRED!” button above):

https://lineofserenity.wordpress.com/get-more-inspiration/

Thanks for your interest AND support!!

Contact Joyce at goodshortbooks@yahoo.com.

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SOME OF JOYCE’S FAVORITE BLOGS

I visit these blogs and leave comments regularly.  I think you will enjoy them all!

http://www.lenasledgeblog.com  Books, reviews, give-aways, interviews.

http://living4bliss.com  Believing Life Is Set up for Success (BLISS)

http://goss-coaching.com/author/gosscoaching  A professional writer and wellness coach helping people connect thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and action to create optimal health and a vibrant life.

http://www.thebirkineffect.com  Musings of a “want it all” 21st century woman.

http://www.thesweetsensations.com  A baking, entertainment, and lifestyle blog.  Fantastic recipes and food photography, too!

http://www.pennilessparenting.com  A rich life on minimum wage.  Plus fabulous, healthful recipes!

http://www.rumpydog.com  I’m a dog with a unique perspective on human life.

http://www.davidkanigan.com/  Lead.Learn.Live.  David Kanigan:  Inspiration, Ideas & Information.

http://callingoftheheart.wordpress.com  Spirituality, Psychology, and Political.

http://www.petedenton.wordpress.com  Writer of short stories, Flash fiction, and some scripts.