History is rife with grandiose tales, of those from humble beginnings rising to positions of extravagance and luxury. The classic “rags-to-riches” story takes many forms, with an assortment of characters, yet it is still inspires and warms the hearts of all that hear it. Although not as time honored, the condition of African-Americans in the United States is no less inspirational. From the day the first Black men and women set foot upon this continent, they were at a tremendous disadvantage. To simply state that the odds were stacked against them would disrespect the immensity of their circumstances. For centuries, generations of Blacks suffered through the brutal and dehumanizing institution of slavery; carving a tiny place for themselves
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Still, the descendants of freed slaves carried on, neigh they thrived. Toiling from dawn ‘til dusk in the fields, devoting hours to their studies, creating self-sustaining communities; Blacks used every ounce of will, physical strength, and mental fortitude in order to simply compete with their white counterparts. When the twentieth century brought about a new Black Bourgeois in Houston, this was a monumental feat; to have made such tremendous progress merely two generations removed from slavery. Furthermore, the motivations of these remarkable individuals was quite altruistic in comparison the other races of similar economic status. In order to progress as a people, the Negro populous would need access the same skills, capital, and human resources as Whites; therefore African-American men and women strove to become doctors, educators, ministers, business owners and other professions, not to amass vast wealth, but to advance elevate and advance their entire …show more content…
In 1915 alone, an estimated 45 percent of the approximate 800 deaths of Black Houstonians, were presentable ; because illness was one of the largest contributing factors. As high percentages of Blacks suffered from unemployment or underemployment that resigned them to lives of abject poverty; the perpetuation of this cycle forced Blacks to reside in unsanitary and substandard housing. During the initial decades of the twentieth century it was not uncommon for domiciles in the “Negro section” of town to be without running water, indoor plumbing, or adequate drainage. The combination of these factors, in addition to others made African American communities across the nation, as well as Houston a perfect incubators for tuberculosis, typhoid fever, cholera, or typhus. While communicable disease ran rampant in the Black community, its’ citizens were left with little means to combat these epidemics. Prior to 1919 Houston hospitals only employed white physicians, most of whom refused to admit Black patience. The few that were willing to cater to Blacks provided insufficient resources for their care. The necessity of adequate facilities for Negros and competent staff to fill them, resulted in a small niche market for Black physicians. Despite the slim options available to African Americans that wanted a medical education; there was a fledging
Still, the descendants of freed slaves carried on, neigh they thrived. Toiling from dawn ‘til dusk in the fields, devoting hours to their studies, creating self-sustaining communities; Blacks used every ounce of will, physical strength, and mental fortitude in order to simply compete with their white counterparts. When the twentieth century brought about a new Black Bourgeois in Houston, this was a monumental feat; to have made such tremendous progress merely two generations removed from slavery. Furthermore, the motivations of these remarkable individuals was quite altruistic in comparison the other races of similar economic status. In order to progress as a people, the Negro populous would need access the same skills, capital, and human resources as Whites; therefore African-American men and women strove to become doctors, educators, ministers, business owners and other professions, not to amass vast wealth, but to advance elevate and advance their entire …show more content…
In 1915 alone, an estimated 45 percent of the approximate 800 deaths of Black Houstonians, were presentable ; because illness was one of the largest contributing factors. As high percentages of Blacks suffered from unemployment or underemployment that resigned them to lives of abject poverty; the perpetuation of this cycle forced Blacks to reside in unsanitary and substandard housing. During the initial decades of the twentieth century it was not uncommon for domiciles in the “Negro section” of town to be without running water, indoor plumbing, or adequate drainage. The combination of these factors, in addition to others made African American communities across the nation, as well as Houston a perfect incubators for tuberculosis, typhoid fever, cholera, or typhus. While communicable disease ran rampant in the Black community, its’ citizens were left with little means to combat these epidemics. Prior to 1919 Houston hospitals only employed white physicians, most of whom refused to admit Black patience. The few that were willing to cater to Blacks provided insufficient resources for their care. The necessity of adequate facilities for Negros and competent staff to fill them, resulted in a small niche market for Black physicians. Despite the slim options available to African Americans that wanted a medical education; there was a fledging