Watch the evening news and you would think that black people were nothing more than drug dealers, terrorist, pimps and whores. What the media seldom reports are the many contributions to our society that African Americans made and continue to make today. 

America was built on a slave-supported system. Alexander Mills, a black man invented the elevator. Richard Spikes; a black man invented the automatic gearshift. Albert Robinson, a black man invented the electric trolley. Charles Brooks, a black man invented the street sweeper. John Love, a black man invented the pencil sharpener. William Purveys, a black man invented the fountain pen. Lee Barrage invented the Typewriter. William Barry invented the postmarking and canceling machine. Phillip Downing invented the letter drop.  

Joseph Smith invented the lawn sprinkler and John Burr invented the lawn mower. Frederick Jones improved the air conditioner. Alice Parker invented the heating furnace. Walter Sammons invented the comb. Sarah Boone invented the ironing board. George T. Samon invented the clothes dryer. John Standard invented the refrigerator. Lloyd Ray invented the dustpan. Lewis Latimer invented the filament within the light bulb. Charles Drew found a way to preserve and store blood. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a black doctor performed the first open- heart surgery. 

I find it very troubling that most of the media continues to focus on the negative aspects in the black community. However I do find it interesting that CNN gives equal billing to all communities. CNN reports the news fairly.  

Many news stations would report that five black teenagers stole a SUV. If the subjects were white they would report that “five white teenagers took a SUV for a joy ride through the community. A mischievous prank that can not be tolerated in this community.” CNN would report the same story: “ Five white teenagers stole a SUV. They should be thrown in jail. A reward is offered for their capture. 

CNN with its fair reporting is making a great contribution to our society. It reveals to us all that there are good and bad people in every race and community. You are not safe in Tulane Court and you are not safe in Wynlakes. You should never let your guard down. Even the Harvard educated doctor or lawyer lying next to you could be the one to wipe you out! You are so busy locking your doors and being afraid of the man on the street when the boogey man might just be inside your house!

In the words of my dad, “If you don’t have money at least have class!”

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com