Name one black man you feel history has not shown enough credit to?

Guy #1- Lewis Latimer was perhaps one of the greatest inventors of all time. He is the man who played major roles in helping inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell (the inventor of the telephone) and Thomas Edison (the inventor of the light bulb). Both inventions would have never gotten off of the ground if it were not for him. He is one of those people that will never receive the attention he deserves but I think it is important for many people to know his name.

Guy #2- Charles Hamilton Houston was a huge part of the civil rights movement. He played a major role in Brown vs. the Board of Education and was very influential before the actual case took place. He fought many cases for desegregating education before that monumental case but many people don’t know much about him. I think he was one of those unsung hero’s that our society doesn’t pay enough attention to.

Guy #3- Bill Withers is arguably one of the best songwriters of all time. The man won multiple Grammys, was inducted into the songwriter Hall of Fame, and has a very long list of classic songs. Some of his songs are “Lean on Me”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Grandma’s Hands”, “Lovely Day”, “Just the Two of Us”, “Use Me”, and many more. I think Bill Withers is one of those guys who are always looked over when we reflect on some of the most soulful singers of all time.

What was your first thought when you heard about Whitney Houston?

Guy #1- In all honesty, I still haven’t accepted the fact that she is gone. She is one of those icons that will never die in my heart. Just like Don Cornelius, Michael Jackson, James Brown, etc. Music helps people live on forever and become immortal. So when I heard, I was in shock but I still have not accepted it because it is so easy for me to look her up and still hear that beautiful voice.

Guy #2- I just prayed that it wasn’t drugs. We all know she was a beautiful singer, but her personal life may have taken over and if that’s the case then I feel bad to say that Whitney is no different than Jimi Hendrix and all those other icons that fell victim to show business.

Guy #3- I think it’s sad but then again I feel like that is the price many of our celebs pay for fame. Regardless if it was drugs or not, we see far too many divas fall before their prime. Whitney Houston is another example of Tammi Terrell, Flo from the Supremes, Amy Winehouse, and so many more. All of these women had different reasons for dying, however ultimately I wouldn’t change anything. The music they put out were the reflections of their pain. From their hurt, we all gained. It was an unfair exchange, however their legacies will live on though their music and their stories.

Do you think black men hate Valentine’s Day?

Guy #1- I think so. I think a lot of black men do nothing but complain. They complain 364 days out of the year, and Valentine’s Day is just another day for them to complain about. Most of the time, men don’t show their girl the love they so desperately need. Then they complain about Valentine’s Day because they have to put forth a little more effort. Most men don’t know that if you did what you were supposed to do during the year, your girl wouldn’t NEED for you to shower her with gifts. However, we are so use to complaining that we hate to have to put forth a little more effort.

Guy #2- I think it’s dumb. Most of my friends think so too. Only guys I know who like it are all locked down. It is just another day for girls to walk around with balloons and say “Oh girl my man love me.” I think it is just another opportunity for guys to front and act like they are in love. I never celebrate it. Even when I was in a relationship I made it known how I felt ahead of time.

Guy #3- I think it all depends on the guy. Some guys are just like women, bitter. So they complain about being lonely or cry about having to spend that time. I think Valentine’s Day is cool for the people who actually spend time with their significant other. Nobody wants to be alone. Even the hardest thug knows that. So there’s nothing wrong with showing your girl you love her. And for any guy that argues that is a fool.