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The pride of two communities
Here is Bob Curbeam, the pride of two majority-black communities: Turner Station, where he spent his earliest years; and Woodlawn, where he graduated from high school 26 years ago, before attending the Naval Academy and getting a master's degree.
Besides being a beautiful shot, the picture illustrates how high achievement has no skin color. Those of us who have followed Mr. Curbeam's career know this is his third Space Shuttle flight, and not his first space-walk.
This photo appeared on the Web several days ago. I am still waiting for the story to hit the late newscasts here in Baltimore, where this man should be the hero of the day. Instead, the newscasts have led-off with the latest scorecard in the area's continuing game of what-lowlife-shot-which-other-lowlife.
Do the TV newsies think this story will fail to resonate with the city's huge black audience because Mr. Curbeam is a scientist, not an athlete, entertainer, preacher or criminal?
Is Mr. Curbeam to be considered a sell-out, because he has not succeeded in a way people consider "black enough?" That seems to be the reaction to others who break the stereotypes, for example Michael Steele or Awadagin Pratt.
Or is it simply considered not newsworthy when someone who has grown up in two modest, sometimes troubled, communities achieves something spectacular?
It is SO easy to find stories of failure and degradation. When a plum item like this comes along, that ought to inspire everyone, the TV stations should be on with at least the same intensity they give to bloody murders, drug raids and car chases.