Of 14 black astronauts, 3 perished in service

cincypost ^

[chance33_98]

Of 14 black astronauts, 3 perished in service

By Lisa Hoffman Scripps Howard News Service

Their ranks never large, African-American astronauts have come to more than their share of tragic ends. The demise of payload commander Michael Anderson in the space shuttle Columbia disaster marked the third death of an African-American astronaut since the first black flier was enlisted in the space program in 1967.

The last African-American to die in space was Ronald McNair, who was one of the seven crew members killed when the shuttle Challenger exploded in January 1986.

Nearly 20 years before that tragedy, the first black astronaut -- Air Force test pilot Robert Lawrence -- met a fiery end when his F-104 fighter jet crashed during training in California.

These deaths represent a particularly heavy toll, given that just 14 African-Americans have become astronauts in NASA's 40 years of manned flight.

Anderson's death cuts the current ranks to six.

Over the years, NASA has come under criticism for running a mostly white space operation. Critics note that it wasn't until 1976 that the space agency even began to recruit minorities.

While acknowledging that it needs to do more, NASA counters that it is actively trying to diversify its space cockpits. Since the 1990s, NASA has placed an emphasis on raising minority representation, doling out tens of millions of dollars for academic scholarships, fellowships and other grants. It also has conducted an extensive outreach campaign with schools and youth groups to foster interest.

Former astronauts say they are disappointed that so few African-Americans have followed in their footsteps.

Guion Bluford, who became the first black in space in 1983, has given NASA passing marks for its efforts. But he and others fault the low interest of many African-Americans in pursuing math, engineering or other scientific careers. That results in a lack of role models for young blacks to emulate.

Another factor is the small numbers of blacks in the ranks of military pilots -- a common steppingstone to becoming an astronaut.

[chance33_98]

Ping

[Fresh Wind]

The politicization continues. Sigh.

[chance33_98]

Sadly you are correct.

[ch.man]

Read Chuck Yeager on this subject.

[AlexW]

Will the 13% ever stop complaining about not having 50% of everything?

[mhking]

Why are they trying to make an issue of this?

Black conservative ping

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[Dahoser]

What's next? That NASA is inherently racist and does not take the same care when blacks are on board? Once again, those who claim to want a colorblind society see only colors not people.

[alisasny]

Former astronauts say they are disappointed that so few African-Americans have followed in their footsteps.

Couldn't have a sucessful astronaut human being as a role model now could they. I bet Jesse and his ilk have never mentioned any of the 14 as they are too sucessful, in other words UNCLE Toms.

My son is doing an oral report this month on Neil Armstrong. He picked him about a month ago. I asked him other day who other classmates picked he said sports people and music stars.

My conclusion is the quest for knowledge all starts at home.

[Budge]

Ms. Hoffman, what difference does the color of their skin make?

These three men you cited were Americans.

[sd-joe]

Well, the Israelis could complain that 100% of their astronauts died in service.

This kind of numbers analysis is just plain stupid.

[oldvike]

This constant race baiting by black voices ALL the time is really starting to get to me.

[cksharks]

I think there have been more women killed than blacks and do they make up less than blacks.

[OldFriend]

Oh no. Here comes Charlie Rangel and his hateful cohorts.

[NautiNurse]

A goofy analysis.

:::::shaking head in amazement:::::

[lodwick]

Outstanding observation! bttt

People, get over yourselves - they were Americans.

[grania]

This kind of numbers analysis is just plain stupid.

They are. Because of the comparitively low number of black astronauts, one on board is a pretty high percentage. So, if a shuttle goes down, it's automatic that a high percentage of black astronauts have died. Like you wrote, 100% of Israeli astronauts have died. Also, 100% of elementary teachers from New Hampshire in a special program have died and 100% of women born in India have died.

Geesh...it's a frayed statistic. It might be significant if it was a broad category...say percentage of white male astronauts vs. all others who have died in space tragedies.

That's the other thing wrong with this silly statistic...it doesn't compare these deaths as a percentage to other groups.

[djf]

14 Black astronauts? I wonder how many of them got there by whining about racism.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

No joke - the Wshington ComPost had a story on Columbia with a headline reading (more or less)"Israeli, Indian, Black Communities Hit Hardest By Shuttle Tragedy"!

[Living Free in NH]

Anderson's death cuts the current ranks to six.

Want to see them go completely crazy?

Fact. We still have a couple astronauts up in the Space Station who have only enough supplies to last them 'til June.

Problem. These race baiters want to see a larger representation of the black folks in space.

Solution. Send a crew of the remaining six black astronauts on the next shuttle mission to go get them...

[biblewonk]

"Almost lost a perfectly good hand cart" Blazing Sadles

[mombonn]

Can it be long until we hear from jesse jerkson???

[Copernicus]

New York Times Headline:

WORLD ENDS TOMORROW!!!

Subheading:

WOMEN & MINORITIES MOST DEEPLY AFFECTED

[AppyPappy]

I wonder how many of them got there by whining about racism

You're an idiot.

[Mamzelle]

Since we're on the subject, a few more details about the black astronewbie killed in a training flight many years would be worth a look, more interesting than recent history. There was a high rate of training kills in general at Nasa, a policy from the much-adored Deke Slayton who declared that all astronausts should be pilots. (Because Deke was a pilot). Since he controlled, along with Shepherd the Banker, who became an astronaut and who was allowed to fly, this policy of preferring military pilots had a lot to do with both the high rate of kills and the low number of black astronauts.

[Living Free in NH]

You're not a very kind person...

[WorkingClassFilth]

Honest to God, they ought to send up a flight solely crewed with journalists like this fool and purposely fire them into a solar orbit. It might even be entertaining to listen to them as they sail on into glory...

[Bob]

No joke - the Wshington ComPost had a story on Columbia with a headline reading (more or less)"Israeli, Indian, Black Communities Hit Hardest By Shuttle Tragedy"!

Did you personally see this? I'd have to see a link before I believe it. Sounds like the stuff of urban legends.

[AppyPappy]

I feel your pain

[Living Free in NH]

I feel your pain

I hope you're, at least, biting on your lower lip as you say this!

[spandau-guard]

Your group cannot be a victim unless someone keeps score and our society sure has become very good at doing just that.

[AppyPappy]

And looking really sincere.

[Kakaze]

I'll say what I have told friends and family......

As a exmilitary and corporate pilot whose flown all my Life........"When ever i look at flight crew photos I dont see human beings I see Eleagant Beings".......I don't give a damn about their heritage.......its their spirit I see!

[Dasaji]

I think the original point of "getting there because they whined about racisim" was sarcastic in the first place.

They got their because of their skill (which we should all recognize). The Poster wasn't making a snide remark, it was sarcasm. Was the "You're an Idiot" sarcasm also?

[buccaneer81]

I believe he was being ironic. My gut tells me none of them got there by whining. You either qualify as an astronaut or you don't. These folks are top shelf, regardless of race.

[AppyPappy]

If his was, mine was.

[buccaneer81]

I believe he was being ironic. My gut tells me none of them got there by whining. You either qualify as an astronaut or you don't. These folks are top shelf, regardless of race.

[buccaneer81]

I believe he was being ironic. My gut tells me none of them got there by whining. You either qualify as an astronaut or you don't. These folks are top shelf, regardless of race.

[Republic of Texas]

I suppose now Al Sharpton will complain that Black astronauts are over represented on the front lines of space exploration?

[ImpBill]

"These deaths represent a particularly heavy toll, given that just 14 African-Americans have become astronauts in NASA's 40 years of manned flight."

It must be a VRW/bigots conspriacy. "Once again the white man is dissing African Americans."

I wonder if perhaps this will be the 2003 version of the Bird commercial?

[djf]

Living in Seattle, I have seen much about Mike Anderson, who grew up in Spokane. He was a man I would have been proud to have as a friend or aquaintance.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/134626259_webanderson01.html

And the answer to my question is somewheres between 0 and 14.

I think it's zero.

[Republic of Texas]

Sarcasm detectors on sale now in the lobby.

[verity]

I don't care!

[AppyPappy]

It sometimes pays not to use subtle sarcasm when dealing with tragedies.

[Lancey Howard]

They need to get away from the ridiculous "qualifications" mentality and build a NASA that "looks like America". </sarcasm>

[Centurion2000]

Affirmative Action and the space program are the LAST things that should be put together. Space is already dangerous enough without some underqualified candidate possibly doing something stupid.

Nature and space are both meritocracies in the long run. The strong survive; the weak perish.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

The Washington Times had this on their website today:

The Washington Post offered up this headline in its Sunday Metro section: "Shuttle Tragedy Is Felt Especially Keenly by Members of the Region's Indian, Israeli, Black Communities."

[coloradan]

Columbia Destroyed; Women and Minorities Hardest Hit

[cpdiii]

Three good men among many other good men who perished over the years in the space program, their color is totally irrelevant!

[stand watie]

because controversy sells soap. that's why.

FRee dixie,sw