A real profile in courage.
Tag Archives: heroes
The courage of a 9 yo
Ronald McNair, killed in the Challenger explosion 25 years ago, would merit remembrance had he never become an astronaut.
In 1959, when McNair was just nine years old, he famously made a scene at the Lake City Public Library. Residents stared the African American boy down and watched as he walked to the main counter and attempted to check out books on advanced science and calculus. The librarian refused to release them and told him “we don’t circulate books to Negroes.”
The passionate young man wouldn’t budge, and instead hoisted himself onto the counter and said he wasn’t leaving without the books. Library patrons laughed as McNair’s feet dangled off the counter while he waited and the librarian called police.
Two police officers arrived at the scene along with McNair’s mother, Pearl. They determined the boy was not causing any public disturbance and Pearl convinced the librarian she’d pay for the books if they were not returned. The librarian gave in.
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Hosea’s Atlanta
A fantastic find, courtesy of longtime Atlanta TV reporter Doug Richards. Hosea Williams seemed to be one of those rare political figures who actually liked people, and most everyone liked Hosey — a true American hero at home and abroad.
Hero in a burka
A brave Saudi housewife has reached the final of the Arabic version of the X Factor after lashing out at hardline Muslim clerics on live TV.Wearing a black burkha, mother-of-four Hissa Hilal delivered a blistering poem against Muslim preachers ‘who sit in the position of power’ but are ‘frightening’ people with their fatwas, or religious edicts, and ‘preying like a wolf’ on those seeking peace.
Her poem got loud cheers from the audience last week and won her a place in the competition’s final on April 7.It also brought her death threats, posted on several Islamic militant websites. …
‘My message to those who hear me is love, compassion and peace,’ Hilal said. ‘We all have to share a small planet and we need to learn how to live together.’

