Customer Reviews

Black Americans of Achievement: George Washington Carver [VHS]

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This work starts off saying that GWC was raised by a (former?) owner as if he were a son. As much as Black scientists have embraced GWC as a hero, perhaps transracial adoptees and their parents could too.

I thought film in color was first used in 1954, but GWC died in the 1940s and they have a film of him in color. One never hears his actual voice, which I read was high and feminine.

Race is a tricky dynamic. First, the work said GWC knew few Blacks and didn't really know how to interact with them. However, it also says he did scientific work to help Black farmers when he could have joined inventors like Thomas Edison.

In the Schlessinger Black American series, they always note when a famous Black person gets married. This work never mentions that GWC never married. The documentary interviews Linda McMurry whose book on GWC says, "I never found any proof that GWC was homosexual," but then goes on to say how GWC liked to give peanut oil massages to young men. On Notable Names Database, they say GWC was gay and list his male lover's name. I find the degaying of this important Black, gay man is highly problematic. If the series is supposed to give heroes to young Blacks, what about heroes for young Black gays and lesbians?

I especially appreciated the words of Dr. Painter. She contextualizes precisely why GWC is a famous figure. Though timid, I am glad GWC was included in the Schlessinger series.