THE GOLDEN 13

Have you ever heard of "The Golden 13"? Maybe not...but if not you definitely should educate yourself and pay attention. Everyday is black history for there is so many great things that black people have done and accomplish that was not recorded or written down due to racism, illiteracy because of slavery, and various other reasons. Today I want to bring recognition to one of the most intelligent men who served to be apart of The Golden 13 in the early 1940's.

The Golden 13 was station near the Great Lakes and had a lot against them because they were African American but, simply because they were determined and strong individuals they did not let anything stop them from being apart of the Navy. They stuck it out through every difficulty. Finally, the day came for the final comprehensive test of Officer Candidate School. When their test results went to the Pentagon, there was consternation and disbelief. The Golden 13 had scored the highest grades that had ever been recorded in Navy history and still stands as the best Record ever recorded in the Navy.

Because of all the hostility and racism that occurred during that time it was unbelieveable that black men could do so good on the test. They (Whites) did not want to believe that it was possible for 13 young black men to achieve scores far beyond those of the young white men taking the same test to become naval officers.

The poisonous legacy of generations of Jim Crow had seeped into the WHITE American mindset. The Golden 13 were challenging that mindset, and in the process, challenging segregation, Jim Crow, and the entire status of African Americans in the United States.
The officials still did not want to give props to the Golden 13 that scored greatly on the test and a order from Washington, D.C.: made them take the test again! Although the new test was harder and tougher the Golden 13 scored higher than they did before and so they remain at the top.

So this goes to prove to you that African Americans are some of the most gifted and intelligent individuals on the planet and we will always be able to do whatever we put our minds too!