On July 16, I was in attendance at a worthwhile affair to celebrate the release of the Inaugural Edition of Who’s Who in Black Pittsburgh. There were about 300 people in attendance. There were a number of people of my generation whom I knew, but there were more of the current generation with whom I was not familiar.
Over the course of my life I have been fortunate to receive a number of awards and on every occasion I would ask the same question, “Why is not this person or that person not being recognized?” The answer would generally be, “Hop, every deserving person can’t be highlighted.” Then I would with tongue in cheek ask why not? What criteria are established to define Who is Who? Is it mandatory have a high school diploma, GED, BA, MA, PhD? Is it a basic requirement that you have a position in the corporate system or a title in the political structure? Is there a requirement that those we honor publically have made a difference in the lives of others outside their immediate families? In my estimation there must be at least 1000 to 1500 people who have been recognized by various organizations as outstanding Black men and women. My major concerns are two fold, first if there are this many that have earned public recognition then I am compelled to ask the question, why are Blacks in Pittsburgh in such terrible condition?
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