THREE LIVES WORTH STUDY IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Southeast Missouri State University and most other institutions of learning celebrate Black History Month in February. The month-long observance means to recognize the achievements of African-American men and women in shaping America. For persons of all races, there is plenty to be learned from the struggles and triumphs of black Americans, just as there are plenty of examples from which to learn.

Black America and all humankind have lost three of these examples recently with the deaths of Thurgood Marshall, Reginald Lewis and, over the weekend, Arthur Ashe. All three of these men serve as role models not just to young blacks, but to all young people; their perseverance and ability to make something of the opportunities of this nation should be inspirations to all.

Thurgood Marshall had made a heroic name for himself as the nation's foremost civil rights attorney, fighting the battles of desegregation in the South (winning 29 of 33 cases he argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court), before being named the first African-American member of that esteemed bench. While his decisions were not always to the nation's liking, and while his contributions to an activist judiciary were often beyond the scope of that body's intended power, Justice Marshall's strengths were in his character and the steadfastness of his convictions.

Reginald Lewis, who died of brain cancer at age 50 last month, may have been the least well-known of this trio, but in business circles he was a giant. A corporate financier and the chairman of TLC Beatrice Corp., Lewis overcame humble beginnings to attain a personal fortune of more than $400 million. He recoiled at being referred to as an "African-American success story," preferring simply a "success story."

Much has been written in recent days about Arthur Ashe and his contributions to society, and most of it has been right on the mark. It is not often that an athlete (especially one as successful as Ashe) becomes larger in influence once his playing days are completed, but that is what happened with this tennis great. Though suffering the humiliation of segregation at an early age, Ashe showed himself as neither scarred nor bitter by the experience; he commanded respect by carrying himself with dignity in both thought and deed.

One thing all these men had in common was an ability to work and excel and effect change from within established systems. They demanded and utilized their rights as citizens of this nation, and the ground they broke was not so much a breaking of structure as it was moving that structure to a higher level.

During Black History Month, or any other month, these contemporary role models are worth examination. Their life works, while inspiring to African Americans, transcended their race, and so should their legacies.