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Welcome to this weeks edition of Open Mic. In light of February being Black History Month I would like to take time to reflect on one of the many great African-Americans in black history; Arthur Ashe. Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. was born July 10, 1943 in Richmond, Virginia. Arthur Ashe is one of the greatest US tennis players in history. Ashe won three Grand Slam titles (the first African-American male to win a Grand Slam), had 33 career titles, a career record of 818-260 and turned pro at the age of 26. Ashe is in the International Tennis Hall of Fame as well in addition to many of his other accalades. Ashe was also known for his civil rights efforts. Ashe was an active civil rights supporter and was a member of a delegation of 31 well-known African-Americans who visited South Africa to witness political change in the country as it reached racial integration.
Arthur Ashe was also very influential and involved when it came to HIV/AIDS. Having contracted the disease himself through blood transfusions he received during heart surgery, Ashe founded the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health to assist in addressing the issue of inadequate health care. Ashe passed away from complications from the disease on February 6, 1993. Ashe was a great man and did alot for the world and was more than just a world-class athlete. He was a first-class citizen.-Freestyle
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| 2/22/10 10:09 PM
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