African Americans are underappreciated through many fields of work throughout the course of our nation’s history. They have changed the scientific world and the way we can efficiently manage specific tasks. Names such as George Washington Carver, Percy Julian, Walter Lincoln Hawkins, and Edward Bouchet have not only revolutionized the pathway for upcoming African American scientists but effectively modified how we as people approach specific endeavors.

We undermine the utmost importance of the role that scientists, better yet, African American scientists, play in increasing our productivity levels in every aspect imaginable. Ranging from new developments in the agricultural world, such as finding advanced methods to prevent soil depletion as George Washing Carver did in 1897, to emerging breakthroughs in the medical field by Percy Julian, who chemically synthesized world-renowned medical drugs like cortisone, steroids, and birth control pills from plants. Or even technological advancements like making universal service possible by using a plastic coating for telephone wires like Walter Lincoln Hawkins did in 1956.

Though it may sound like this process was plain sailing, it was the opposite for these African American scientists. Having to constantly fight through the pain of discrimination, these scientists were undervalued their entire life because of the color of their skin. Many were denied the opportunity to have the education to kickstart their scientific careers. Still, people like Edward Bouchet paved the way for all African American scientists hoping to receive an education by being the first African American to earn his Ph.D. from an American university. 

Even today, many African American scientists suffer the lack of trust by their white colleagues in their hypotheses or scientific findings. Thus leading towards not being allowed to have support in becoming a well-respected scientist. Isaac Hernandez, a student at Anaheim High School, shared his thoughts that “African Americans are underrepresented within the scientific field.” Going back to the fact that although there has been a significant rise in the number of African American scientists, they are still marginalized within this field.

Overall these inspiring African American scientists have proven their genious, despite being doubted day in and day out solely because of the color of their skin. Nowadays, there are still aspiring scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson who continue to change the world in their scientific field.