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By Tonya Sinclair Swindell
Integrity involves doing the right thing, even when it doesn’t seem easy. The words “not easy” tend to stand out, because making wise choices can be difficult, no doubt. And I’ll admit I’m a work in progress, so I was inspired to learn the integrity and class of Katherine Johnson, the black mathematician who was instrumental in John Glenn’s Earth Orbit Mission.
Integrity can inspire me to make good decisions, when the choices are not clear or I have limited vision. He speaks saying, “Do this or do that; but try to make smart choices that you won’t soon regret.
Integrity motivated Katherine Johnson, a “hidden figure” adept at calculus. When Johnson arrived at NASA for work, a colleague refused to sit near her. “Well, I came here to work; and that’s what I’m going to do, ”was Ms Johnson’s response after her colleague’s refusal.
Without a doubt, her colleague was not used to sitting so close to a woman like Johnson, with a beautiful brown hue, who was divinely gifted for what she was sent there for. As part of a group of scientists and astronauts, white men, who took pride in doing their jobs, it was probably difficult to sit nearby while a woman of color calculated distance and time. . Like many of them in a segregated community, he probably never experienced the unique pleasure and opportunity of venturing beyond the perceived social barriers that made working together so difficult.
Ms Johnson has made a conscious decision to excel despite opposition. She didn’t downplay her math skills, although others displayed their disdain and unwillingness. She openly showed her exquisite brilliance and did so with professionalism.
Johnson and many others wore a figurative mantle and skillfully but carefully set a prime example of what it feels like to walk with integrity when others throw blows at one’s humanity. They exemplified character and respectable demeanor in the presence of opponents, skeptics and enemies. It must not have been easy, not for a minute, to resist the temptation to give in to feelings of bitterness or forgiveness instead of integrity and courtesy – the honorable virtues of business.
Now their actions are revealing important lessons in dealing with situations that attempt to threaten or divide and overcome feelings of oneness among a variety of individuals from diverse communities. Johnson Integrity said: “I’m not going to do this: stop making good choices because of another person’s pride – or pride that might hinder the progress we’ve made as a people.”
As I mentioned earlier, I am a work in progress, learning lessons that have been lived and then taught by the best: individuals like Ms. Katherine Johnson, a proud recipient of a Presidential Honor. Mrs. Johnson, your heritage continues to inspire, and following your example is one of my desires. I recognize your greatness posthumously and thank you for being an example to me.
This column was originally published in the New Journal and Guide in the August 19-25 edition.
Tonya Sinclair Swindell is the author of “Nourishment & Encouragement: Poetry For Your Mind, Body, and Soul”. She can be reached at: [email protected] or on Facebook at Tonya Sinclair Swindell – Teacher With A Pen.
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