James Maccune Smith's Influence On Society

Race is not biological but a social category. Out of 7.5 billion people on Earth, only a few know that the brilliant mind behind the significance of what this quote means was named James McCune Smith. To understand his story, people must be willing to learn his in-depth background, critical opinions of his inimitable achievements, and his influence upon many brilliant other minds alike such as Harvard graduates, even in modern today.

James McCune Smith had an ingenious mind throughout his entire childhood, although his father was never a part of his journey. He was born on April 18, 1813 as a free African-American, in Manhattan, New York with his mother. He was the son of an enslaved father and a free mother; His mother’s name was Lavinia

A historian named Carter Woodson inferred “He was considered an eloquent speaker” (Woodson 1). To start with Smith was an extremely brilliant mind meaning that throughout his entire life; he had a specific way of speaking and a specific mindset towards others beyond of his own color. Another Historian critic similar to Woodson which was John stauffer who was the chief historian of the university of Harvard cited in his collected findings “ Smith was one of the leaders within the movement to abolish slavery, and he was one of the most original and innovative writers of his time” (Stauffer 2). This is proven by how much Smith would chat with fellow abolitionists and colleagues that he had developed relationships with back in Ireland, in the back of his very own pharmacy at times; he would converse current problematic issues such as slavery, and its’ progress into perishing with some such as Frederick Douglass. Who was one of the most influenced critics of Smith’ works and dedication said on many occasions “Smith was the single most important influence on his life” (Smith 7). The relationship between Smith and Douglass is quite baffling and breathtaking to me for reasons such as Smith naming one of his son’s after him prior to his beloved son's death which was inevitable; Another being that him and Douglass established the

Vanessa Northington Gamble, a medical doctor and historian at George Washington University, in 2010 noted, "As early as 1859, Dr. McCune Smith said that race was not biological but was a social category." He also commented on the positive ways that ethnic Africans would influence US culture and society, in music, dance, food, and other elements (Smith 9). Smith made his words into reality as latest as in today’s world with his impactful, and meaningful accomplishments that are still looked upon by many others. For starters, Smith studied and graduated at the top of his class at University of Glasgow (2); This proved to many Caucasians alike how African-Americans could have the same mindset as a surgeon just as much as another Caucasian would. African-Americans make up only 13% of America, and due to the influence of Smith there are 4% of them as United State physicians which is still growing (Flores 1)! Learning about Smith’s journey has encouraged me even more to chase after my lifetime dream of becoming a clinical pharmacist in my local area before I’m thirty years of age. Secondly, He graduated with his Bachelor's, Master’s, and medical degree all in a row through a difficult period of three years in 1835, 1836, and 1837 (Encyclopedia 2). This in itself persuaded colleges, and fraternities alike to evaluate all the possibilities they could be missing out on by not tolerating gifted African-Americans like Smith due to the color of their skin. Even New York abolished