Black History Month: Remembering Dr. Ralph Bunche

Library of Congress

In celebration of Black History Month AARP is recognizing  Black Americans who have achieved phenomenal “firsts.” In this spirit, AARP in Los Angeles is sharing their stories here on our blog, as well as inviting followers on social media to share their own stories.

This week we’re looking toward history to remember Dr. Ralph Bunche (1904 – 1971), the first Black American to win the Nobel Peace prize. In addition, years before Dr. Bunche received this highly esteemed international recognition for his role as a U.N. mediator in the Middle East, he was also the first Black American to earn a PhD in political science from an American university and the first Black American to hold a top job in the State Department.

Although Dr. Bunche is remembered for his international work, the acclaimed political scientist, academic and graduate of South LA’s Jefferson High School was also committed to upholding civil rights in the United States and participated in both the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama march in 1965.

Dr. Bunche’s legacy has continued to influence international diplomacy since his death in 1971. In fact, Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shared the following quote from Dr. Bunche during a UN meeting in 2008:

“I have a deep-seated bias against hate and intolerance. I have a bias against racial and religious bigotry. I have a bias against war and a bias for peace. I have a bias that leads me to believe in the essential goodness of my fellow men; which leads me to believe that no problem of human relations is ever insoluble”.