I was going to save this for later today, but I may not be around and it looks like we could use an open thread.
In this file photo, sculptor Ed Dwight poses for a portrait to promote the
National Geographic documentary film “The Space Race”, Feb. 8, 2024.
Ed Dwight, a Denver-based sculptor who earlier in his life was America’s first Black astronaut candidate, finally rocketed into space 60 years later, flying with Jeff Bezos’ rocket company on Sunday.
Dwight was an Air Force pilot when President John F. Kennedy championed him as a candidate for NASA’s early astronaut corps. But he wasn’t picked for the 1963 class.
After that near-miss, Dwight pursued several careers before breaking out as a sculptor. His works, both public monuments and gallery pieces, focus on remembering and celebrating Black history and culture. Among his public commissions are the Underground Railroad monument in Battle Creek, Michigan, and a series of sculptures memorializing jazz greats at the St. Louis Arch museum.
On his flight this Sunday, Dwight, now 90, went through a few minutes of weightlessness with five other passengers aboard the Blue Origin capsule as it skimmed space on a roughly 10-minute flight. He called it “a life changing experience.” Read more here
90-year-old Ed Dwight rocketed into space this weekend more than six decades after he became the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate.
Meet NS-25 astronaut Ed Dwight, a former United States Air Force Captain who was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 as the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate.
From Senator Michael Bennet Press Release:
Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse Introduce Bill to Honor Edward J. Dwight, Jr. with Congressional Gold Medal
On Sunday, America’s First African American Astronaut Candidate Became the Oldest Person to Travel to Space
Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse introduced the Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 to honor the life and legacy of Ed Dwight Jr. days before he made history at 90-years-old as the oldest person on Earth to travel to space upon Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft.
Dwight first made history in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy invited him to join the U.S. Air Force’s astronaut training program as the country’s first African American astronaut candidate. However, he was never granted the opportunity to fly to space due to racism within the program. After completing his military service, Dwight moved to Denver, where he became an IBM engineer. He later opened a restaurant and worked as a real estate developer before pursuing his passion for sculpting full-time. Today, Dwight’s sculptures are collected by museums, institutions, and art enthusiasts around the world, including the Smithsonian. The Congressional Gold Medal would recognize Dwight’s historic service, example of excellence despite adversity, and contributions to art and Black history.
“Ed Dwight is one of our country’s greatest living legends,” said Bennet. “Despite racism and prejudice, Ed never stopped reaching higher and became a trailblazer in the worlds of art, science, aviation, and now, space travel. His successes are Colorado’s successes. It is a privilege to one day recognize Ed’s place in American history with the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress.”
“Colorado’s Ed Dwight made history in 1961 when he was the first African American considered to be an astronaut,” said Hickenlooper. “Yesterday he made history again as the oldest person to go to space!”
“While serving our country in the United States Air Force, Ed Dwight Jr. broke barriers by becoming the first African American to enter a training program from which NASA selected potential astronauts. In the years since his time in service, he’s continued to make his mark on our nation—producing notable sculptures of historic Black Americans that are now landmarks in communities across the country, including the city of Denver. As he fulfills his life-long dream and rocket into space, I am honored to be leading an effort with Senator Bennet to award Ed with a Congressional Gold Medal,” said Neguse.
“Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate deserves to receive the Congressional Gold Metal,” said Patricia Duncan, Colorado activist and author. “Senator Bennet’s bill will honor a man who lived out [his] lifelong dream by going up in space as [Ed] continues to be a mentor to Astronaut Victor J. Glover who will be going to the moon in the future. [This bill] awards a humble man receiving all the recognition [he has] earned and deserves.”
“I would like to sincerely thank Senator Bennet for recognizing and acknowledging my father, Ed Dwight’s contributions to Colorado, our culture, and the country as a whole,” said Tamara Rhone, Ed Dwight’s daughter. “It means so much to me and my family as I know he appreciates that he is not forgotten in this journey to be a positive example for others to follow.”
In 2020, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Jay Raymond presented Dwight with the Commander’s Public Service Award and inducted him as an honorary member of the Space Force, for his contributions to the United States, space, and history.
Open thread
ETA from Tom Levenson
This is great news.
I highly recommend this NYTimes Op-Doc film on Dwight by Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot. (Maybe elevate to the post?)
I teach this film most years. (Proudfoot’s work is really good—check out his other Op-Docs.)
Baud
Nice. Glad to see some good come out of a Bezos project.
Villago Delenda Est
Racist Rethuglican scum have no problem with Nazi fuckstick Limbaugh getting a Presidential Medal of Freedom, but will object to Dwight getting a Congressional Gold Medal. Yes, I’m cynical.
Spanky
Um, you bolded
Anything you want to tell us?
Baud
@Spanky:
Next, Great Danes in Space!
TaMara
@Spanky: I did not bold, it came that way. 😉 Although, I’d be happy to meet the entire family.
There go two miscreants
Encouraging to see that at 90 he is healthy enough to take the acceleration of the launch. His artwork looks good too!
TaMara
@Baud: Someone actually illustrated that.
Baud
@TaMara:
Needs more zero gravity in the face.
Old Man Shadow
That’s sweet. I’m glad he finally had a chance to go.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@TaMara:
Cool art piece
trollhattan
@Baud: Bezos remains not-Musk, so still has that going for him.
Can we exchange our billionaires for a less-weird set?
Ohio Mom
“This place is workable. Let’s make it work.”
I would not ever have imagined our planet being described as “workable,” but put that way, I guess, yes it is. And we should make it work.
He’s a wise man.
3Sice
@Villago Delenda Est:
In 1937 his father led the Negro American League in stolen bases. MLB got around to acknowledging that in 2020.
Spanky
@Baud: Slobber in zero G!
rikyrah
Astronaut to sculptor.
Sure, that’s an obvious career path…
wow…
SiubhanDuinne
What a wonderful story. Lovely man.
Nukular Biskits
Posts like this are one of the reasons Balloon Juice has been my favorites!
TBone
@3Sice: holy cow *facepalm
TaMara
I’m listening to a Hozier Tiny Desk concert right now. Can’t believe Take Me To Church was 10 yrs ago and I’m obsessed with his new Too Sweet.
He and Teddy Swims have been on repeat for me the last month or so.
TaMara
@3Sice:
@TBone:
Celebrations of these accomplishments are inevitably a reminder of our failures as a society, and I’m okay with that. We need to remember…
Jackie
@3Sice: Very COOL! I’m glad he was recognized – although sooner would have been appreciated. Too many star players from the Negro Leagues get recognized AFTER death 😢
Jackie
OT, but just saw that Georgia’s Primary is TODAY:
Let’s hope both win their primaries YUUUGLY!🤞🏻
TBone
Fucker Snarlson made it official: he’s now hosting a show on Russian TV
*another facepalm
https://crooksandliars.com/2024/05/tucker-carlson-begins-hosting-program
Redshift
This is an awesome story, thanks!
Jackie
@TBone: Is it a subscription only program? It would be GOLDEN if a list of paid subscribers was publicly available!
Tom Levenson
This is great news.
I highly recommend this NYTimes Op-Doc film on Dwight by Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot. (Maybe elevate to the post?)
I teach this film most years. (Proudfoot’s work is really good—check out his other Op-Docs.)
smedley the uncertain
@Baud: Marmaduke is 100 years old.
TaMara
@Tom Levenson: Done!
trollhattan
Evidently the new strategy is “War? We know nothing of any war. Who said there’s a war?”
TBone
@Jackie:
TBone
@trollhattan: that’s all kinds of fucked up
TheronWare
Mr Dwight is in great shape for age 90! Love his story, good on him.
Brachiator
I remember reading about Ed Dwight many years ago. Good to see him being recognized and celebrated.
rikyrah
@TBone:
Because, of course
Eunicecycle
This was such a nice story to read, about a wonderful man and human that didn’t let adversity stop him.