February is Black History Month, and a perfect opportunity to spotlight black excellence – great inventors, leaders, social reformers, entertainers, and freedom fighters.  Often, we view this last group through the lens of social activism – people who sought equality under the law.  But African Americans have been safeguarding physical freedom as long as this country has existed, from the opening shots of the American Revolution, and the vigilance of black soldiers should not be forgotten. During demonstrations against the British in Massachusetts in 1770, sailor Crispus Attucks, an unarmed protestor, became the first American martyr when he was shot down by British troops.  Four other Americans died in the shooting, which touched off the Revolutionary War.  His body lay … Continued