Eyes on the Stars
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ม.ค. 2025
- On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a kid with big dreams in Lake City, South Carolina.
Funding Provided by:
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
National Endowment for the Arts
In partnership with POV.
Directed by: The Rauch Brothers
Art Direction: Bill Wray
Producers: Lizzie Jacobs & Mike Rauch
Animation: Tim Rauch
Audio Produced by: Michael Garofalo
Supervising Sound Recordist: Elaine Davenport
Music: Fredrik
Label: The Kora Records
Publisher: House of Hassle
Please tell us about your StoryCorps viewing experience: bit.ly/2wfcUS9
Saying "I'll wait" to a threat to being arrested at the age of 9 is a whole new level of savagery.
Can 9-year-olds even get arrested back then
@@TheFerretofEarth Aye. Kids have always been yeeted in the slammer.
I can’t believe he managed to Lift him self to the counter. with the weight of his balls
He simply had dignity and optimism.
@@TheFerretofEarth from what my grandfather told me yes, but I'm not sure if he was Over exaggerating or telling the truth
"And he got to be aboard his own Starship Enterprise."
~nearly crying~ right in the feels, man...
If it actually had been the "Enterprise" space shuttle, then this video would've just wrecked my heart.
Ye.
I know that this comment is 2 years old now but, if it makes you feel better he really did make it on board his very own starship Enterprise. Dr. McNair was a Mission Specialist on STS-41B, orbited Earth 128 times, and travelled 3,311,380 miles in space. He made it.
Even the cops are like “Ma’am even by 1959 standards you’re just being racist for no reason”
Lmao that lady should've got a ticket for wasting their time
There's always a point where you just have to ask yourself:
"Who gives a shit? Just give him the books."
A lot times its just that "one person" who has to ruin it
cat yea I always ask myself who gives a shit just give him the books.
segregation stoped around 1962
"Well, when I was nine years old Star Trek came on. I looked at it and I went screaming through the house, 'Come here, mum, everybody, come quick, come quick, there's a black lady on television and she ain't no maid!' I knew right then and there I could be anything I wanted to be."
-Whoopi Goldberg
amen to that lol
She became Guinan on Star Trek New Generation. Roddenberry had a different character in mind but when she told him she wanted in, he rewrote the character for her. Her 9 year old self must have gone screaming through the house again. When Star Trek aired, interracial couples legally married in one State could be jailed in another State. Thankfully a fan convinced Nichols to stay - th-cam.com/video/pqoZ0C0cnRE/w-d-xo.html
that I will keep in the back of my mind five(ever)(thats longer than fourever).
You know it’s crazy she was going to leave after the first season but one of her fans convince her to stay. guess who what was the fan Martin Luther King Junior
And the black lady was sexy as hell
“He sat up on the counter and said: “I’ll wait” what a bada$$
Super Spoops
As a nine year-old, he probably didn't realise that what he was doing annoyed the others so much.
He knew he was black and that everyone else in the library was white, and that was it.
"Science possibility" oh that makes me wanna cry so much. He sounded like a fine, intelligent man.
Those cops were surprisingly ahead of their time.
Ahead of ours too.
godofimagination somewhat ahead of our time
fretless58 Heck yeah they were
fretless58 If this was even more south, like Alabama, it would've been far different.
We're still in the Stone Age.
It made me happy when the cops didn't do anything troubling.
...
+The Silent Warrior Me too. They just saw a little black kid and thought "He's just a kid. What's the problem?"
+The Silent Warrior surprisingly, nobody died. Shocking, I know.
I was shocked by that. But also happy. Not all cops are mindless goons.
same here
"I saw it as science fiction, he saw it as science possibility."
That's such a great line!
There's actually a high school named after him in my hometown. & Im so glad I watched this to get a better understanding of him :)
Yes mine too. Is it in New Jersey,Jersey City.
We'd have a lot fewer scientists nowadays if it weren't for Star Trek.
Fair point.
Makes one want to right hook all the Flat Earthers in the world.
That's the funny thing with imagination. You don't get a group of men to build a boat by teaching them how to build a boat, you teach them how to long for the unknown on the other side of the water
@Greg Alpacca it was in a Vsauce video about supertasks
True
Woah. When I was in elementary school, our teacher told us that public libraries were never segregated. I've believed that for like 13 or 14 years, until I saw this video, and looked it up further. Goddamn the US educational system!
Roy Staggers 20 years old, and yes, but in K-8, they basically only told us enough about Jim Crow and segregation to understand who MLK was and what he did. What happened was in around the 4th grade, we read a short story as a class, which was supposed to be based on a true story. It was about a black girl who gets turned down everywhere, including a political rally, due to segregation, then winds up at a non-segregated public library. Then, our teacher told us that public libraries were never segregated. Wasn't in the actual curriculum, admittedly (but again there wasn't much on it to begin with) but it's what the teacher told us. This sure isn't the first time a public school teacher taught me stuff that later turned out to not at all be true. I learned more about it in high school, but I took AP US History. I have no clue what they were taught in the normal classes.
Reminds me of when teachers repeatedly told us that their were no black people in Nazi Germany. Don't always believe teachers or books.
*whispers in your ear*
no black folk in military service in the European theater of the German Reich.
Taylor Avalos if you think US education is bad you have to came for Brazil
yeah teachers hide the truth just like they're trying to hide the civil war
I have fallen in love with this story. This story has touched me the most as I experienced laughter, joy, sadness, and most of all inspiration. Thank you Storycorps for sharing a remarkable inspirational story once again.
Rest In Peace Dr Ronald E. McNair🌷
PrettyMuchAnything TV Sundays at Rocco's was pretty sad as well. Quite a few of these have gotten me teary-eyed.
My favorite StoryCorps story. I wanted to be an astronaut too. The space program was going at full boil at the time, but it was also the 1960s, and everyone laughed and told me girls couldn't be astronauts. So when I watched my first episode of Star Trek and saw Lt. Uhuru--on the bridge! with the men! and when she spoke, they had to listen to her!--I felt almost vindicated.
Unfortunately I didn't have Ronald McNair's tenacity. I listened to the naysayers and gave up that dream. I was also told that girls couldn't be veterinarians or go on the radio. So when I got to college, I was determined to be a DJ on the student radio station. I'd put on my headphones, straighten my mic, and channel my inner Uhuru.For a lot of us, that show was like a message in a bottle that miraculously washed up at our feet, and the message was, "Someday ... "
It makes me happy to know we travel the stars all together as human beings, that's the way it was always meant to be. Something that was thought so impossible, now a complete reality and it is wonderful!
Oh shut up. You white females don't deserve respect. You have been the most privileged in society. Damn hacks
+ruskodisco As a Native American, I want to tell you to shut up.
well written :)
It's never too late.
Memory eternal to American Hero.. I am Russian. I admire him.
*Vladimir Putin would like to know your location*
@@largeone923 I dont think this is the place for jokes like that
@@largeone923 okay now ur just being a douche
As an American, I have Yuri Gagarin's first radio transmission - Поехали! - as a stenciled sticker on my motorcycle helmet.
@@thetower5265 this aged poorly
I'm grateful for the policeman that stood up (it just shows what's possible when we speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves 🇺🇸) I wondered if the police officer ever realized what his act of kindness accomplished in Ron McNair's life😊
I love this. As a young blerd, Dr. McNair was one of my heroes when I was 14. One of the first black astronauts!
I'm an African male who also dreamed of being an astronaut and growing up I watched Star Trek daily and still do this today. I love this thank you for posting it.
Ronald is up there in the heavens with the Stars now!
I cried at school when they showed this to us my teacher asked why and I said I had something in my eye ...
That's so touching. My teacher showed us this too us too, and she also talked about the day she was in high school and she was in class watching the explosion of the Challenger live. :'(
Aww That was a adorable story. Something that needs to be shared with the way things are going today. Ronald McNair, the man who had a dream. Reached for the stars, and touched them.
This brought me to tears. It's a love letter to his brother. Beautiful.
This made me cry. I was watching the tv in my dorm room when this happened. I (strangely) didn't cry at the time. Now, looking back, I realize I was in shock. But this video, today, with his obviously proud brother telling the story of young Ron, and the way the video ended, brought tears. Well done.
I have family in Lake City and Ron McNair truly is the Pride of Lake City, SC. This was awesome!!
These never fail to make me smile and cry
May Dr. McNair forever rest in Glory.
I feel terrible for thinking that those cops might do something to the kid.
Glad I was wrong. Also, that librarian is so mean!!!!
Glasses Guy
Well, this was 1959. That librarian was probably born somewhere during the late 1890's or early 1900's, and was most probably like so many fellow white Americans of her time.
Briseur De Lance It doesn’t matter when she was born, she’s nasty.
@@Sweetumskitty1789 it's more or less an explanation of character, I'm sure had shed been born in more present she would have a different character
@@Sweetumskitty1789 it quite literally does matter, you cant hold people who grew up in a completely different time to todays standards and morality
I swear I love this so much....
Refusing to give children access to knowledge is unconscionable, more so when for racist reasons. Good on the kid for staying put, and on the cop for standing up for him. Shame on the librarian (A GODDAMN LIBRARIAN!), and whoever decided to racially segregate a library (A GODDAMN LIBRARY!).
Even the cop was like "Lady just give him the books..."
2:56 I turned seven on that day. I wish I could’ve met this man and told him “ i’m glad that there are people is determined is you out there to reach for the stars like me”. May he forever Rest In Peace.
Hey at least he died living his dream, not many people can say they died happy and fulfilled.
The world needs more dreamers...
Seriously crazy how so many of these amazing stories could be turned into a movie/short film
They renamed the library after HIM! LMFAO! Revenge is sweet!
Edit: I should have clarified I meant revenge against the bitch librarian.
Yes, this edit is 3 years too late.
I don't see it as revenge it just shows that this person was a way better person and that many should think like him maybe
Vengeance, then.
rabid rabbitshuggers I see it more like in the end, history wrote itself in the greatest light possible. Revenge always comes at the price in a bad way, this was just always meant to be and is justice. His great life and hard work literally erased hate from his past, a fitting reward in existence if any
rabid rabbitshuggers love it!
Its not a revenge tho its an act to honor the guy
I used to watch these videos when I was 13 years old I’m 20 now and I still get the same goose bumps I used to get back then from these story’s the animations make you feel like there with the storyteller it’s amazing
I'm still crying because Ronald is my uncle
I’m so sorry for your loss, I hope your family is doing well in this very hard time and are at least taking some solace in all the joy your father and uncle brought through this story. 💙
Thank you so much
The walking animation is what sold me.
While do I love him walking so much?? That animation of him as a little boy is so cute!
My solace is that he died during his second mission, which means he got to experience space during his first
What a story! A true American hero. Was in sixth grade when he died. Like everyone else I’ll never forget it. Never knew about Ron’s childhood and the adversity he faced growing up. Respect.
Ronald McNair you did it man you accomplished your dream we're proud of you Thank you for sharing his story I love these stories there always so touching and the animation is amazing please keep it up
I was going through and re-watching old StoryCorps videos and I clicked on this one on, of all days, January 28th, 2022. This one's to you Ron o7
Even on my worst days these stories bring a smile to my face, even the sad ones. Real stories from real people sharing their memories, something nice about all of that
These people's stories are always do great. Don't stop getting people's stories, storycorp! We really appreciate them
Salute to Dr. Ronald E. McNair
What a wonderful story - I cheered when he said 'I'll wait' :)
My dad was a kid when Star Trek first came on the air
Who ever dislike this and all storycorp video has no feelling of love in them
My father always speaks about watching The Challenger launch when we was in 3rd grade i think. He said they rolled in the old t.v and put it on the channel where they televised the launch. He said he remembered the rocket launching and it exploding. He says to this day it was one of the most scarring things he'd seen in his life. Especially since NASA was a highly respected and looked up to thing at that time.
Best thing I've seen on the web in a while. RIP Ronald, be free among the stars.
Finally animated story that doesn’t sound fake or like some sort of movie
Are you, talking generally or just from this channel? Because either way, this comment is weird.
David Paul this channel
@@dpslaughter1898 Ok, what about this story makes it seem anymore real or less like a movie than the rest?
David Paul well I’m talking about all of the stories on this channel sounds real it doesn’t sound like some romance or thriller or action comedy all of the stories told on the channel amsound real and motivating which is why I like this channel because of all of the motivating experiences these people have lived thru and shared with us
Grew up in Lake City and visited the same library growing up. Feels nice to see something about our quiet little middle of nowhere town
That story was so great, brought a tear to my eye that he was such a positive kid. At least you died doing what he loved, RIP Mr. McNair.
This story breaks my heart....
Ronald E Mcnair is a true American hero
We drive through McNair's home town (and the street named after him) several times a year on our way to visit my husband's family. Every time I think of this video and of the awesome man he was.
I was teary eyed when he said:
"And he got to be aboard his own Starship Enterprise."
What a sad and adorable story.
Finally a storycorps vid that doesn't have me short circuiting my computer with tears! This was a really cool one
When I saw the name of the spaceship, I screamed no because it was the challenger, and the challenger exploded..
I feel all tingly after these stories because of how much emotion you can hear in these peoples voices and stories, whether it be sad or happy or just a loving tone. Thank you so much for these they are truly amazing and I love listening to them.
Beautiful i wish his family would write a childrens books just like this for our kids to read
There is a book about the story named “Ron’s Big Mission” that is for kids
Thank You StoryCorps & Carl McNair for telling Ronald E. McNair story. Rest In Paradise Mr. McNair.
Me: Aww, this one is wholesome. He fulfilled his dream. *Sees the Challenger Shuttle at the end* ... Do you feel good about making me hurt inside?
Also: I always skip past the beginning summaries in these videos. I see them as spoilers.
Well he made it into space before. His last mission wasn't his first mission into space.
kinda weird to talk about actual dead ppls life stories like serialized anime
I did not expect to cry today. What a tragedy that he died on that shuttle. I’m happy he got to become what he wanted
beautiful and inspiring... you can be anything you want. Thank you for sharing his story
And my eyes are crying this is so wholesome. I love that he wasn't hurt or bothered he just chilled there politely.
Prior to his death, Ronald was a Mission Specialist aboard the Challenger in 1984. He had gone into space once before that final mission two years later.
watching this at midnight (exactly 12:00) on January 28th RIP Ronald and other challenger crew members
I saw a small clip of this on Instagram and I had to watch the rest of it. Thank God it’s on TH-cam. It’s great that the little boy in the story grew up to be an astronaut. That’s amazing but it’s sad he died on the Challenger. I heard about that incident in the past. 😓
I just want to give a tip of the hat to whoever animated the walk cycle for young Ronald at the beginning. Adorable!
Thank you for posting this again. We just finished with Civil Rights and will discussing the Space Race shortly. My students will like this.
I wana watch this again -n- again -n- again!!!
Although I suppose it’s not likely, I truly hope with all of my heart that the old hag-of-a-librarian somehow discovered that the little Black boy whom she once attempted to deny the joy of reading, grew up to become a frickin’ *ASTRONAUT!*
2:41 I wish more people thought like Ronald and teach their kids to think the same.
So mint! This story is awesome, and something we don't get in school. Beautiful animation as well! The real stories of a pioneer & dreamer... not dreamer, but doer! This channel rocks!
These stories make me cry all the time, but they're so wonderful at the same time. Bravo StoryCorps!
these are making me cry stop it
I've been watching StoryCorps for years. Great stories. Don't understand why they don't have millions of subscribers.
"Thank ya ma'am!" So cute
I think he knew exactly what would happen at the library, truly smart
I actually saw this one at school...I loved it. Im glad theres a whole bunch of these relatable and touching stories out here
+1 Sub ^^
I'm watching Netflix Challenger series and as soon as McNair was mentioned I immediately remembered this Story Corps video. I had to come back and re-watch this. Such an extraordinarily talented and quiet man. Such a loss. :(
this was beautiful
I really wish a movie was made of this incredible story. Its so emotional and inspiring, showing the best of the human spirit and its tenacity. The fact that he stood in the face of adversity and racism yet persevered is beautiful. The slight compassion shown by the police. The love and pride which the brother tells the story. Its all amazing.
Those cops would make a great difference nowadays
our community recently lost a very bright light, I really didn't know him well but his passion and love effected everyone, he was too young, he was a junior at our west High school but his legacy will live on. These story corps help me cope with this loss so thank you so much Storycorp for bringing perspective into my life and showing me that we can all recover. We will miss our classmate a lot but he is never really gone if we keep his legacy strong
So sad what happened to him, but hey, he got to live his dream.
I think it's a good reminder that only 63 years ago, people would call the police if a nine year old kid wanted to check out books from a library. Our rights and equality should not be taken for granted, nor should we despair at how we do not live in the perfect world but continue to challenge systemic racism. Today might not be perfect but tomorrow could be.
I don't understand why people thumbs downed the video???
Because people like to be assholes that's why
Because racism, that's why
Because it's their choice to give it that rating, that's why.
They're mad that Dr. McNair accomplished more in his short life than they ever will. Petty, but some people are like that.
Sometimes it’s just dislike bots
That's an amazing story. Never back down, never give up.
"If you are prevented from excelling by someone, do it anyway and come back with the "how'd you like that?" attitude. Just make sure you got your pointer finger stretched, Big'un."
-J.W. Cletus
He may have died, but he died making his dream come true. Not just his dream, but the dreams of countless others before and after. That’s a good life.
"I'll wait"
What a Little Chad.
Please make more of these! The laughs, tears, and heartfelt stories are amazing ;-; I can't get enough of these.
I had a coworker who claimed the Challenger disaster was faked and all of the astronauts are still alive under different names.
I think I fucking hate him.
What would NASA or anyone else have to gain from that?
I think this is one of my favs from the series, but they are all very well done.
Beautiful story!
I just love how Ron hopped on the counter and waited for the cops to arrive. That must've really ticked that librarian off, like "the nerve." Good for you Ron! ❤🙏R.I.P.
"I'll wait"- Ron McNair
Me and my class watched this AND I WANNA WATCH IT AGAIN AND I AMMM