Black History?

I can't say I've been watching the Winter Olympic games because basically just looking at all that snow and ice gives me the chills. That's not entertaining to me. So I was completely caught off guard when I got the news about Speedskater Shani Davis, the first African-American athlete to capture an individual gold medal in the Winter Olympics four years ago and repeat the feat in this years games. All while rocking a "leave nothing to the imagination" body suit. Oooow!
Like many other African Americans I'm overcome with pride for his accomplishments but part of me feels like he's not the first Black Speed Skater. In honor of black history month I want to share the story of Esra Smith, a hardworking family man caught in the brutal winter storm of 1940 in Acadiana Louisiana.
After a fresh 13" of snow fell over the small town, Esra Smith, was forced out into the elements to get some food for his family. Due to the heavy snowfall he discovered the only way into town was to cross a "WHITE'S ONLY" pond used in the summer months for swimming. After he scowered the area for any passers and said a prayer for his life, Esra stepped onto the ice. 
"What you doin boy?" Esra heard just moments later as he fought to keep his balance on the slick surface. The chill of death ran up his spine as he turned to see 4 whites approaching the edge of the pond like a pack of wolves searching for a kill.  Esra began to widen his strides and skate for dear life. "We're gonna get you boy! We're gonna kill you!" they yelled as they took to the ice and started after him. Esra kicked it into high gear and was on the other side of the 1/2 mile pond in 45 sec. Setting a unrecorded record as the fastest and first black speed skater. Then he found a large stick and whacked the ice until it crack sending his pursuers under the water and to their death. He wiped his prints from the stick and ran off like his life depended on it because Lord knows it did.
Shout out to Esra and Shani for making Black History!