"What President-elect Barack Obama's historic election means to me".
Personally
I had my doubts, then again I had the same doubts about African in South Africa, I was wrong then and glad I was wrong this time...
Thanks God our youth have finally found their voices, alone with those of their well meaning parents.
Yes, IT WAS WHITE FOLKS that selected Obama to be nominated on the Democratic ticket... It was mostly them that volunteered and donated money to his compaign funds. We, us Black folks, jumped on the bandwagon after his selection and authentication by white folks. Which is good. Credit be given to those that deserves it the most. Not like during the struggle for the civil-rights we now enjoy, when in reality only a few stuck their necks out, like taking part in the marching, the water hoses, attack dogs, jails , etc. Yet, when at last the battle was won (to the extent that we now enjoy) the non-warriors were first to come forward with their chests out, wearing their newly purchased dashikis.
OK, enough of that... Now for my opinions, and this is coming from a 75 year old Korean war veteran who at age 17, found himself fighting for his life (as a Combat Infantryman for nine (9) bloody months) in a place he had never heard of before: Korea, 1950/51. During which time I developed not only a soldier's mentality but a political consciousness as well. Hearing older men discussing racial discrimination in both civilian and military life as it was during those times. I began to question the role of my all-black unit in the Korean war. Supposedly we were protecting freedom, justice, and the American way of life, but what was that way of life for blacks people in the United States? Where was the freedom? Why were we the Buffalo Soldiers laying their lives on the line for a country in which we African-American (Negroes then) were sometimes denied even the right to vote? A Black President then was beyond anyone’s imagination. Black or White.
Needless to say, it has restored my hope in our (American) domestic and foreign policy's.
These photos was taken in Chicago during Obama's campaigning for U.S. Senate. Over a period of 4 years...
http://mysankofa.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/obama-in_chicago
Forgotten Warriors. Forgotten Wars.
Artist, Author, Freelance-Photographer
My Online Photo-Galleries;
http://mysankofa.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
In memory of Mama Africa (Marian Makeba)
In memory of Mama Africa (Marian Makeba) I attended the Opera/Play of Margaret Garner last night (11-9-08) and really enjoyed the performers. I am now sharing it with family and friends via my online photo gallery:
http://mysankofa.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/margaret_garner-08
I shot them from the balcony of the Chicago Auditorium. Without flash of course…
Enjoy,..
And may she rest in peace.
http://mysankofa.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/margaret_garner-08
I shot them from the balcony of the Chicago Auditorium. Without flash of course…
Enjoy,..
And may she rest in peace.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:
He'll win this election by 3 to 1.
Trust me.
PS; u'll find some photos of him delivering his victory speech in my online-gallery later tonight;-)
http://mysankofa.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/
He'll win this election by 3 to 1.
Trust me.
PS; u'll find some photos of him delivering his victory speech in my online-gallery later tonight;-)
http://mysankofa.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/
Sunday, October 5, 2008
??? Miracle of Anna (?)-:
Spike Lee’s Movie. St., Miracle of Anna
“here’s My Take”
(for WTTW-CH-11)
As a former Combat Infantryman that served with U. S. Army's last all Black Combat Unit, the 24th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as “BUFFALO SOLDIERS” (Korea 1950 - 1951)
I found most of the War scene not very convincing. And degrading to the memories I have of serving with former members of the 92nd Infantry Division in Korea...
1. They weren't as focused as they would've been under the circumstances. There would have less concern about the racist conditions of the time and more focus on their present surrounding. Like in such a situation (combat patrol) one's six-sense kicks in.
2. No platoon leader, or platoon sergeant nor squad leader would've allowed one of their men to carry alone a 15 or 20 pound head of a marble stature, on a combat patrol. Not only would it had farther endanger his life and mobility, but also those of his companions.
3. No leader would send a civilian to safe guard their position. Like what happen when the platoon sergeant send one of the partisan as lookout.
Or entrusting your weapon to a prostitute.
4. One of the most unimaginable instants, was the German Officer, giving his side arm to a wounded American soldier, to defend himself against his own troops.
5. Also soldiers with loaded weapons in town (the southern ice cream parlor incident) I could see them returning to their base, retaining them, then returning to town.
PS: So, for the above five reasons and Out of respect for many of my fallen-comrades, I could only give the movie 1.1/2 stars...
I guess there's certain guidelines movie maker must follow when making Hollywood war movies. I just don’t know
The most appreciated part of the movie, is the recognition being paid to the African American military achievement during the world war two (WW2) and the 92nd Infantry Division, of which I've had the honor to serve with a few former members during the Korean war. Where I served as a combat Infantry Rifleman, and they as commanding officers.
Its for that reason that I recommend, others see the movie, (Miracle of St. Anna) In the hope that someday, some African American movie maker, and hopefully Spike Lee.
And not allow his wonderful movie making skills, to be trivialized to the point of buffoonery. Just to be accepted if that was the case with Miracle Of Saint Anna.
I am a firm believer that if we (African American) don't tell our stories, we shouldn't expect others to do it.
Still, we should bare in mind that Wars, is no joking matter.
And not to be consumed as presented by HOLLYWOOD USA.
The movie (war scenes) is an insult to the honorable memories of the 92nd Infantry Division "Buffalo-Soldiers"
PS: When our history is concerned, we should always be on the alert for the small things that might be used as a yardstick, to measure the whole
“here’s My Take”
(for WTTW-CH-11)
As a former Combat Infantryman that served with U. S. Army's last all Black Combat Unit, the 24th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as “BUFFALO SOLDIERS” (Korea 1950 - 1951)
I found most of the War scene not very convincing. And degrading to the memories I have of serving with former members of the 92nd Infantry Division in Korea...
1. They weren't as focused as they would've been under the circumstances. There would have less concern about the racist conditions of the time and more focus on their present surrounding. Like in such a situation (combat patrol) one's six-sense kicks in.
2. No platoon leader, or platoon sergeant nor squad leader would've allowed one of their men to carry alone a 15 or 20 pound head of a marble stature, on a combat patrol. Not only would it had farther endanger his life and mobility, but also those of his companions.
3. No leader would send a civilian to safe guard their position. Like what happen when the platoon sergeant send one of the partisan as lookout.
Or entrusting your weapon to a prostitute.
4. One of the most unimaginable instants, was the German Officer, giving his side arm to a wounded American soldier, to defend himself against his own troops.
5. Also soldiers with loaded weapons in town (the southern ice cream parlor incident) I could see them returning to their base, retaining them, then returning to town.
PS: So, for the above five reasons and Out of respect for many of my fallen-comrades, I could only give the movie 1.1/2 stars...
I guess there's certain guidelines movie maker must follow when making Hollywood war movies. I just don’t know
The most appreciated part of the movie, is the recognition being paid to the African American military achievement during the world war two (WW2) and the 92nd Infantry Division, of which I've had the honor to serve with a few former members during the Korean war. Where I served as a combat Infantry Rifleman, and they as commanding officers.
Its for that reason that I recommend, others see the movie, (Miracle of St. Anna) In the hope that someday, some African American movie maker, and hopefully Spike Lee.
And not allow his wonderful movie making skills, to be trivialized to the point of buffoonery. Just to be accepted if that was the case with Miracle Of Saint Anna.
I am a firm believer that if we (African American) don't tell our stories, we shouldn't expect others to do it.
Still, we should bare in mind that Wars, is no joking matter.
And not to be consumed as presented by HOLLYWOOD USA.
The movie (war scenes) is an insult to the honorable memories of the 92nd Infantry Division "Buffalo-Soldiers"
PS: When our history is concerned, we should always be on the alert for the small things that might be used as a yardstick, to measure the whole
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Born Again As a Freelance Photographer.
65 years ago (75 now) I decided that the Art's, would be the essence of my life and livelihood then (1965) I took a 3 week vacation to Africa, that lasted 11 years... WHICH WAS LIKE BEING BORN AGAIN. The rest is history. There I was taught the traditional African art of cow horn and ivory carving, a skill which enable me to be self-employed and employer. Now since retiring, I am devoting the remaining days of my life to travel and photography. revisiting some of the beautiful places I’’ve been blessed to visit during my youth.
When time permits please view my website below:
http://mysankofa.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/kojoman68
Also:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Qsh_IadOKEcC&pg==PA109&sig==hZnBUBq41jf1wwdJ2IpIGqjM7h4&source==bmap&bkcxt==15&q==%22Ashiya%22#PPP1,M1
My African journey:
http://journals.aol.com/agogoman76/MySankofa-Adventures/
A parting shot: TRAVEL & SEE FOR YOURSELF.
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