WACs relaxing after a day’s work *
What you answer to is something else.
– Lucille Clifton
Citizen
Ratified in 1868, three years after the abolishment of slavery, the 14th Amendment served a revolutionary purpose — to define African Americans as equal citizens under the law.
Bicentennial
Exactly fifty years ago, I was in Paris, France. It was ironic that the country was simultaneously celebrating the American bicentennial. I was stationed in Augsburg, Germany and had time off on July 4th. A group of us took a bus from the base to Paris. Our plan was to enjoy a weekend there of fun and to bask in the glow of the festivities.
An overnight trip enabled us to arrive in Paris at dawn. Our first glance out of the windows of the bus was a man on his balcony welcoming the day “naked to the world”, in the middle of his ablutions, stretching and saluting the sun. He did not have a care in the world! Hello Paris.
We did not hear mention of global warming, then, but the temperature was extreme. The bus was hot. We were hot. Everything was hot. And (no surprise to those who know), a cold drink of water was not to be had.
We arrived at the hotel anticipating washing up and maybe getting a short nap before enjoying Paris during this very quick weekend.
Well, we ran into a snag. Ironically, the hotel cleaners were on strike. Our rooms, therefore, would not be ready for check-in. No rooms, no water, no baths… oh dear. No one had any idea when the action would end.
The situation was quite painfully funny. Two black men, John Carlos and Tommy Williams, raised their fists** at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Their meaning-filled gesture caused a worldwide horror furor. It was pointedly portrayed as the equivalent of the event that was used as an excuse for WW1. The two men were the blueprint and suffered for it.
Any such protest, at first thought, is very American, but it was actually quite French. It was the blueprint for the fledgling Americans who engaged in a revolution in 1776 to free itself from the British. They eventually succeeded in freeing the few “representing” the many.
Not everyone (the many) was free or even considered human for reasons of economy, religion, greed and immorality. And the rights to land, free movement and speech, were withheld from those (the many) who did 100% of the work in building the young country.
Just like that, there did not seem to be a reason to joyfully celebrate this bicentennial. I think the French people were enjoying it more than we were. There were fireworks, crowds, and numerous references to America’s birthday.
Several hours later, the strike was suddenly pronounced over. Eventually, we got into our rooms and bounced around Paris for a while before it was time to check out of the hotel and bus it back to Germany.
Sesquicentennial
I’ve lived a whole life in those fifty years since then. Experienced much, observed a lot… good and bad… in this country and beyond. We lost leaders, men and women, who were not so far removed from a war that purportedly freed us. They shed their blood and sweat and tears.
•
they ask me to remember
but they want me to remember
their memories
and I keep on remembering mine
– Lucille Clifton
Human
Our European brethren betrayed their own ideals while relentlessly referencing two of the world’s greatest tennis players, Venus and Serena Williams, as less than human. The irony today is their historic doubles match is slated to be played at Wimbledon’s centre court. They live and continue to thrive, not just survive in the sport and in life. And they tweaked the blueprint for us to use in these current changing times.
There is a future being planned.
Will you be a part of it?
Baadaye
Shirley J🌹
* image: Eight servicewomen of the Medical Section, 3561st Service Unit, Women’s Army Corps (formerly Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) playing outside with one of the small dog mascots, possibly “Corporal Khaki”, kept by the WACs at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. (No. 113 J) The Medical Section of the 3561st Service Unit was composed of African-American women who worked as ambulance drivers, ward attendants, clerks, typists, librarians, and medical assistants and technicians in the Station Hospital. (creator: Moriarty, William John; Collection: Indiana State Library and Historical Bureau; 22June 1943)
** read: 1968 Black Power Salute at the Olympics
