On Saturday, January 21, 2011, I went to see the movie Red Tails with two of the original Tuskegee Airmen. I met them at one of my friend’s church in Arlington Virginia. One was slightly taller than the other. One was of a lighter skin complexion and the other was more or a chocolate tone. They both wore their original airmen jackets there were army green with emblems located on the sleeve.
After meeting at the Arlington church, went to see the movie the Red Tails at the Hoffman movie theatre in Alexandria, Virginia. I enjoyed the movie because it showed bravery in that you don’t see an all black cast in a movie on a regular basis. Tyler Perry just recently released a statement “There on the verge of becoming extinct.” I agree with this statement because you don’t really have too many film makers like George Lucas that are ready to hear the controversy and go about making an all star black cast.
Perry also said “Red Tails is an important story about, not just black history, but American history about the Tuskegee Airmen.” I’ve never heard of the Tuskegee Airmen until I watched this movie. The movie helped me to understand the reason why black pilots are even allowed to fly. It is because of the Tuskegee Airmen.
I attend a predominantly white school and we speak over 40 different languages. I’m not aware of a lot of black history. All I know is mainly what I’m taught through listening to stories from elders, or doing my own personal research. I had never heard of the Tuskegee Airmen. The only pilots, I was familiar with was Amelia Earhart and The Wrights Brothers.
I didn’t really look at it as such an honor to be around the pilots because I wasn’t aware of who they were and how important they were until I got home. Once I got home my mom informed me of what they had done.
Now that I am aware of who they are I wish I would of taken the time to ask them some questions on their experience. I did some research that told me all about them. They were great men that made a difference by being the first all black American fighters in World War II and I’m proud that I got the opportunity to shake their hands.
When you meet someone of any form of historic relevance take the time to ask questions and soak up any information you can receive from them. It could help you to become wiser knowing information about your ancestors and people who made a change in America.
Written By: Dae’Jah Cymone, Teen Contributor
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Wow! Yes! You’ve been exposed to some great brothers! So glad you mom updated you about them. I Ebert to Tuskegee University for a year & a half. That is where I learned most of my black History too! Feel free ask me a couple of questions about who I learned about in my Tuskegee experience. William L Dawson was one of my favorites that I learned about. He was a musician, & writer. He wrote songs like “Ezekiel Saw the Wheel,” Soon Ah Will be Done,” & Mary Had A Baby.” Thanks so much for sharing you experience Dae!
I will give her the message! She needs more history lessons.
Wow! Yes! You’ve been exposed to some great brothers! So glad your mom updated you about them. I went to Tuskegee University for a year & a half. That is where I learned most of my black History too! Feel free ask me a couple of questions about who I learned about in my Tuskegee experience. William L Dawson was one of my favorites that I learned about. He was a musician, & writer. He wrote songs like “Ezekiel Saw the Wheel,” Soon Ah Will be Done,” & Mary Had A Baby.” Thanks so much for sharing your experience Dae!