On Meeting Gen. Davis : “i Ain’t Colored Like The Rest Of You Fellas, I Am A Differen

[ct123]

MY GRANDFATHER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS RECALLED TO ME THE STORY OF HOW HE GOT TO MEET GEN. BENJAMIN DAVIS, SR., THE FIRST BLACK GENERAL IN U.S. MILITARY HISTORY…IN 1940, HE WAS APPOINTED BRIGADIER GENERAL OF THE U.S. ARMY BY U.S. PRES. FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT…THE APPOINTMENT WAS CONSIDERED AN UNPOPULAR MOVE BY MANY IN THE U.S. AND CREATED A LOT OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL PROTEST AND CONTROVERSY FOR MANY WHITE AMERICANS…HOWEVER TO MANY BLACK AMERICANS LIKE MY U.S. SOUTHERN BORNED AND RAISED GRANDFATHER , THEY SAW GEN. DAVIS AS A SOURCE OF PRIDE AND INSPIRATION AND A MIRACLE WHO WAS A BEAUTIFULLY FORMED ROSE THAT GREW OUT OF THE SEEMINGLY IMPENETRABLE CONCRETE OF UNITED STATES A.K.A. JIM CROW RACISM , INEQUALITY AND SEGREGATION…GEN. DAVIS WAS COLIN POWELL BEFORE THERE WAS A GEN. POWELL!!! BEFORE GEN. DAVIS WAS MADE A GENERAL HE OVERSAW THE NEW YORK 15TH NATIONAL GUARD UNIT IN HARLEM DURING THE 1930S…THE NEW YORK 15TH NATIONAL GUARD UNIT BY THAT TIME WAS KNOWN BY ITS LEGENDARY NICKNAME ‘THE HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS’, A NAME GIVEN TO THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE UNIT BY THE FRENCH BECAUSE THEY SERVED BRAVELY, PROUDLY AND FOUGHT FEROCIOUSLY IN WORLD WAR ONE , NEVER LOSING AN INCH OF GROUND OR FELLOW SOLDIER TO ENEMY CAPTURE…A NATIVE OF WASHINGTON. D.C. , GEN. DAVIS WAS A CAREER SOLDIER’S SOLDIER SERVING HIS COUNTRY HONORABLY AND WITH DISTINCTION FOR SEVERAL DECADES AT HOME AND ABROAD

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Submitted by R2C2H2

[Baba Ahmed]

I have to read what I see and understand while try'n to place the despicable remarks in its proper time and setting.

Comparatively its no big thing what the general is reported to have said. I read that Colin Powell replied to someone who questioned how he felt being among such high powered white boys. Powell: I try not to be TOO BLACK.

Fear can do that to the most publically powerful person...especially a Black one who never saw himself as too Black.

Onanother tip I often wondered what type man Gen. Davis was while I served my foolishly chosen 4 yrs in the usaf. Imagine years after, serving in living color and among many "uncle toms." Proud ones, at that.

[ct123]

Originally Posted by Baba Ahmed

I have to read what I see and understand while try'n to place the despicable remarks in its proper time and setting.

Comparatively its no big thing what the general is reported to have said. I read that Colin Powell replied to someone who questioned how he felt being among such high powered white boys. Powell: I try not to be TOO BLACK.

When my father was telling my son about Gen Davis, he was saying he admired him because you must understand the time. General Davis was doing a time when you didn't call "Blacks' Sir" or when you didn't have to respect them. They didn't like it, but to know they had to bow down to this "Black Man" that had this highest honor gave many of them pride and even thought he was being sarcastic about the question, he wasn't trying to demean them.

[Baba Ahmed]

I understand necessity to consider an occurence's setting, and appreciate your interpretation as viewing Gen. Davis as a hero, afterall he was a "first."

A "first" who's position was carried out as I served 3 yrs, 11 mos and 9 days as a lowly enlisted man, a non commissioned airman. Who stood at attention when this man came to the base I served at. Believe me, I understand the use of context.

[ct123]

Originally Posted by Baba Ahmed

I understand necessity to consider an occurence's setting, and appreciate your interpretation as viewing Gen. Davis as a hero, afterall he was a "first."

A "first" who's position was carried out as I served 3 yrs, 11 mos and 9 days as a lowly enlisted man, a non commissioned airman. Who stood at attention when this man came to the base I served at. Believe me, I understand the use of context.

But your contributions is just as great as the "first". There is no little "me's", everyone is a valuable resource or part of the team.

[Baba Ahmed]

Honestly, any contributions made by me were unintentional. From the time I dropped my right hand and heard a krakkka cuss out all of us and talk 'bout my mama 'n nem, I struggled to get the hell out of yt's armed forces. And gradually realized it was not a war that I consciouslly contributed to. In that sense, to me, the "first" were there to by example influence late comers to give up our lives fighting someone else's wars.

One of my problems was/is I never stopped b n Black! And won't. Colin Powell expressed clearly what some sacrifice to serve their "Uncles Sam" obediently & dutifully. Even his wife warned him to not enter "civilian" politics. His name will be remembered too, no doubt. And I'll remember that he was a spin doctor for his "Uncle Sam," blurring reality after the Mai Lai massacre. The dual souls W.E.B. DuBois spoke and wrote about still exist in too many of us. The "firsts" historically, i.e., those promoted by major media, clearly demonstrate that. Proudly.

Many of our "heroic firsts" are selected by others and publically promoted for us.

[ct123]

Originally Posted by Baba Ahmed

One of my problems was/is I never stopped b n Black! And won't. Colin Powell expressed clearly what some sacrifice to serve their "Uncles Sam" obediently & dutifully. Even his wife warned him to not enter "civilian" politics. His name will be remembered too, no doubt. And I'll remember that he was a spin doctor for his "Uncle Sam," blurring reality after the Mai Lai massacre. The dual souls W.E.B. DuBois spoke and wrote about still exist in too many of us. The "firsts" historically, i.e., those promoted by major media, clearly demonstrate that. Proudly.

Many of our "heroic firsts" are selected by others and publically promoted for us.

I have high respect for General Powell and because he may have been publicly displayed by others, his contributions are many. As he has gotten out of the arm-service and a little before, it seems that he is repenting from some of the things that has been against his principal. He is no longer afraid to be difference from his counterparts, but rather seems to be seeking the true way of telling people the truth. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do in order to benefit the masses.

[Baba Ahmed]

If lying to coverup a deliberate massacre of those Viet Nam villagers is an example of do n something "to benefit the masses," a question arises: who were those nebulous masses? Lying and deceptions are part and parcel of WARS. No problema; I never was in an active exchange of hot lead or burning napalm, e.g. That I in truth don't criticize; from what I've been told war is a real HELL.

Someday someone will write his stories; and I dare say like any other or most career high ranked officers in the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force they are hired professional killers. Now if his media formed heroics were for say one of the many Black 'hoods destroyed during the 1960s revolts? Then I'd consider him or any other soldier or cop truly heros! For yt? Naw. Too many of us have given, and I do mean given their lives for good 'ole uncle sam.

Besides, I don't have an uncle named sam. Im out bruhman and leave u in your admiration for the likes of a former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (a position with mucho power to direct armed forces) and then a Sec'y of State? Well the word secretary itself connotates one who manages secrets.

BTW I earned an honorable "discharge." And to this day, it befuddles me. 'Cause I tried hard to get kik'd out.

[ct123]

Originally Posted by Baba Ahmed

If lying to coverup a deliberate massacre of those Viet Nam villagers is an example of do n something "to benefit the masses," a question arises: who were those nebulous masses? Lying and deceptions are part and parcel of WARS. No problema; I never was in an active exchange of hot lead or burning napalm, e.g. That I in truth don't criticize; from what I've been told war is a real HELL.

Someday someone will write his stories; and I dare say like any other or most career high ranked officers in the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force they are hired professional killers. Now if his media formed heroics were for say one of the many Black 'hoods destroyed during the 1960s revolts? Then I'd consider him or any other soldier or cop truly heros! For yt? Naw. Too many of us have given, and I do mean given their lives for good 'ole uncle sam.

Besides, I don't have an uncle named sam. Im out bruhman and leave u in your admiration for the likes of a former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (a position with mucho power to direct armed forces) and then a Sec'y of State? Well the word secretary itself connotates one who manages secrets.

BTW I earned an honorable "discharge." And to this day, it befuddles me. 'Cause I tried hard to get kik'd out.

They say expression is good for the soul. I am a believer in letting out whatever is bugging, because if you don't it can explode when you don't want to. I appreciate your feedback.

I must admit I am a outsider looking in and don't see what goes on behind close doors. But I also know that we aren't perfect and that we are allowed the opportunity to repent. As I see, General Powell today, he seems to be repenting or trying to make things right. I see him as a man of repentant and wanting to mend a wrong by trying to be truthful as a civilian. He too knows that his life on earth isn't eternal, but rather there is this thing called "death" that is promise to come upon all of us. It is never too late to right a wrong. Also he has done a lot of good for "us" as a race of people with things like United Negro College Fund and other things he participate to bring up our awareness. His background coming up is a lesson for those who dare not to dare. In many cases we to have skeletons in our closet, but because we aren't a public figure, many don't get a chance to examine then.

BTW, I did have an "Uncle" name "Sam", but he has since passed and he was in the Marines as a career. My father got his "Honorable Discharge" after WWII because he didn't find out how serious ill he was until he went to the hospital because of severe headaches he was having and got checked out. He had to have 2 brain surgeries within a month a part (was in the hospital for over 9 months and then had to have major back surgery which was almost another 9 months). My father told us that when they were coming back to the States after WWII that he thought the treatment of blacks would be better, but in return they still were separated from their white counterparts and when they tried to have a celebration party together in the white portion of the camp, they were told they were not allowed, but the white counterparts stated, "if we could serve together in the army we can be together and celebrate" and they went over to the black side to celebrate.

Overall, I am not trying to make small what you said. You have a right to your opinion. I just wanted to add my cents in to why I still respect General Powell as a person.

[Baba Ahmed]

Originally Posted by ct123

They say expression is good for the soul. I am a believer in letting out whatever is bugging, because if you don't it can explode when you don't want to. I appreciate your feedback.

I must admit I am a outsider looking in and don't see what goes on behind close doors. But I also know that we aren't perfect and that we are allowed the opportunity to repent. As I see, General Powell today, he seems to be repenting or trying to make things right. I see him as a man of repentant and wanting to mend a wrong by trying to be truthful as a civilian. He too knows that his life on earth isn't eternal, but rather there is this thing called "death" that is promise to come upon all of us. It is never too late to right a wrong. Also he has done a lot of good for "us" as a race of people with things like United Negro College Fund and other things he participate to bring up our awareness. His background coming up is a lesson for those who dare not to dare. In many cases we to have skeletons in our closet, but because we aren't a public figure, many don't get a chance to examine then.

BTW, I did have an "Uncle" name "Sam", but he has since passed and he was in the Marines as a career. My father got his "Honorable Discharge" after WWII because he didn't find out how serious ill he was until he went to the hospital because of severe headaches he was having and got checked out. He had to have 2 brain surgeries within a month a part (was in the hospital for over 9 months and then had to have major back surgery which was almost another 9 months). My father told us that when they were coming back to the States after WWII that he thought the treatment of blacks would be better, but in return they still were separated from their white counterparts and when they tried to have a celebration party together in the white portion of the camp, they were told they were not allowed, but the white counterparts stated, "if we could serve together in the army we can be together and celebrate" and they went over to the black side to celebrate.

Overall, I am not trying to make small what you said. You have a right to your opinion. I just wanted to add my cents in to why I still respect General Powell as a person.

What my opinion is can't be made small...except maybe by small thinking folk and or are ignoramouses. I not only hold little respect for Powell but even less for him & who he represents. And his son less so, if that's possible. As is generally the case, the fruit doesn't fall far from its roots. As individuals neither are significant, imo. But as examples of self willed men? A few so called good deeds don't come near to balancing the damages done to our people. So really my remarks are aimed at a system operated by a people and those whose conscious actions should be classified with those who do not deserve forgiveness and compassion from Afrikan descendents in this land.

However try to understand this it is next to insanity to attempt to persuade eu-rope-ans and their friends to change. Why do you think that we, as a people, are still fighting for U.S. Constitutionally backed Civil Rights? Do you think that only a "few bad apples" are shooting hot lead bullets into and hanging by their necks our people and (until recently) tasering even 6 year old Black children? Do u think that its accidental that comparatively more Black armed service people are killed in every war today around the world than equal percentages of eu-rope-ans? Have u ever questioned the rising numbers of our people who die in hospitals due to doctor and others errors? Or mistakes as has been reported?

Do you believe that so called heros who truly live(d) for our people are lauded in the press and school textbooks?

I'll not continue this except to say my criticisms are not aimed at you. Although, admittedly imo a person can not be separated from his or her opinions. That's unreal in reality, tho accepted in an abstract analytical format. More and more of us have either come to realize or have for years that EUROPEAN HisSTORIES plus our own tells damning truths and lies about what has and is happening to our people.

Yeah, I know some say forget, forgive and move on. Well Im one of many who're sworn to NEVER FORGET and vow to live and die so that what has happened to our people shall not continue to happen again 'n again. Some of our learned warrior scholars deem such folk as living in the spirits of the Maroons & Quilombos for example Nat Turner, Harriet (Aminata) Tubman, Harriet Jacobs, Reverands Allen and Walker; Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, Omowale Malik aka Malcolm X, sista Assata Shakur, Del Jones, Khalid Muhammad and thousands of more known and unknown, unmentioned. True sheros & heros.

Mentacide is a self affliction that includes Black people who believe white people, generally like us...

Allow me to add this on the eve of another "Black History Month:" John Brown was/is no hero by his own words. But have no fear; Colin Powell will be seen and accepted as a hero by many Black people. Just as one of their recent and former U.S. Presidents is.

Thank you.