Wednesday, May 31, 2006

The Soldier's Story Hasn't Changed


This is one of my favorite Movies, of all time. The caption below is indicative, of the entire movie. Throughout the movie Master Sergeant Vernon Waters (Adolph Ceasar), makes comments like this:

Master Sergeant Vernon Waters: You know the damage one ignorant Negro can do? We were in France in the first war; we'd won decorations. But the white boys had told all them French gals that we had tails. Then they found this ignorant colored soldier, paid him to tie a tail to his ass and run around half-naked, making monkey sounds. Put him on the big round table in the Cafe Napoleon, put a reed in his hand, crown on his head, blanket on his shoulders, and made him eat *bananas* in front of all them Frenchies. Oh, how the white boys danced that night... passed out leaflets with that boy's picture on it. Called him Moonshine, King of the Monkeys. And when we slit his throat, you know that fool asked us what he had done wrong?

12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can see the resemblance in personality. Fortunately he was outnumbered. He ruled with intimidation.

7:23 PM  
Blogger Blinders Off said...

Common:

The Soldier Story is one of my favorite movies also and it is not just because of Denzel, although I Loooove whatever he is in. lol

In all seriousness, it is ironic you mentioned the “tail to his ass” in your post. The CA ran a story in the Sunday’s Local News Section B about “Soldier seeks recognition for all-black Army unit after 55 years. Mr. Joel T. Ward is the soldier featured in the newspaper article. He talks about the “tail to his ass” in his book. He is the author of a book I am reading now, “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me” He was my book club guest speaker in April. I am mentioning this because if you want to hear history he and his wife are the most genuine people I have meet since moving to Tennessee. Could it be because he is originally for St. Louis…lol

I hope you do not mind me promoting Mr. Ward on your site, but this post is the perfect opportunity. Mr. Ward personally autographs his books when he speaks to different groups. He does not charge for speaking because it gives him another opportunity to sell his book. I am truly enjoying his book I expect to be finished reading it Friday.

12:10 AM  
Blogger Common said...

Cordova TN,

He had a good line, but a rusty hook. His message was on point. It just wasn't people friendly.

10:14 AM  
Blogger Common said...

Blinder-Off,

I don't mind you mentioning Mr. Ward. I appreciate the input. It adds to the discussion. What did he say about the tail?

10:20 AM  
Blogger Blinders Off said...

Common:

“The Angels Keep Watching Over Me” is about a black soldier (Sidney Pointer) in 1968 driving back home to St. Louis after retiring out of the Army. On his journey home he witness a young white pregnant woman (Rosalind) being beaten by her husband. His character as a man could not allow him not to intervene on the woman’s behalf…

The author did not go into details about a black man having a tail like in “A Soldier Story” the following is how he referenced it:

Rosalind went to the bathroom while I checked the back door to make sure it was locked. As I entered the room, Rosalind returned and was adjusting the three way light to low…

“What do you want to talk about, Rosalind?”

“To be honest with you, first, I owe you an apology.”

“Me?” I asked.

“Yes, you,” she said. “I threw myself at you last night and morning. Please forgive me.” She spoke softly.

“Twenty-four hours ago, I was in Louisville, dreading for Bob to come home from his drinking spree. Now, I’m in St. Louis surrounded by wonderful people for friends. Finally, my life has changed for the better…..”

Then she got up and said, “Please forgive me for the way I acted. I am a decent person.”

I said, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to bite you. I don’t have a tail either.”

She asked, “What do you mean about the tail?”

“You haven’t heard about black men having a tail?”

She said, “No, I haven’t.”

I said, “Well, after World War II, the white soldiers told the Germans and Japanese women that all Negro soldiers had tails that come out at night. It was to frighten them so we wouldn’t get any of the women. They felt if we got to them, they wouldn’t have anything to do with the white soldiers again.”

She asked, “But, why?”

“They heard that all women like big men. They also heard that black mean have big bodies, if you know what I mean. So they tried to keep them from us.” (pg.80)

Sorry for being long winded, but to answer your question I couldn’t shortchange the author’s explanation of THE TAIL….lol

4:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to watch this again.

11:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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1:13 AM  
Blogger Common said...

Bobby O'jay or CeeJay Memphis, which inigma was first? Everything is not a joke. And doesn't have a humorous side. Even when they make a good point. They keep talking and mess it up. Is the "Fun Morning Show" an excuse for stupidity? One was a movie, the other one is real. Has this type of individual always been around?

9:26 AM  
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