On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The United States found itself in the war it had sought to avoid, for more than two years.
Over 2.5 million African Americans men registered for the draft, black women also volunteered in large numbers. While serving in the Army, Army Air Force, Navy, Marines Corps and Coast Guards as within society they experience discrimination and segregation. But as history shows they met the challenge and persevered. Although they served with distinction and made valuable contributions recognition did not come easily or readily.
During World War II, civil rights groups and black professional organization pressured the government to provide training for black pilots on an equal basis with whites. Their efforts were partially successful. African Americans fighter pilots were trained as a part of the Army Air Force, but only at a segregated base located in Tuskegee, Alabama. Hundreds of airmen were trained and many saw action they were called the "Tuskegee Airmen." (White, web)
Photograph # 9
Title:
"Pilots Gambling in the Ready Room" by Gordon Parks (Parks, pg. 67)
Description:
This photograph depicts five "Tuskegee Airmen", fighter pilots of the black 332nd Fighter Group playing cards. The pilots are in full pilot gear ready for the call to battle. Two pilots on opposite sides are seated in chairs, while the dealer is standing on the left side, leaning over the table while smoking. Another pilot opposite the dealer is seated on the table giving him the same visual point as the dealer. Between these two if the fifth pilot standing while leaning on his gear that is on the table. It is not clear if he is playing in the game or just a spectator.
The table is loaded with gear, ashtrays full of cigarettes butts and matches, and their bodies, leaving a small area for the actual game of cards.
The backdrop of the picture directly behind the pilots is a blackboard with a chart of Operations, with white columns. The first column reads Pilots, with their names listed. The second column is not legible due to the glare from the flash and the dealer's body. The third column reads Land, it has numbers listed, possible identification of where each pilot is to land. The fourth column reads Mission, beneath is a listing of numbers and letters possibly in code. The last reads Remarks, has nothing listed underneath, possible waiting for the completion of the mission to rate.
Also in the backdrop off to the right is a window. The scene outside the window is not in focus but it appears to include buildings and a vehicle.
Interpretation:
At a glance one would think that these men are playing a casual game of cards and assume that their attitude toward their waiting assignment (mission) is also casual.
After examining the pilots face and posture this game appears to be for high stakes, (money, material objects) a direct correlation to their waiting mission also high stakes (life). An addition to the small free space on the table that they have available because of their pilot / fighting gear also suggest that they recognize that their waiting mission is far more important and the game is just making the wait easier.
The dark black strip running down the table symbolizes the runway. The pilot seated on the table with his hand resting on the strip (runway) suggests he is ready for take off.
(Complete Lesson I {guided} & Lesson III {independently})