Articles

The Way We War David Terry was nine months old when his father went to Vietnam in 1967. He was seven years old when he created his first piece of sculpture—a small papier mache soldier. In 2000, Wallace Terry and his son, David, collaborated on an exhibition of his war-inspired sculpture and Terry’s combat photography, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The retrospective received an appreciative review in The New York Times. One of the pieces in the show was David’s small papier mache soldier.   Read New York Times Review >>

Dead Presidents is a 1995 action-thriller film written and directed by the Hughes Brothers (Albert and Allen Hughes), and stars Larenz Tate, Keith David, Chris Tucker, Freddy Rodriguez, N'Bushe Wright and Bokeem Woodbine.

Dead Presidents is based partly on the real life experiences of Haywood T. Kirkland, whose true story was detailed in the book  Bloods:An Oral History of the Vietnam War by Black Veterans by Wallace Terry. Certain characters from the film are based on real acquaintances of Kirkland, who served time in prison after committing robbery in facepaint. Haywood eventually changed his name to Ari Sesu Merretazon and was released from prison for good behavior and contributing to the prison community.

Black Power in Vietnam: ONLY two years ago, the U.S. military seemed to represent the most integrated institution in American society. In many ways it still does. But the armed services, made up of so many conscripts and "volunteers" escaping conscription, are mirrors that reflect and sometimes exaggerate the divisions of the entire society.

The Black Journalists Movement: Journalism lives in Wallace Terry's marrow. As a child his fascination with newspapers took shape in his ambition to publish a neighborhood paper. Gathering stories from his friends and neighbors, he printed the paper on a toy press and passed it out. His interest in the profession never faltered. Even when he pursued other interests, journalism wasn't far behind.