Photographer Danny Lyon Reflects on an Iconic Career | National Geographic

Danny lion never made a picture he

Danny lion never made a picture he wasn’t a part of he was a

wasn’t a part of he was a

wasn’t a part of he was a twenty-something dropped into a

twenty-something dropped into a

twenty-something dropped into a simmering pot of 1960s American scene

simmering pot of 1960s American scene

simmering pot of 1960s American scene that was about to boil civil rights war

that was about to boil civil rights war

that was about to boil civil rights war politics culture the landscapes of all

politics culture the landscapes of all

politics culture the landscapes of all things held familiar were about to

things held familiar were about to

things held familiar were about to change borders were being drawn simply

change borders were being drawn simply

change borders were being drawn simply to be crossed and erased and it’s safe

to be crossed and erased and it’s safe

to be crossed and erased and it’s safe to say that Danny Lyon was there

to say that Danny Lyon was there

to say that Danny Lyon was there somewhere at large but largely absent

somewhere at large but largely absent

somewhere at large but largely absent from a world presented by life and look

from a world presented by life and look

from a world presented by life and look and very present in his time of

and very present in his time of

and very present in his time of photography films and books he is still

photography films and books he is still

photography films and books he is still there today at large

there today at large

there today at large always the protagonist sometimes the

always the protagonist sometimes the

always the protagonist sometimes the antagonist and always at work on a

antagonist and always at work on a

antagonist and always at work on a perpetual director’s cut of his life’s

perpetual director’s cut of his life’s

perpetual director’s cut of his life’s work each take revealing something old

work each take revealing something old

work each take revealing something old something new a performance that might

something new a performance that might

something new a performance that might include a rare track or an acoustic

include a rare track or an acoustic

include a rare track or an acoustic version of a well-known photograph the

version of a well-known photograph the

version of a well-known photograph the liner notes from a life’s work with the

liner notes from a life’s work with the

liner notes from a life’s work with the eye of a documentarian and the soul of a

eye of a documentarian and the soul of a

eye of a documentarian and the soul of a radical Danny Lyon made some of the

radical Danny Lyon made some of the

radical Danny Lyon made some of the greatest photographs of a greatest

greatest photographs of a greatest

greatest photographs of a greatest generation a few that few knew or

generation a few that few knew or

generation a few that few knew or understood or even cared about the

understood or even cared about the

understood or even cared about the abandoned the incarcerated the outcast

abandoned the incarcerated the outcast

abandoned the incarcerated the outcast the illegal the native the isolated that

the illegal the native the isolated that

the illegal the native the isolated that outlaws biker crosses the Ohio River his

outlaws biker crosses the Ohio River his

outlaws biker crosses the Ohio River his motorcycle is moving forward but his

motorcycle is moving forward but his

motorcycle is moving forward but his head is turned the other way looking

head is turned the other way looking

head is turned the other way looking back a shock of hair pointing to the

back a shock of hair pointing to the

back a shock of hair pointing to the past almost in an acknowledgment that

past almost in an acknowledgment that

past almost in an acknowledgment that Danny Lyons photograph still time and

Danny Lyons photograph still time and

Danny Lyons photograph still time and that by the time you see this it will be

that by the time you see this it will be

that by the time you see this it will be gone gone like those great buildings and

gone gone like those great buildings and

gone gone like those great buildings and neighborhoods that once made up lower

neighborhoods that once made up lower

neighborhoods that once made up lower Manhattan go on like the working men who

Manhattan go on like the working men who

Manhattan go on like the working men who reduced them to dust and gone like the

reduced them to dust and gone like the

reduced them to dust and gone like the injustice represented in one of

injustice represented in one of

injustice represented in one of America’s darkest times the sacrifice is

America’s darkest times the sacrifice is

America’s darkest times the sacrifice is gone but not forgotten because although

gone but not forgotten because although

gone but not forgotten because although time and all that may have held have

time and all that may have held have

time and all that may have held have gone Danny Lyon made some pictures that

gone Danny Lyon made some pictures that

gone Danny Lyon made some pictures that will never go away

will never go away

will never go away please welcome Danny Lyon

it’s pretty nice Thanks hello I wrote

it’s pretty nice Thanks hello I wrote something it says oh thank Julien

something it says oh thank Julien

something it says oh thank Julien Vincent Elizabeth it’s a great honor to

Vincent Elizabeth it’s a great honor to

Vincent Elizabeth it’s a great honor to have Julian here I asked you I I’m also

have Julian here I asked you I I’m also

have Julian here I asked you I I’m also a filmmaker

a filmmaker

a filmmaker and since you know my ticket was paid

and since you know my ticket was paid

and since you know my ticket was paid for about National Geographic I thought

for about National Geographic I thought

for about National Geographic I thought I’d skip the conference and work so I

I’d skip the conference and work so I

I’d skip the conference and work so I was I filmed Julian yesterday he’s

was I filmed Julian yesterday he’s

was I filmed Julian yesterday he’s amazing on film and I asked him if he

amazing on film and I asked him if he

amazing on film and I asked him if he remembered when I first walked into the

remembered when I first walked into the

remembered when I first walked into the snick office and he said no so so this

snick office and he said no so so this

snick office and he said no so so this morning I filmed John Lewis and I did

morning I filmed John Lewis and I did

morning I filmed John Lewis and I did want to say something bout that I’m

want to say something bout that I’m

want to say something bout that I’m gonna I wrote anyway thanks Vince and

gonna I wrote anyway thanks Vince and

gonna I wrote anyway thanks Vince and thanks Elizabeth for inviting me and you

thanks Elizabeth for inviting me and you

thanks Elizabeth for inviting me and you may regret this but the you know I got

may regret this but the you know I got

may regret this but the you know I got it the Missouri honor mental about two

it the Missouri honor mental about two

it the Missouri honor mental about two years ago and a fella came I I’m ashamed

years ago and a fella came I I’m ashamed

years ago and a fella came I I’m ashamed I’m bad with names and he was in the

I’m bad with names and he was in the

I’m bad with names and he was in the photography department and I didn’t know

photography department and I didn’t know

photography department and I didn’t know why I had gotten this medal because they

why I had gotten this medal because they

why I had gotten this medal because they gave it to Walter Cronkite Winston

gave it to Walter Cronkite Winston

gave it to Walter Cronkite Winston Churchill and Tom Brokaw and other

Churchill and Tom Brokaw and other

Churchill and Tom Brokaw and other people and me and I so I got up and I

people and me and I so I got up and I

people and me and I so I got up and I said I don’t know who is responsible but

said I don’t know who is responsible but

said I don’t know who is responsible but you probably lose your job after you

you probably lose your job after you

you probably lose your job after you hear what I have to say but he still has

hear what I have to say but he still has

hear what I have to say but he still has this job so we’re in a new America here

this job so we’re in a new America here

this job so we’re in a new America here we’re off to worry about stuff like that

we’re off to worry about stuff like that

we’re off to worry about stuff like that and nobody works for the NSA here right

and nobody works for the NSA here right

and nobody works for the NSA here right no no seriously I mean we don’t we’re

no no seriously I mean we don’t we’re

no no seriously I mean we don’t we’re off to war even though in National

off to war even though in National

off to war even though in National Geographic in the capital of the most

Geographic in the capital of the most

Geographic in the capital of the most powerful country in the history of the

powerful country in the history of the

powerful country in the history of the universe we think so I’m going to read

universe we think so I’m going to read

universe we think so I’m going to read to you which is I think a terrible

to you which is I think a terrible

to you which is I think a terrible experience and I’m not good at speaking

experience and I’m not good at speaking

experience and I’m not good at speaking Julian is a great speaker but he

Julian is a great speaker but he

Julian is a great speaker but he wouldn’t read this and so I wanted to

wouldn’t read this and so I wanted to

wouldn’t read this and so I wanted to start with it with a extemporaneous

start with it with a extemporaneous

start with it with a extemporaneous story so this morning I went to film

story so this morning I went to film

story so this morning I went to film John

John

John and I’ve been filming him two or three

and I’ve been filming him two or three

and I’ve been filming him two or three times and I just hit the jackpot this

times and I just hit the jackpot this

times and I just hit the jackpot this morning I was alone with him in his

morning I was alone with him in his

morning I was alone with him in his office there was nobody else to see him

office there was nobody else to see him

office there was nobody else to see him I had him for about two hours the light

I had him for about two hours the light

I had him for about two hours the light was great and it was it was filmic it

was great and it was it was filmic it

was great and it was it was filmic it was great he he was amazing

was great he he was amazing

was great he he was amazing and at one point he started picking up

and at one point he started picking up

and at one point he started picking up photographs and he’s saying oh this is

photographs and he’s saying oh this is

photographs and he’s saying oh this is you know when I got clubbed and and we

you know when I got clubbed and and we

you know when I got clubbed and and we got into this kind of thing because you

got into this kind of thing because you

got into this kind of thing because you know I knew he had been knocked

know I knew he had been knocked

know I knew he had been knocked unconscious he had been gassed his teeth

unconscious he had been gassed his teeth

unconscious he had been gassed his teeth these are separate incidents so I

these are separate incidents so I

these are separate incidents so I started saying like oh and then and I

started saying like oh and then and I

started saying like oh and then and I said oh yeah and then what happened when

said oh yeah and then what happened when

said oh yeah and then what happened when was the next time in he so we’re going

was the next time in he so we’re going

was the next time in he so we’re going through this kind of laundry list of

through this kind of laundry list of

through this kind of laundry list of assaults on this guy’s head and and the

assaults on this guy’s head and and the

assaults on this guy’s head and and the first time he ever got hit he got hit

first time he ever got hit he got hit

first time he ever got hit he got hit with a milk crate now you think of this

with a milk crate now you think of this

with a milk crate now you think of this now he says a guy came out and and and

now he says a guy came out and and and

now he says a guy came out and and and grabbed him he was on one of these buses

grabbed him he was on one of these buses

grabbed him he was on one of these buses that got off at a cafeteria guy comes

that got off at a cafeteria guy comes

that got off at a cafeteria guy comes out has this milk crate and he hits him

out has this milk crate and he hits him

out has this milk crate and he hits him in the head just blood everywhere and

in the head just blood everywhere and

in the head just blood everywhere and now John Lewis is in Congress and the

now John Lewis is in Congress and the

now John Lewis is in Congress and the guy who hit him he’s probably in the

guy who hit him he’s probably in the

guy who hit him he’s probably in the Senate you know and and the thing is we

Senate you know and and the thing is we

Senate you know and and the thing is we have a right to walk around with a milk

have a right to walk around with a milk

have a right to walk around with a milk crate this is America you know they

crate this is America you know they

crate this is America you know they don’t we can have you can walk down the

don’t we can have you can walk down the

don’t we can have you can walk down the street with a milk crate no I’m serious

street with a milk crate no I’m serious

street with a milk crate no I’m serious about this it’s a milk crate and and we

about this it’s a milk crate and and we

about this it’s a milk crate and and we have that right to walk around

have that right to walk around

have that right to walk around I mean who you hit with it is a you know

I mean who you hit with it is a you know

I mean who you hit with it is a you know that’s a debate we’re gonna have you

that’s a debate we’re gonna have you

that’s a debate we’re gonna have you know okay that was a too warm he appears

know okay that was a too warm he appears

know okay that was a too warm he appears that what I wrote I wanted to talk I

that what I wrote I wanted to talk I

that what I wrote I wanted to talk I wanted to talk a bit about Norman Mailer

wanted to talk a bit about Norman Mailer

wanted to talk a bit about Norman Mailer whose biography by J Michael Leonard

whose biography by J Michael Leonard

whose biography by J Michael Leonard Lennon called a double life I have been

Lennon called a double life I have been

Lennon called a double life I have been reading is that what he all right

reading is that what he all right

reading is that what he all right that’s all right the most time I spent

that’s all right the most time I spent

that’s all right the most time I spent with Norman Mailer was when we were both

with Norman Mailer was when we were both

with Norman Mailer was when we were both in jail across the Potomac River in

in jail across the Potomac River in

in jail across the Potomac River in Alexandria Virginia

Alexandria Virginia

Alexandria Virginia this was 1967 and I

this was 1967 and I

this was 1967 and I I was near the end of the destruction of

I was near the end of the destruction of

I was near the end of the destruction of lower Manhattan and about to do my work

lower Manhattan and about to do my work

lower Manhattan and about to do my work in the Texas prisons I’d driven down

in the Texas prisons I’d driven down

in the Texas prisons I’d driven down from New York early that day with the

from New York early that day with the

from New York early that day with the sculptor marked a Subaru we both planned

sculptor marked a Subaru we both planned

sculptor marked a Subaru we both planned to be arrested that day and since mark

to be arrested that day and since mark

to be arrested that day and since mark was walking with a cane we parked as

was walking with a cane we parked as

was walking with a cane we parked as close as we could to the Pentagon

close as we could to the Pentagon

close as we could to the Pentagon arriving at the massive building very

arriving at the massive building very

arriving at the massive building very early far in front of the marchers and

early far in front of the marchers and

early far in front of the marchers and protestors which I now know reached

protestors which I now know reached

protestors which I now know reached 100,000 people just think of that

100,000 people just think of that

100,000 people just think of that astounding number 100,000 people this

astounding number 100,000 people this

astounding number 100,000 people this was very early this was a very early

was very early this was a very early

was very early this was a very early protest against a war that would go on

protest against a war that would go on

protest against a war that would go on for another seven and a half years the

for another seven and a half years the

for another seven and a half years the Pentagon has long flat steps leading up

Pentagon has long flat steps leading up

Pentagon has long flat steps leading up to it in that morning they were covered

to it in that morning they were covered

to it in that morning they were covered with interlocking rows of the United

with interlocking rows of the United

with interlocking rows of the United States Marshals and military MPs

States Marshals and military MPs

States Marshals and military MPs soldiers held out rifles with bayonets

soldiers held out rifles with bayonets

soldiers held out rifles with bayonets fixed into the face of children that

fixed into the face of children that

fixed into the face of children that would stuff flowers into the barrels

would stuff flowers into the barrels

would stuff flowers into the barrels while the marshals and the MP stood in

while the marshals and the MP stood in

while the marshals and the MP stood in rows holding long batons what we call

rows holding long batons what we call

rows holding long batons what we call billy clubs in the south after making

billy clubs in the south after making

billy clubs in the south after making some pictures with a nikon f reflex

some pictures with a nikon f reflex

some pictures with a nikon f reflex that’s a 35-millimeter camera which you

that’s a 35-millimeter camera which you

that’s a 35-millimeter camera which you could sorry if a guy was at a

could sorry if a guy was at a

could sorry if a guy was at a photography seminar okay so I had

photography seminar okay so I had

photography seminar okay so I had removed the 35 millimeter lens and

removed the 35 millimeter lens and

removed the 35 millimeter lens and buried it deep into one of the pockets

buried it deep into one of the pockets

buried it deep into one of the pockets of my blue jeans I did the same with the

of my blue jeans I did the same with the

of my blue jeans I did the same with the flat body two more rolls of Triax were

flat body two more rolls of Triax were

flat body two more rolls of Triax were deep inside another pocket I might have

deep inside another pocket I might have

deep inside another pocket I might have removed the prison and wrapped that in

removed the prison and wrapped that in

removed the prison and wrapped that in handkerchief the idea was to get inside

handkerchief the idea was to get inside

handkerchief the idea was to get inside the jail with my camera when two silver

the jail with my camera when two silver

the jail with my camera when two silver across the line that was bit and was

across the line that was bit and was

across the line that was bit and was being manhandled by the baton swinging

being manhandled by the baton swinging

being manhandled by the baton swinging MPs

MPs

MPs I want to defend him two US Marshals

I want to defend him two US Marshals

I want to defend him two US Marshals grabbed my arms while another standing

grabbed my arms while another standing

grabbed my arms while another standing directly

directly

directly in front of me hit me across the crown

in front of me hit me across the crown

in front of me hit me across the crown of my head with his club knocking me

of my head with his club knocking me

of my head with his club knocking me unconscious it took either four or six

unconscious it took either four or six

unconscious it took either four or six stitches to close the wound I don’t

stitches to close the wound I don’t

stitches to close the wound I don’t remember when I awoke I had been dragged

remember when I awoke I had been dragged

remember when I awoke I had been dragged over a thousand feet around the building

over a thousand feet around the building

over a thousand feet around the building the largest in the United States at the

the largest in the United States at the

the largest in the United States at the end of the building and what looked like

end of the building and what looked like

end of the building and what looked like a loading dock I was handed a number to

a loading dock I was handed a number to

a loading dock I was handed a number to hold across my chest while I was

hold across my chest while I was

hold across my chest while I was photographed then motioned inside to

photographed then motioned inside to

photographed then motioned inside to into a waiting and near empty prison bus

into a waiting and near empty prison bus

into a waiting and near empty prison bus my number was for a mark of Honor on a

my number was for a mark of Honor on a

my number was for a mark of Honor on a day that would see seven hundred

day that would see seven hundred

day that would see seven hundred protestors going to jail the largest

protestors going to jail the largest

protestors going to jail the largest tally so far and the struggle to stop

tally so far and the struggle to stop

tally so far and the struggle to stop the war

the war

the war inside the bus i reassemble the camera

inside the bus i reassemble the camera

inside the bus i reassemble the camera making noises inside the bus i

making noises inside the bus i

making noises inside the bus i reassembled the Cameron began making

reassembled the Cameron began making

reassembled the Cameron began making pictures first through the window of

pictures first through the window of

pictures first through the window of other prisoners being brought in the

other prisoners being brought in the

other prisoners being brought in the number placed on Norman Mailer’s chest

number placed on Norman Mailer’s chest

number placed on Norman Mailer’s chest was number ten eventually this group was

was number ten eventually this group was

was number ten eventually this group was driven to the Alexandria County Jail and

driven to the Alexandria County Jail and

driven to the Alexandria County Jail and left an assault holding cell about 15 by

left an assault holding cell about 15 by

left an assault holding cell about 15 by 20 feet where I proceeded to make

20 feet where I proceeded to make

20 feet where I proceeded to make pictures of the dozen other protesters

pictures of the dozen other protesters

pictures of the dozen other protesters and mailer who was playing chess with a

and mailer who was playing chess with a

and mailer who was playing chess with a board mate someone made out of paper

board mate someone made out of paper

board mate someone made out of paper when an attorney appeared outside the

when an attorney appeared outside the

when an attorney appeared outside the bars to speak with mailer

bars to speak with mailer

bars to speak with mailer I pulled the exposed film from my

I pulled the exposed film from my

I pulled the exposed film from my pockets and camera handed him to the

pockets and camera handed him to the

pockets and camera handed him to the attorney with a note get them to Magnum

attorney with a note get them to Magnum

attorney with a note get them to Magnum where they were processed and quickly

where they were processed and quickly

where they were processed and quickly published mostly in Europe what we now

published mostly in Europe what we now

published mostly in Europe what we now call the media here at home had almost

call the media here at home had almost

call the media here at home had almost no interest in the anti-war movement I

no interest in the anti-war movement I

no interest in the anti-war movement I was at the time between my second and

was at the time between my second and

was at the time between my second and third book books conceived in a picture

third book books conceived in a picture

third book books conceived in a picture world dominated by magazines all of

world dominated by magazines all of

world dominated by magazines all of which I objected to if I was going to

which I objected to if I was going to

which I objected to if I was going to work so hard to risk my life to devote

work so hard to risk my life to devote

work so hard to risk my life to devote my waking consciousness and time to a

my waking consciousness and time to a

my waking consciousness and time to a single object making pictures how could

single object making pictures how could

single object making pictures how could I turn them over to someone else to

I turn them over to someone else to

I turn them over to someone else to select to crop to arrange and worse to

select to crop to arrange and worse to

select to crop to arrange and worse to place words with pictures that were not

place words with pictures that were not

place words with pictures that were not my words my pictures had to be protected

my words my pictures had to be protected

my words my pictures had to be protected a silver print is among the most fragile

a silver print is among the most fragile

a silver print is among the most fragile objects in the fine arts world a grain

objects in the fine arts world a grain

objects in the fine arts world a grain of sand can ruin one and I’ve ruined my

of sand can ruin one and I’ve ruined my

of sand can ruin one and I’ve ruined my own slides with a speck of saliva which

own slides with a speck of saliva which

own slides with a speck of saliva which burns a hole into them the image itself

burns a hole into them the image itself

burns a hole into them the image itself is fragile it is an anonymous rendition

is fragile it is an anonymous rendition

is fragile it is an anonymous rendition of reality to which the viewer brings

of reality to which the viewer brings

of reality to which the viewer brings emotion and feelings and the caption the

emotion and feelings and the caption the

emotion and feelings and the caption the layout the sequence the text the

layout the sequence the text the

layout the sequence the text the settings they are presented in I was

settings they are presented in I was

settings they are presented in I was determined to do that myself the bike

determined to do that myself the bike

determined to do that myself the bike ride is Republic was published in 1968 I

ride is Republic was published in 1968 I

ride is Republic was published in 1968 I received the book in Texas seven

received the book in Texas seven

received the book in Texas seven pictures were out of register the result

pictures were out of register the result

pictures were out of register the result of running the book off in a single

of running the book off in a single

of running the book off in a single night in a New Jersey print shop that

night in a New Jersey print shop that

night in a New Jersey print shop that probably paid a kickback to someone at

probably paid a kickback to someone at

probably paid a kickback to someone at Macmillan to get the job in the first

Macmillan to get the job in the first

Macmillan to get the job in the first place

place

place it is now 40 years later and I’m still

it is now 40 years later and I’m still

it is now 40 years later and I’m still making books only now I control

making books only now I control

making books only now I control everything including the printing and

everything including the printing and

everything including the printing and great expense and time and work is

great expense and time and work is

great expense and time and work is devoted by my publishers and the people

devoted by my publishers and the people

devoted by my publishers and the people that make my books to do them properly I

that make my books to do them properly I

that make my books to do them properly I have always seen myself as a realist

have always seen myself as a realist

have always seen myself as a realist someone that takes everything he needs

someone that takes everything he needs

someone that takes everything he needs directly from reality my weapons are

directly from reality my weapons are

directly from reality my weapons are first of all the camera also tape

first of all the camera also tape

first of all the camera also tape recorders and motion picture cameras and

recorders and motion picture cameras and

recorders and motion picture cameras and now digital video cameras I am also a

now digital video cameras I am also a

now digital video cameras I am also a deep romantic the works I do are works

deep romantic the works I do are works

deep romantic the works I do are works of dreams and vision and in that sense

of dreams and vision and in that sense

of dreams and vision and in that sense the only reality they actually listen to

the only reality they actually listen to

the only reality they actually listen to is the reality inside my head reality to

is the reality inside my head reality to

is the reality inside my head reality to me is made up I make it up I entered the

me is made up I make it up I entered the

me is made up I make it up I entered the Texas prisons determined to destroy them

Texas prisons determined to destroy them

Texas prisons determined to destroy them and once I began to read about prison

and once I began to read about prison

and once I began to read about prison and people said things like what are you

and people said things like what are you

and people said things like what are you going to do with them meaning the

going to do with them meaning the

going to do with them meaning the inmates I thought I do not want to be a

inmates I thought I do not want to be a

inmates I thought I do not want to be a criminologist I was not interested in

criminologist I was not interested in

criminologist I was not interested in improving prisons I wanted to destroy

improving prisons I wanted to destroy

improving prisons I wanted to destroy them now we are in the future the

them now we are in the future the

them now we are in the future the population of the Texas prisons where I

population of the Texas prisons where I

population of the Texas prisons where I work

work

work 12500 now it is over 200,000 so that

12500 now it is over 200,000 so that

12500 now it is over 200,000 so that body of work which took two years of my

body of work which took two years of my

body of work which took two years of my life was not a success my life and I

life was not a success my life and I

life was not a success my life and I suspect the lives of many of you and I

suspect the lives of many of you and I

suspect the lives of many of you and I say this with a nod to Norman Mailer has

say this with a nod to Norman Mailer has

say this with a nod to Norman Mailer has been about action about risk about

been about action about risk about

been about action about risk about adventure that is why we love this life

adventure that is why we love this life

adventure that is why we love this life it takes us outside of ourselves we

it takes us outside of ourselves we

it takes us outside of ourselves we escape our personal miseries we lose

escape our personal miseries we lose

escape our personal miseries we lose ourselves in a world much faster than

ourselves in a world much faster than

ourselves in a world much faster than our own looking back now I can say I’ve

our own looking back now I can say I’ve

our own looking back now I can say I’ve devoted most of my life to making

devoted most of my life to making

devoted most of my life to making photography books a form that is not

photography books a form that is not

photography books a form that is not even recognized as a form photography

even recognized as a form photography

even recognized as a form photography books have never been reviewed the way

books have never been reviewed the way

books have never been reviewed the way novels and nonfiction are although they

novels and nonfiction are although they

novels and nonfiction are although they are branch of nonfiction over 20 years

are branch of nonfiction over 20 years

are branch of nonfiction over 20 years ago

ago

ago snick had a rare reunion at Trinity

snick had a rare reunion at Trinity

snick had a rare reunion at Trinity College and clay Carson was there he had

College and clay Carson was there he had

College and clay Carson was there he had published an early account of snick

published an early account of snick

published an early account of snick Howard Zinn had of course done this even

Howard Zinn had of course done this even

Howard Zinn had of course done this even earlier by then cost him control the

earlier by then cost him control the

earlier by then cost him control the King archives we sat down together at a

King archives we sat down together at a

King archives we sat down together at a table and I said America will never

table and I said America will never

table and I said America will never change until there is a revolution in

change until there is a revolution in

change until there is a revolution in the media a few years later I put it in

the media a few years later I put it in

the media a few years later I put it in writing which it still sits buried on my

writing which it still sits buried on my

writing which it still sits buried on my website titled revolution in the media

website titled revolution in the media

website titled revolution in the media addressed to something I called the

addressed to something I called the

addressed to something I called the media worker so there’s no one from the

media worker so there’s no one from the

media worker so there’s no one from the NSA yeah that’s why I asked that already

NSA yeah that’s why I asked that already

NSA yeah that’s why I asked that already right so you know this is kind of a pre

right so you know this is kind of a pre

right so you know this is kind of a pre tweet tweet I don’t really understand

tweet tweet I don’t really understand

tweet tweet I don’t really understand how to tweet but this is really simple

how to tweet but this is really simple

how to tweet but this is really simple minded but I had teenagers and young

minded but I had teenagers and young

minded but I had teenagers and young people and I was kind of addressing my

people and I was kind of addressing my

people and I was kind of addressing my daughter so this is what I put on in the

daughter so this is what I put on in the

daughter so this is what I put on in the website one to change society change the

website one to change society change the

website one to change society change the media two to change the media change

media two to change the media change

media two to change the media change yourself three personalise the media

yourself three personalise the media

yourself three personalise the media personalize yourself and finally

personalize yourself and finally

personalize yourself and finally something that we’ve known since the

something that we’ve known since the

something that we’ve known since the time of the Greeks beauty is power and I

time of the Greeks beauty is power and I

time of the Greeks beauty is power and I was glad to hear the

was glad to hear the

was glad to hear the last person addressed that issue when

last person addressed that issue when

last person addressed that issue when someone said oh gee these beautiful

someone said oh gee these beautiful

someone said oh gee these beautiful pictures of a waistline beauty is power

pictures of a waistline beauty is power

pictures of a waistline beauty is power I could argue standing here that

I could argue standing here that

I could argue standing here that technology something mailer hated has an

technology something mailer hated has an

technology something mailer hated has an effect if not made that revolution has

effect if not made that revolution has

effect if not made that revolution has created a forum for it young people did

created a forum for it young people did

created a forum for it young people did not take any of our old forum seriously

not take any of our old forum seriously

not take any of our old forum seriously they communicate among themselves in

they communicate among themselves in

they communicate among themselves in mysterious ways the problem remains

mysterious ways the problem remains

mysterious ways the problem remains where is the vision I have always loved

where is the vision I have always loved

where is the vision I have always loved what I did I wanted more than anything

what I did I wanted more than anything

what I did I wanted more than anything else to leave a mark to return something

else to leave a mark to return something

else to leave a mark to return something to the country in which I and my

to the country in which I and my

to the country in which I and my immigrant parents both of whom came here

immigrant parents both of whom came here

immigrant parents both of whom came here from certified dictatorships flourished

from certified dictatorships flourished

from certified dictatorships flourished did that make sense doesn’t have to make

did that make sense doesn’t have to make

did that make sense doesn’t have to make sense I wanted to do that by myself as

sense I wanted to do that by myself as

sense I wanted to do that by myself as an individual my own preservation as an

an individual my own preservation as an

an individual my own preservation as an individual was central to my

individual was central to my

individual was central to my contribution to journalism and

contribution to journalism and

contribution to journalism and photography I’m the generation that had

photography I’m the generation that had

photography I’m the generation that had to crawl under my little wooden desk at

to crawl under my little wooden desk at

to crawl under my little wooden desk at school to protect myself from the blast

school to protect myself from the blast

school to protect myself from the blast of hydrogen bombs

of hydrogen bombs

of hydrogen bombs I’m the generation that had to wear a

I’m the generation that had to wear a

I’m the generation that had to wear a dog tag so my incinerated body could be

dog tag so my incinerated body could be

dog tag so my incinerated body could be recognized I never took my life for

recognized I never took my life for

recognized I never took my life for granted what I did take for granted was

granted what I did take for granted was

granted what I did take for granted was that someone wanted to destroy me and

that someone wanted to destroy me and

that someone wanted to destroy me and not one of me they wanted to control

not one of me they wanted to control

not one of me they wanted to control what I thought and how I lived my

what I thought and how I lived my

what I thought and how I lived my mission was to defy them I took it for

mission was to defy them I took it for

mission was to defy them I took it for granted that all the magazine’s lied and

granted that all the magazine’s lied and

granted that all the magazine’s lied and since I chose the media as my field I

since I chose the media as my field I

since I chose the media as my field I was determined to create an American

was determined to create an American

was determined to create an American media that was truthful in my America

media that was truthful in my America

media that was truthful in my America people were all different

people were all different

people were all different they were handsome and everything around

they were handsome and everything around

they were handsome and everything around them was beautiful don’t chuckle I’m

them was beautiful don’t chuckle I’m

them was beautiful don’t chuckle I’m we’re gonna show these pictures next and

we’re gonna show these pictures next and

we’re gonna show these pictures next and most of all they were free none of my

most of all they were free none of my

most of all they were free none of my films are about Chicanos or poverty or

films are about Chicanos or poverty or

films are about Chicanos or poverty or prison or the border all of which I deal

prison or the border all of which I deal

prison or the border all of which I deal with they are about the existential

with they are about the existential

with they are about the existential struggle to be free that is what unites

struggle to be free that is what unites

struggle to be free that is what unites everything I have done and the first

everything I have done and the first

everything I have done and the first person that has to be

person that has to be

person that has to be three is me by the time I was finished

three is me by the time I was finished

three is me by the time I was finished about 1971 all of my books were

about 1971 all of my books were

about 1971 all of my books were remaindered meaning the publishers chose

remaindered meaning the publishers chose

remaindered meaning the publishers chose to to dump the books on the market all

to to dump the books on the market all

to to dump the books on the market all remaining copies were sold for a dollar

remaining copies were sold for a dollar

remaining copies were sold for a dollar I bought a case of the bike riders in

I bought a case of the bike riders in

I bought a case of the bike riders in 1970 for 16 cents a copy my poor father

1970 for 16 cents a copy my poor father

1970 for 16 cents a copy my poor father I picked on him and my father said what

I picked on him and my father said what

I picked on him and my father said what do you want a case of your own book for

younger people cannot imagine how

younger people cannot imagine how someone like me views our present world

someone like me views our present world

someone like me views our present world Edward Snowden is to me a young man with

Edward Snowden is to me a young man with

Edward Snowden is to me a young man with the stature of John Brown though he’s

the stature of John Brown though he’s

the stature of John Brown though he’s presented to us more like John Wilkes

presented to us more like John Wilkes

presented to us more like John Wilkes Booth when many years ago I first heard

Booth when many years ago I first heard

Booth when many years ago I first heard the term virtual reality I thought are

the term virtual reality I thought are

the term virtual reality I thought are they kidding

they kidding

they kidding every morning I awake to an electronic

every morning I awake to an electronic

every morning I awake to an electronic version of chess I play with my son

version of chess I play with my son

version of chess I play with my son 2,000 miles away they were not kidding

2,000 miles away they were not kidding

2,000 miles away they were not kidding many people seem to feel that an

many people seem to feel that an

many people seem to feel that an experience on an electronic screen is an

experience on an electronic screen is an

experience on an electronic screen is an experience I’ve tried to imagine what I

experience I’ve tried to imagine what I

experience I’ve tried to imagine what I might do if I were allowed to edit or

might do if I were allowed to edit or

might do if I were allowed to edit or control an issue of the National

control an issue of the National

control an issue of the National Geographic oh that got a chuckle what

Geographic oh that got a chuckle what

Geographic oh that got a chuckle what reality would I present what would I do

reality would I present what would I do

reality would I present what would I do other than get rid of the running images

other than get rid of the running images

other than get rid of the running images across the centerfolds forbidding bleeds

across the centerfolds forbidding bleeds

across the centerfolds forbidding bleeds I think a gone to pot issue would be

I think a gone to pot issue would be

I think a gone to pot issue would be good ideally with a joint stamped

good ideally with a joint stamped

good ideally with a joint stamped welcome to Colorado state stable than a

welcome to Colorado state stable than a

welcome to Colorado state stable than a baggie inside the back back cover

baggie inside the back back cover

baggie inside the back back cover this special issue could include a lot

this special issue could include a lot

this special issue could include a lot of outdoor stuff with what 20% of the

of outdoor stuff with what 20% of the

of outdoor stuff with what 20% of the issue interviews with the destroyed

issue interviews with the destroyed

issue interviews with the destroyed lives of young people in jail for

lives of young people in jail for

lives of young people in jail for selling weed something considered a

selling weed something considered a

selling weed something considered a public service by my generation perhaps

public service by my generation perhaps

public service by my generation perhaps another 20% of the on the 10th of

another 20% of the on the 10th of

another 20% of the on the 10th of interviews on the tens of millions of

interviews on the tens of millions of

interviews on the tens of millions of successful Americans like myself we

successful Americans like myself we

successful Americans like myself we spent at least a third of their time

spent at least a third of their time

spent at least a third of their time lives as potheads the border would be

lives as potheads the border would be

lives as potheads the border would be another good issue the present

another good issue the present

another good issue the present militarization of the southwest

militarization of the southwest

militarization of the southwest including Albuquerque where I live where

including Albuquerque where I live where

including Albuquerque where I live where the police of shot and killed 20 people

the police of shot and killed 20 people

the police of shot and killed 20 people recently a truly life-threatening place

recently a truly life-threatening place

recently a truly life-threatening place to encounter a cop you know the problem

to encounter a cop you know the problem

to encounter a cop you know the problem of police is not that you might get shot

of police is not that you might get shot

of police is not that you might get shot the problem is fear if you are afraid

the problem is fear if you are afraid

the problem is fear if you are afraid you do what you are told the southwest

you do what you are told the southwest

you do what you are told the southwest is being occupied by the police a quasi

is being occupied by the police a quasi

is being occupied by the police a quasi military force all in the name of

military force all in the name of

military force all in the name of stopping Mexicans from coming here to

stopping Mexicans from coming here to

stopping Mexicans from coming here to clean the house and plant the garden and

clean the house and plant the garden and

clean the house and plant the garden and I would suggest that historically issue

I would suggest that historically issue

I would suggest that historically issue on Vietnam showing all the publications

on Vietnam showing all the publications

on Vietnam showing all the publications and photographers with the correct

and photographers with the correct

and photographers with the correct publication dates who beat the drums of

publication dates who beat the drums of

publication dates who beat the drums of war then close with a long piece on the

war then close with a long piece on the

war then close with a long piece on the back bankers who like to take cycling

back bankers who like to take cycling

back bankers who like to take cycling trips to Vietnam with their wives when

trips to Vietnam with their wives when

trips to Vietnam with their wives when Vince asked me to come here we spoke on

Vince asked me to come here we spoke on

Vince asked me to come here we spoke on the phone and I said you know since I

the phone and I said you know since I

the phone and I said you know since I started as a journalist but I ended up

started as a journalist but I ended up

started as a journalist but I ended up in the art world and he said all

in the art world and he said all

in the art world and he said all photographers wanted to do that to have

photographers wanted to do that to have

photographers wanted to do that to have a gallery be careful what you wish for

a gallery be careful what you wish for

a gallery be careful what you wish for it is of course a so-called art world

it is of course a so-called art world

it is of course a so-called art world that has really driven the nails into

that has really driven the nails into

that has really driven the nails into the coffin of photography so that what

the coffin of photography so that what

the coffin of photography so that what then is the point of this all I think

then is the point of this all I think

then is the point of this all I think the point remains what it was for me as

the point remains what it was for me as

the point remains what it was for me as a boy I wanted to change America that is

a boy I wanted to change America that is

a boy I wanted to change America that is the point that is the point of all good

the point that is the point of all good

the point that is the point of all good books as male or wrote and I use my

books as male or wrote and I use my

books as male or wrote and I use my words here not his the point is to

words here not his the point is to

words here not his the point is to replace the rotten hysterical fear and

replace the rotten hysterical fear and

replace the rotten hysterical fear and greed driven myths that have so much

greed driven myths that have so much

greed driven myths that have so much power

power

power or with our own myths truth justice and

or with our own myths truth justice and

or with our own myths truth justice and the beauty of this our mother earth

the beauty of this our mother earth

the beauty of this our mother earth thank you