Skip to main content

1964

This morning I received the photo below from my aunt.  The initial impact of it was kind of overwhelming when I opened it.  Mainly, with the age of the images and the rich history behind the people in it.  I had to take a step back and absorb the moment.  

I titled it just what it is, 1964.  I actually went online and searched events from that year and I found things that are important to me and my career goals.  One was President Lyndon B. Johnson declared "War on Poverty" in the U.S...  It's ironic that I would get it today of all days because I'm doing some research on films and photos from the 60's. 
 
The images took me to Blacksburg, S.C. March 1964.  This photo was taken by what I believe to be one of my grandfather's church members.  Why is it so important it's just a family photo?
It's a family photo that's been buried under the rubble of life for 44 years.  Somewhat of a fossil to my family.  A lady that sings in the church choir with my aunt has been holding on to it for all of these years.  She held my family close to her heart as if it was her own. She's probably in her late 70's early 80's but she never forgot.   

The moral of this blog is don't take still photo's for granted.  It's the only opportunity or often times the only reminder of who you are and whence you came.  Especially when those moments of stupidity and blindness occur. 

top left Rev. James Ledbetter (My Grandfather) died 1994
top right Lee Annis Ledbetter (My Grandmother) died 1991
bottom left Zelma Lebetter McQueen (My Mom) died 2006
bottom right Marion Ledbetter (My Uncle) died 2008



Comments

Anonymous said…
Wow, man. That's one powerful photo. Glad this treasure was delivered to you at this appointed time.

Photos tell the story when people are no longer available to do so. Much success for your photo book. I've been thinking about something similar myself.

blessings,
eb
November 19, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Anonymous said…
Hey, historical indeed and relevant. The picture by itself allows the viewer to see the voice in that time period.
November 19, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Anonymous said…
This is an amazing photo. I'm glad it was given to you. Photos are an incredible way to recreate the past. Pictures really are worth 1000 words and sometimes so much more. I look forward to checking out your photo book. You are very busy...keep up the good work.
Peace
K
November 19, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Anonymous said…
u always bring me to tears with you work
November 20, 2008 at 4:56 AM
Anonymous said…
Danielle looks just like your grandmother.
November 20, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Money Shot

The "Money Shot". It's not the type of shot where you look to get paid. It's the one that tells the largest story with the least amount of words. Today as I drove through Pen Lucy park, I saw this homeless lady at the stop light. I've driven through here daily for years and today was the first time I'd ever seen this lady. She was as worn as the soles of her shoes. She appeared to have the conscious mind of a 6 year old child. I only had about 20 seconds to capture the moment. It tends to be that way driving through the district where most of the show " The Wire " was filmed. Needless to say I was able to salvage what I referred to above as, " The Money Shot". After countless hours of studying the late great visual artist, Gordon Parks life stills, I've come to the conclusion that life stills are and should be timeless. They hold the frailties of life tight enough to crush them and soft enough to doctor them back to maximum h...
1 comment
Read more

The Measure of a Man.........

the details are below the photos it's a must read story for the men.... The title of this blog maybe familiar to some, it's that of the autobiography of actor Sidney Poitier.  When you mention his name the words courage, great, intelligent, daring, brilliant and faithful may come to mind.  I've got a new name that replaces those words, Von Johnson.   My friend. My brother.  My cousin.  My new HERO. How and what does that have to do with the title? Yesterday, I observed what it means to live the final portion of your wedding vows,  "till death do us part"...... I can't even put it into words how I felt yesterday.  The only word that comes close is "helpless".   It was one of the rare moments in life where you want to take someone else's pain and throw it down the river and start fresh. I learned what the measure of a man is all about.   Can you live on life's edge and handle all it dishes out?  Can you stand in the toughest moments of opposit...
22 comments
Read more

The Players That You Never Knew

With the opening Friday Night of the 2014 high school football season on the horizon, every barbershop in every small-town in America is probably buzzing with the conversation of who are greatest high school football players of all time.  It's a valid question considering the pool of talent that passes through most small towns.  People often wonder where these guys end up long after their playing days are over.  I've often asked the same question about many of my ex-teammates. Two in particular, Darius Brewnington and Kenny Shaw. If you were an athlete in the early 1990's they were arguably considered two of the most influential athletes in North Carolina's rich high school football history.  Unfortunately, like many other high profile athletes life happens.  However, even with the growing pains of life every man has his day of redemption.  With Darius and Kenny being former teammates of mine I wanted to see for myself who they are 20 years removed fr...
5 comments
Read more