Washington, D.C. in 1942 was not the easiest place in the world for a Negro to get along.

And I think that after nearly 85 years upon this planet that I have a right after working so hard at showing the desolation and the poverty, to show something beautiful for somebody as well.

I bought my first camera in Seattle, Washington. Only paid about seven dollars and fifty cents for it.

You know, the camera is not meant just to show misery.

Enthusiasm is the electricity of life

But I was very disappointed that I didn't get a chance to go overseas with that group, might not have gotten back but I wanted very much to go because there's not much of a record of the exploits of the first Negro fighter group.

I suffered evils, but without allowing them to rob me of the freedom to expand.