Eugene Bullard is considered to be the first African-American military pilot to fly in combat, and the only African-American pilot in World War I. He never, however, flew for the United States.
Born October 9, 1895, in Columbus, Georgia, Bullard’s early youth was unhappy. He made several unsuccessful attempts to runaway from home until, at the age of 11, he ran away for good. He spent several years wandering the South in search of freedom. In 1912 he stowed away on a German freighter bound for Hamburg, and ended up in Aberdeen, Scotland. From there, he made his way to London, where he worked as a boxer and slapstick performer in Belle Davis’s Freedman Pickaninnies, an African American entertainment troupe. In 1913, Bullard settled in Paris, where he finally experienced a sense of home.
In the summer of 1914, Bullard enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. While serving with the 170th Infantry Regiment, Bullard fought in the Battle of Verdun, where he was wounded seriously. He was sent to Lyon to recuperate. While on leave in Paris, Bullard bet a friend $2,000 that despite his color he could enlist in the French flying service. Bullard’s determination paid off, and in November 1916 he entered the Aéronautique Militaire.
Bullard received his wings in May 1917. In November 1917, he claimed two aerial victories. During his flying days, Bullard is said to have had an insignia on his fighter plane that portrayed a heart with a dagger running through it and the slogan “All Blood Runs Red.” He earned the nickname “The Black Swallow of Death”.
Y’all know how I feel about WWI flyboys~
Archers are always badass
[ Photograph, full body shot. An asian women stands poised atop a streetlight, standing 3/4 position but looking to the viewer. She wears a sleeveless black brocade top with mandarin collar, a long red skirt slit up the side, black leggings and high white Converse…
oppressedbrowngirlsdoingthings:
A Ninjutsu practitioner performs a split as members of various Ninjutsu schools showcase their skills to the media in a gym at Karaj, 45 km (28 miles) northwest of Tehran February 13, 2012. Currently about 3000 to 3500 women train in Ninjutsu in independently run clubs throughout Iran working under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports’ Martial Arts Federation. Picture taken February 13, 2012.
Fucking bad ass
four for you, oppressed brown girl. you go oppressed brown girl.
I think… I think I’m in love. I am having difficulty imagining anything more badass than this.
Augh too badass for reals
Tbourida is a traditional equestrian art and simulation of 15th century military tactics. These events are often staged as part of community celebrations in Casablanca.
Ph: John Francis Peters
Things that are always badass: CAVALRY.