I've watched troop trains come home from WWII with Black soldiers in separate cars.

I've seen a Black general conduct a major campaign of war.

 

I was chased out of Lincoln Park, in my hometown of Chicago, as a youth because I was Black.

I've had a street in Grant Park named for me.

 
I was sent to the back of the bus while wearing my Navy uniform. Sailors of lower rank told me to leave a train station waiting room because it was "White Only."

I personally know four "Flag" officers (Generals and Admirals).  I was recognized by the first Black commanding officer of the U.S.S. Constitution—the oldest commissioned warship in the world—at his Change of Command ceremony.

 

I watched Governor George Wallace bar Black students from the doors of the University of Alabama, saying "…segregation forever," on a black and white TV.

On a giant High Definition screen I watched a Black quarterback throw a touchdown pass to a white receiver in a game between "’Bama" and "Ole Miss."

 
I saw the funeral for Emmit Till, a Black man from Chicago, who was tortured and murdered for allegedly whistling at a white woman in the South.

I've watched integrated couples stroll virtually unnoticed down the streets of Atlanta.

 

I've voted in every Presidential election since I was 21. But I had never seen a U.S. President in person, even though I’ve spoken with and even joked with the President of Sierra Leone.

A few weeks ago I sat not 75 feet from the first Black man to be elected to the Presidency of the United States of America.

 
Is it over?
 
Has racism ended?
 
Is true equality the rule in this land?
 

Hell no!

 
But, I can see the tide starting to turn, and deep in my heart I can say I am proud to be an American.




William D. Pinkney PhD (hc)

First Blackman to sail alone around the world via Cape Horn

Born Chicago, Illinois September 15, 1935

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class 1953-1961

We left the dock at around 8:30 this morning, after rafting up with Lettie G. Howard for the night. We spent the weekend in Portsmith, Virginia for some rest after the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. The race went very well I think, taking us about 20 hours doing an average of 6 ½ knots, with all sails for most of the trip. Pride of Baltimore II ended up winning but that is to be expected with the amount sail area she has.

So this is the last month for me onboard, just a couple more port stops before making the trip back up to Mystic; which includes Cambridge [MD] for a maritime festival, and then Chestertown [MD] for Sultana Downrigging Weekend [http://www.schoonersultana.org/downrigging08.htm]. Both of which should be a good time seeing as there will be some other tall ships in. I’m on watch now from noon to 4 [pm], then we will be anchoring before dark. Time to take the helm.

On Monday, October 13, I rejoined the crew of the Freedom Schooner Amistad in Baltimore, Maryland, for the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. On my first night aboard, several schooner crews were invited to a party aboard Mystic Whaler, with Capt. John Eginton serving up an unending supply of oysters, both raw and grilled.

The days leading up to the race were largely spent in preparation, with the crew doing a lot of maintenance on the boat, particularly working on the brightwork. As the docks in Baltimore's inner harbor filled up with dozens of other schooners, the Fell's Point area took on the flavor of a family reunion and even a first-timer like me found it easy to make new friends.

Among my new friends were the crew of the schooner Liberty, sailing out of Jersey City. I was walking along the quayside, looking for a place to get some crab cakes when Philip du Plessis, Liberty's owner, invited me aboard for dinner. While aboard, Philip and his wife, Sharon, told me about how they had only recently purchased Liberty and were still building their charter business with the help of their friend and captain, Bill Noe.

The organizing committee for the schooner race did a marvelous job and made sure that there were all sorts of activities for the schooner crews. There were concerts and shanty-sings, and a dinner at the Latin Palace restaurant. As an after-hours bonus, the crew of the Martha White, who had performed a dockside concert, continued with an impromptu jam session that lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Banjos, guitars and fiddles were handed around and many of us who had shown up to listen to the music ended up leading songs ourselves.

On Wednesday, there was a parade of sail through the harbor. I understand that this was the largest fleet of schooners that has assembled for the race and is, quite possibly, the largest group of schooners since the end of the age of sail. Whether this is so or not, it was an impressive sight as they made their way past the USS Constellation.

On Thursday, the schooners gathered south of the Annapolis bridge for the beginning of the race. With light air, Amistad had every stitch of canvas set and, at the sound of the starting horn, we were off! Almost immediately, the schooners Virginia and Pride of Baltimore II took the lead, their longer waterlines and greater spread of canvas giving them a definite advantage. Throughout the day, we sailed along with Lettie G. Howard and Lady Maryland, jockeying for position until sundown. Around midnight, the wind began to pick up and Captain John called all hands to strike the t'gallant, which involved lowering the sail and its yard to the deck, a process that proved to be much easier than it sounds.

Throughout the night, we made our way down the bay, watching the running lights of the other schooners and keeping a lookout for the frequent barges with their attendant tugboats. As the sun rose, we could only make out two schooners ahead of us, with several more on the horizon astern. We continued to plow on, passing the USS Cole as she made her way up the bay. Around 11:00am, we crossed the finish line in fourth place and began to take in sail as we made our way up the Elizabeth River into Portsmouth, Virginia, passing aircraft carriers and destroyers docked at the Norfolk Naval Base. When we arrived at the boat basin in Portsmouth, we came alongside the A. J. Meerwald and rafted up with her. That evening, the crews of the various schooners had their own informal festivities.

On Saturday morning (!), several schoolchildren came to visit the vessels and I helped demonstrate the use of mechanical advantage on the ship as the children hauled me aloft using a bosun's chair with a four-part purchase. At noon, shortly before the pig and oyster roast that was put on by the race committee, the Virginia hosted their own gathering in loving memory of their main gaff, which had broken during the course of the race.

With the race over, it was time for me to return to life ashore in New Jersey. I take with me memories of a great race and hopes for more sailing opportunities in the next season.  

Read more musings of the best Amistad's blogs author Paul Bryant-Smith and visit his blog "Boats, Music, Faith, Life."

So, here we are in Martha’s Vineyard (Vineyard Haven, to be specific); I have heard much about this place, all good things, and what I have seen so far is beautiful. It has been such a great summer with September quickly creeping up on us. Unfortunately, all good things have to end and a few of us are getting ready to depart. Jeremy will be leaving tomorrow to get back to Maine Maritime, I am sure going to miss him, and he was an important member of the crew and a good friend of mine. Also leaving will be our chief mate; John Papenhausen, who helped me better my sailing skills and kept us all together throughout the summer.

Hello my dears! Today I write you from the wonderful and colorful Provincetown Mass. Today my self and Jason have been going around the town taking in its unique sights and sounds. (especially the sights) For today was a rest for the crew before our trek down towards Martha's Vineyard. Where we shall continue telling the story of the ship for about a week.

Also it is here that we shall be loosing some of the crew that have been on since Charleston. I will be sad to see the go but it has been a fun few months with them and I’m really looking forward to the next three months with Jason onboard. (Oh in case you didn’t know Jason is my boyfriend, since I know I have mentioned him before). Till next time my dears, take care.

P.S I am trying to blog as much as I can remember but I’m always seeming to forget…quite a bit he he...

It’s a beautiful day in Portland today. My watch went out to breakfast with a couple of the organizers where we got to meet the mayor. We are in the middle of deck tours right now, We have a couple of kids on board who are the leaders I believe of the students who we will be working with this afternoon during our 3 hour days sail. Which should be fun we have been have some great sails.

Here we are back in Portland Maine after a very successful trip to Nova Scotia. It was especially nice in my hometown of Shelburne, everyone was so welcoming and family and friends did a great job of making everyone feel at home I believe. It was sad to leave I admit, I’ve been on since April and do miss everyone; being home actually made me miss it even more but it was great to show the crew around and show them how I grew up.

I really like Portland and it sounds like we have quite the events planned. That’s what I like about being on the Amistad, besides the sailing; is we get to go to such great places. Which is why I decided I’ll be staying on till November, there are some really exciting things coming up and I’ll make sure I’ll blog all about it. Until then I’m going to enjoy my time in Maine!

Hello everyone!! First of all I would like to apologies for the lack of blogs for quite some time (I do believe a month or two). But here I am in Halifax after an amazing two weeks in a city I love, and having my boyfriend visit me here too.  Also I have convinced him of the pleasures of life of the Amistad and what do you know he is joining the ships company in Portland Maine, which I am excited for.

Our stay here in Halifax has mostly consisted of day sails with Sankofa students, and deck tours for the public as well as guests onboard. We have had fog a lot of the time and as I write this blog it is raining. But Tuesday we depart Halifax for Shelburne then onward back to the states, which I am looking forward to most. Don’t get me wrong I love Canada but the chance to do what I love with a loved one is quite appealing. That and a schooner race that is happening but we shall go into that at a later date.

So thank you for reading my blog and I hope it is once again one of many to come.