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Lonnie Smith knew his son was talented at a very young age. His son Kambel Smith has autism and for a long time struggled with understanding his son.
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According to MSN, Kambel as a young kid would draw pictures and hide them inside a vent. The sketches were of a superhero named “Survivor” that he created. When his dad saw them he knew he wanted to get more exposure for his son.
At the age of 15, Kambel began taking art classes and did oil painting landscapes. As the paints and canvases ran out, Kambel decided to do more. He made large sculptures of buildings in Philadelphia from cardboard and foam he found in the trash.
Kambel, who is now 32, said, “I just show who I am.”
For years Lonnie tried to get his son noticed for his talent, but it wasn’t until last September when Kambel was outside his home spray-painting a massive piece of art. His neighbor, Barbara Gettes walked by and Lonnie spoke to her about his art work and background story.
After hearing the story and looking at all the artwork, Gettes said, “I had a great network of creative people, maybe somebody will know something.”
Through social media, Kambel was able to connect with a curator and months later his work was on display at the Elaine de Kooning House.
Kambel, who doesn’t speak out at much mentioned that he loved seeing his artwork on display. Lonnie hopes that his son can inspire other children living with autism and help people understand not to have judgement on those that are autistic.
Check out vintage photos of Black history being made in America below.
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Vintage Photos Of Black History Being Made In America
Vintage Photos Of Black History Being Made In America
1. Harriet Tubman
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2. Martin Luther King and civil rights leaders
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3. Black Panthers
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4. Tuskeegee Airmen
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5. Books Are Weapons Poster
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6. World War II 93rd Infantry
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7. Rosa Parks
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8. Integrated Classroom in North Carolina
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9. African American Students Enter High School with Military Escort
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10. Lunchcounter Protest in Virginia
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11. Harry Belafonte Leads Civil Rights Rally
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12. Malcolm X's Funeral
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13. Martin Luther King's Funeral
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14. Lynching Victim Hanging Above Crowd
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15. W.E.B. DuBois
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16. Booker T. Washington
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17. The 369th, 15th New York who won the Croix de Guerre for Gallantry
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18. Mutilated Corpse of Claude Neal
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19. Segregated Fountain
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20. Womens Defense Corp of America
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21. Crowd Waiting to Enter Supreme Court
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22. Black Students Integrate Little Rock's Central High School
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23. Troops Watch as Black Students Go to School
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24. Segregated Restrooms
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25. Portrait Of Medgar Evers
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26. Separate Waiting Room
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27. Race riots in Birmingham, Alabama.
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28. A White Man Bars African-Americans From Restaurant
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29. Myrlie Evers Speaking at Microphone
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30. A Young Marcher
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31. Civil Rights Fighters
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32. Elijah Muhammad
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33. Anti Segregation In The Southern Stores March At Broadway In New York
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34. Selma to Montgomery March
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35. Selma to Montgomery March
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36. Soldiers at Civil Rights Protest
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37. Luther King's Funeral
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38. Coretta Scott King
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39. 'Kidnapped' Poster At Black Panther Rally
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40. 'Right On!' Black Power Button
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Continue reading Vintage Photos Of Black History Being Made In America
Vintage Photos Of Black History Being Made In America
From the moment enslaved Africans were kidnapped and brought to the land that went on to be called the United States, there has been Black history in America. Black folks have overcome obstacle after obstacle to continue making that same history in the face of adversity. So with Black History Month upon us, there may be no better time to reflect on the timeless and seemingly endless contributions that Black people have bestowed upon these United States. From fighting for desegregation to fighting in the American military to fighting for an education, and much, much more, the struggle was very real. And while Black folks have continued the fight on a number of different levels, the struggle has persisted. Civil rights have played a major role for the Black man in America, something that is more than apparent in the below vintage photos of Black people making history in America despite a greater power at work against it. It shows the good, the bad and, because it was in the U.S. during a time of heightened, overt racism, the ugly. Scroll down to see more classic images from centuries ago up until just a few short decades ago.
Black Autistic Artist Being Praised For Building Sculptures was originally published on getuperica.com
