Ari Sesu Merretazon Part 3: Life After Prison
This work led to alliances with Daisy Bates and made its way into a major African American newspaper Jet Magazine. However, this work was not easy, Ari faced major battles with team leaders of his organization, the Arkansas county school board, and other influential organizations. Despite these struggles, Ari was able to create an effective veterans assistance program, make a name for himself, and initiate great change outside the political office. The interview also discusses how Ari’s traumatic brain injury occurred and how it has impacted different aspects of his life. From there, Ari discusses his relationship with his children and how his son’s health helped them to develop a close relationship. Discussing reparations for veterans is an important part of the final interview. Ari continuously talks about the impediments he faces with organizations like N’COBRA, the IBW 21st century group. Because of all these different organizations influencing governmental policies and lobbying, competing visions for reparations emerged. Reconciliation and reparations are two important factors that must be evaluated in order to combat the struggles faced by all veterans. Although it is not a perfect solution, Ari mentions how it is an important first step. The interview concludes with Ari’s connection to his culture – how his name is a representation of his spirit: hard-working and determined – how Ari’s work has aided many veterans, and how hard veteran reparation struggles have been.
The oral history collection of Ari Sesu Merretazon illustrates the ongoing struggles among Black veterans to receive equal treatment, veterans' benefits, and acknowledgment of their experiences during and after military service. As the war in Vietnam raged on, so did the war of racial inequality. Ari’s experiences and advocacy beyond Vietnam helped fuel his work with the V.A., reparations for racial division on institutional levels, and ensuring a sense of community and blood-love remained. Not only is this work essential to creating equitable conditions for the black community in all aspects of American society but for promoting equality in a public manner.
[00:00:00] Interview introduction and consent
[00:01:55] Involvement with Vietnam Veterans of America
[00:05:52] College education
[00:09:07] Documentation of incarcerated veterans before Congress
[00:09:22] Rights for veterans through the Veterans Assistance Organization
[00:11:40] Ari’s work with the Arkansas State Press Newspaper
[00:13:44] Experiences in Little Rock, Arkansas [00:17:49] Impact in Little Rock
[00:19:26] Return to working with incarcerated veterans in prison
[00:20:20] Arkansas school board elections
[00:23:30] Ari’s family and children
[00:25:30] Malcolm Gram and his kidney transplant
[00:28:40] Near-death experience
[00:32:44] Effects of the traumatic brain injury
[00:33:38] Moving to Philadelphia
[00:34:08] Relationship with children
[00:39:00] Activism and reparations
[00:47:13] Difference between reconciliation and reparation
[00:49:20] Cultural connections
[00:51:35] 10-year struggle of veterans in Philadelphia
[00:55:00] The role of the United States in war and racial relations
[00:56:42] Advice to active and retired military
[00:59:12] Tracing heritage
[01:01:02] Advice to students
[01:10:52] Concluding remarks
This page has paths:
- Ari Sesu Merretazon, At War Jason Higgins
- Ari Sesu Merretazon Jason Higgins
- Ari Sesu Merretazon, Life After War Jason Higgins