1968 His Chance Of Dying In Vietnam Equal To Dying In Chicago

The time is 1968. This short clip was filmed by a local TV news reporter at a protest in Chicago against the war in Vietnam. At this time, America was split 50/50 for and against the war. Young men were drafted based on a number system and the lower your number was, more likely you were to be drafted and become a soldier or sailor or airman or marine on your way to Vietnam.
I have dozens of hours of 16mm footage that I and documentary filmmaker colleagues took during the years 1966 to 1975. While looking through the footage I found this short clip which is a statement not only about the war in Vietnam but also about the safety of being a young person in the city of Chicago, Illinois. These days, in 2022, Chicago Illinois is one of America's most dangerous cities especially for black Americans. According to this gentleman, it was that way back in the late 60s - dangerous to be a young male.
I feel that his response is haunting, looking the reporter asking the question directly in the eye with a powerful response. It made me think of that time in the present day and I posted now with the hope that it will have the same effect on you.
David Hoffman filmmaker

[@global001]

Smart, well spoken, good looking, glint in his eyes but with a truthful, very sharp point to make. What’s not to admire. Hope he’s still around. Would love to hear his story.

[@Pedroisanickname]

I share your views 💯!

[@JenniferSerenity]

There is a book called "Bloods" by Wallace Terry that documents the stories of a few Black Americans who fought in Vietnam. This was a similar sentiment in the book. Thank you for capturing this moment on film!!

[@Imfarfromyourbuisness]

There is also a movie I believe ?

[@JenniferSerenity]

@@Imfarfromyourbuisness I think Spike Lee's film "Da 5 Bloods" was not based on the book I mentioned, but the film is about the experiences of some Black men who fought in the Vietnam War. I haven't seen the film yet but will see it soon. Thanks for this reminder!

[@cindysue5474]

@@JenniferSerenity Its a good movie.

[@MrUndersolo]

My brother bought it and I read it ages ago. One of the most painful memoirs of veterans of the war I've ever read.

[@cammantia3482]

I think Chicago today is worse than Vietnam today.

[@eFrog27]

Ofc it is. Vietnam is a beautiful country with good people. Corruption at the top, but that’s better than corruption at each step. Like Illinois here

[@nillehessy]

maybe think a while longer about it maybe think how statistics are made probably made here to twist reality and be pseudo numbers of the stupid statement

[@thatgui88]

@@eFrog27 dude I think our politicians are more currupt than the ones in Vietnam lmao. They had all this time in chciago but they haven't done any better in the last decade haha.

[@chosenone3119]

Vietnam is safer than most of America, I really don’t see the point of this comment

[@eFrog27]

@@thatgui88 that's what I'm saying. how many of the Illinois governors have served prison time? more than 1 lol

[@darthwizzywizard]

Poor guy. Hope he made it.

[@lightofchicagoproductionz9012]

Dats real talk...

[@jaywalkercrew4446]

Brave guy. Fucked if I was going over there 👉

[@hannibalburgers477]

@@jaywalkercrew4446 to Chicago? I googled to look at chicago homocide rates, while I couldnt find a well defined result (i mean no record of 1965 homocide percentage on surface net) i found this on wiki: Murder/homicide rate per 100,000 population 2022: 28 1970: 24 1960: 18 Yea, apparently situation is worse in modern times in chicago

[@jaywalkercrew4446]

@@hannibalburgers477 that’s danger ⛔️ glad people are not allowed 🚫 guns in 🇬🇧

[@robertkelly6282]

I had friends come from VN they told us the govt is lying do whatever to stay out we lived in nyc not sure how bad Chicago was

[@Supersquishyawesomeness]

When I see things like this I want to know more. I want to know if he made it home.

[@MrNuts70]

He was honest and that's really sad....

[@MrNuts70]

@Black Lesbian Poet Dodgy indeed....

[@dion1609]

He is right though, my uncle Gregory was shot in front of my father while walking home in Chicago when he was a kid.

[@peterfrank1572]

You know what the problem is ...CHICAGO IS STILL A PROBLEM! And that speaks to the evil of America (not black people) because it's a problem America purposefully DO NOT WANT TO FIX!

[@rickdaystar477]

In 1970 I had flown to Chicago O'Hare airport several times and spent time in metro Chicago. One visit I drove up from the South and passed through the notorious South Side and it was breathtaking. The poverty and crumbling tenaments was third world. The police would park at intersections two to a car and sit with the windows rolled up. The streets had trash piled along the curbs for miles. I could only imagine the crime that people had to endure. I can understand completely the sentiment that man was expressing. The topic is mortality? Vietnam is mentioned. Right now every year and a half TWICE as many people die in America than those who died in TWENTY YEARS of the Vietnam War. Every 18 months,twice as many die here in America from drug overdoses 78% from Fentanyl than killed in the 20 year war. This has to stop 🛑

[@irvinpeeples3004]

Reminds me of The TV show Good Times. That time JJ was shot. Thelma attacked on the street. Michael in The Gang. I Do hope this man had a Good Life.

[@Kable_TV]

The government is killing its own citizens by funneling methamphetamines and opioids into minority ghettoes

[@bpapao]

chicago, democrat controlled for over 40 years

[@rickdaystar477]

@@bpapao It's crazy open historic corruption for decades and the same crooks keep getting elected. Judges and politicians have gone to prison over the decades in Chicago.

[@Pedroisanickname]

@@bpapao that's because Republicans will always abandon humanity in it's time of need, unless it's politically expedient to not do so didn't you know that? Thanks for that discarded penny of a statistic by the way, it demonstrates how perfectly how ignorant, partisan hacks on tube exercise their 1st-A rights that are horribly undermined and under attack by big tech.

[@detroitrocker4098]

And yet Chicago is still a 50/50 proposition today...

[@todafett5865]

That’s generous

[@MrTee12]

@@tressietes04 Yup, Criminals damage the lives of so many people who are just trying to make it day to day in the environment they were born in.

[@JWF99]

What a terrible predicament to be in, where the odds of surviving War "felt" equally comparable to staying home! God I hope he made it! ✌

[@matarisambia8771]

** And if he made it. What? Back to the the same predicament **

[@AuroraBoarder1]

@@matarisambia8771 - not necessarily. He could take his GI money and new experience to move to a better place.

[@matarisambia8771]

@@AuroraBoarder1 * ** Uhmmmm **

[@MrTee12]

@@AuroraBoarder1 Nope...Those in power rejected Black veterans from even participating in this. Discrimination and Prejudice trumped federal laws kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZKZl42fpq2KgbM

[@tvviewer4500]

It is no different today.

[@matthewfarmer6830]

This looks like 1968 his options on Vietnam and living in Chicago. Thanks for sharing David.👍👍😎📼

[@Demebeso714]

Definitely 1968.. Yes

[@henryeberhardttargetedbycr7456]

Yep he's correct unfortunately. May Almighty God Bless and Protect The Good People In Chicago Amen 🙏

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Another commentor has quoted facts which seem to me to be correct that shows that in fact, his statistics are not correct. It was much more dangerous to be a warrior in vietnam then on the streets of Chicago. David Hoffman Filmmaker

[@henryeberhardttargetedbycr7456]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Obviously you weren't from the Ghettos of Chicago you sir are a fool !

[@JuiceGlasses]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Regardless of whether he was factually correct, that is how it felt to him.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

@@JuiceGlasses You are absolutely correct. I agree. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@kilroy2517]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker That is blindingly obvious, isn't it? The chances of being killed in Chicago were miniscule compared to being in Viet Nam. From a personal level I can understand what he's saying, but I doubt he was talking about the odds of being shot. I'd think he was talking more about the dangers of drugs and gangs, same as today.

[@drewpall2598]

This film footage leaves me to wonder whatever happen to Grogory? I hope he had beat the odds he predicted for himself and lived to a ripe old age. Thanks David Hoffman.

[@drewpall2598]

Gregory*

[@coreythompsonTheOneandOnly]

I live in Chicago, it's the truth, every day I go outside, it's the Godarn truth

[@andymullarx6365]

You should see Chicago now. I was around in the 60's and it was nothing like the lawlessness of 2022.

[@chosenone3119]

Lol but it sure was drug infested back then

[@johnjones8888]

Same people in charge then and now.....

[@TonyClifton3]

Thank you for sharing your work. With gratitude, Aaron Davalos

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you for the support Aaron. David Hoffman Filmmaker

[@cheri238]

Yes, I hope he is still with us. Thank you, David ♥️

[@terriharrigan891]

Always great stories David. Thank you

[@jbrise7560]

Sad, but true!

[@lightofchicagoproductionz9012]

Mr.Hoffman once again thnx foe preserving this footage .... im a Gangbanger from the Southside Chicago ... and this is very relevent even till this day ... its war all over ...people have beefs to settle

[@jackh8157]

Powerful as it gets, Hoff, thanks.

[@markbajek2541]

It would be interesting to find out if he survived his tour and if he escaped Chicago for good.

[@virchandrakumar8186]

This man has strong message.

[@dre201096]

Nobody know what we go thru mentally living here, having to make a way in a war zone

[@dre201096]

@Black Lesbian Poet idk what that means but peace and love 🫶

[@dre201096]

@Black Lesbian Poet okay

[@scapegoatiscariot2767]

Truth.

[@timedwards8944]

Love it Dave I'm about to go into your library thanks for the history bro no one holds a candle to you my friend 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Demebeso714]

Very Wise Very Handsome.. 💯% Black American!

[@Heliosphan33]

I hope he made it. Would like to know who he is.

[@rick3747]

So did Gregory go to Vietnam?

[@MrUndersolo]

I need to know what happened to this young man. And that reporter's shock at his response says it all.

[@IamwhoIam333]

I was in the 8th grade in 1968 and I remember talking about this amoungst the group of people I hung out with. That is how they felt too .

[@Literallyarealhuman]

❤️ well said

[@guinnster1]

0:25 wow!

[@talos2373]

Validated 100% today.

[@jackh8157]

As a young person, I often think about if I were born in those times. Different challenges for different generations

[@Gokusaiyan.]

Exactly what I always think about the past

[@RebelFlag61]

Man that’s raw

[@sharondrury5676]

I’ll have nightmares about this tonight. Haunting it is, Mr.Hoffman. I doubt I would have put Chicago at 50/50. This made me think hard. I was out of high school by 1968. A lot of my class ,of 36 students, had gone to Vietnam and luckily came home. Totally different locality than Chicago which has always been a dangerous place.

[@steveswm7742]

Sounds like Chicago hasn't changed that much....

[@TheLarinator]

While I was in Air Force basic training I got my draft notice. I ended my enlistment up in Alaska loading and unloading cargo planes. I just didn't want to Veit Nam and get shot at.

[@jamesnevitt3400]

Sir you are a smart man and you was blessed not to go.

[@borregoayudando1481]

I joked with a buddy of mine from boot camp since he came from the ghettos of south chicago that he was about as deployed to afg as he was back home.

[@gregorymcgee100]

Wow, that was 1968. Today he stands a better chance of coming back from Vietnam.

[@vensonj]

I feel like Denzel Washington got his whole acting style from this man lol

[@joel5644]

Funny you should say that. Glad I'm not the only one who was getting Denzel Washington vibes from him.

[@robert3III]

I have a great deal of respect for this man. I hope he made.

[@johno3288]

Prophetic!

[@TwilightStorm]

Pretty much the same view now. Especially from the media standpoint, of pretty much the world. Thanks for the clip.

[@patmaloney5735]

Do we know who this man is or where he served and if he returned?

[@leeward6762]

That's pretty heavy stuff, just off the cuff like that.

[@loganbro5945]

I thought he was Denzel Washington for a second

[@nickelassault]

I like they way they talk

[@RailPreserver2K]

Did the man you interveiw make it home ?

[@Barry101er]

Glad to see we have really moved on. Hope he made it back home.

[@johnnyhammer]

Have you seen the crime rate in Chicago recently?

[@franciscor390]

Everyone was so well dressed.

[@charleswilson9480]

Wow old video .. it’s the truth .

[@rickenbacker315]

Not much has changed..

[@MrTee12]

You know the saying....

[@gardengatesopen]

Bold Reporting for Bold Times. I hope he came back. And I REALLY HOPE it didn't mess with his head too badly... I wonder what the chances of that are... ?

[@janblackman6204]

So sad that’s all he has to look forward to

[@billkingston4402]

Same old stuff going on, you would almost think war was business

[@baronpedro9263]

Almost.

[@MrTee12]

It is. It's a Billion dollar business.

[@juannunez1929]

Powerful in it's honesty.

[@codingprograms2078]

How true his words are

[@davidstruck8109]

Jeez, given the choice Vietnam was probably the better option. At least in Vietnam he would have gotten a gun and body armor.

[@danityvanityinsanity]

That’s so sad. I think he was justified to feel that way, and this was over fifty years ago! Some things never change, for the better anyway.😒smdh

[@MrAdal206]

Powerful

[@desgood1495]

💔

[@daveclarke4035]

Great History in of American to the Pridence our great History 🌍 Jah rastafari live 💐🇧🇴🪴💐🇧🇴

[@MLeibs]

😔

[@kelvintorrence5994]

Truth

[@allentumminello2343]

It hasn’t changed much, has it?

[@venetia6296]

I’d like to know why Chicago continues its legacy? ✌️

[@stevehoward3475]

Forgive me as I'm not from the USA, I just saw a photo on "history in pictures" of over 50,000 dog tags of soldiers hanging from a library ceiling, that kinda brings their sacrifice into the spotlight🤔

[@RV_Chef_Life]

These Men could be drafted for other peoples freedom EXCEPT their own.

[@MrTee12]

@@tressietes04 Individual success is one thing. Living in a successful community of people is another.

[@GReid-ol5gk]

@@tressietes04 he's talking about our lack of socioeconomic and political infrastructure as a collective.

[@davidpar2]

If anything, the crime rate in Chicago has gotten worse

[@midnightspares]

Question- how many migrants from other countries in the last 15 years have permanently settled in Chicago? Is the number very low? Would be interesting to know.

[@kaialeo1320]

My growing up on 87th and Pulaski 💀

[@phoebesmith9089]

He knew his surroundings and was probably right. Sadly I think for black man in the United States things really haven’t changed.

[@JPriz416]

the man speaks the truth about the U.S. back then and now. progress has been made but not enough, there needs to be much Improvement in a country that is almost half racist. I'm a white guy who has fought against racism all my life. we all bleed red and that's all I need to call a person a friend. people who hate you because of your skin color don't come to my town you'll be carried out

[@articlered2334]

You do know he was probably talking about dying to his fellow blacks not everything is racism

[@31446963048]

You might he interested in a young film maker who has a yt channel. Remember WWII with Rishi Sharma. Hes 24 and has been documenting veterans stories since he was 18. I think you ll recognize his youthful passion.

[@kilroy2517]

1968 Vietnam: 549,500 US troops, 16,899 KIA = 3.1% 1968 Chicago: 7,106,000 people, 639 murders = 0.000089% Statistically, he was 342 times more likely to be killed in Viet Nam.

[@cleokey]

As a Vietnam vet, he was a bit off...but he believes it.

[@eskede4733]

Whose fault is that though?

[@MrTee12]

No one can choose their original birth place or family. It's a crapshoot. However, people have to realize as they grow older, how to navigate their lives in a manner that is satisfactory and profitable.

[@eddiel.4108]

And the odds were stacked more against him if he were in the deep south. It would have been 80-100% chance he wouldn't have made it out alive.

[@coollikethat2691]

💢Still relevant today💢

[@sneakysqekysnek5986]

And thanks to their lifestyle they're still dying in Chicago lol

[@VegazVillain]

This didn't age well. 🤣

[@RonHelton]

Chicago, now called Chiraq. ; )

[@mossiahcreatordesigner.5366]

Sounds about white to me!💯

[@mossiahcreatordesigner.5366]

@@tressietes04 learn fast!👀

[@detroitrocker4098]

I'm sure you mean black on black killing, especially in Chicago.

[@jtofgc]

This seems like it might be more truism than truth. Chicago's homicide rate in 1968 was 24 per 100000. Nearly 3/4 of victims were black and they made up roughly a third of the city's population so we can extrapolate a random black person's chance of being murdered around 54 per 100,000. Compare that to the nearly 60,000 Americans who died in Vietnam out of a total of 2.7 million who deployed. That's a rate of 2222 per 100,000.

[@Supersquishyawesomeness]

Shame on him not having a smart phone to check his facts.

[@fuckamericanidiot]

@@Supersquishyawesomeness Yup, such an asshole comment. Truism spread by who exactly?