Nick Ut receives National Medal of Arts

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oftheherd

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https://www.ap.org/press-releases/2020/ap-photographer-nick-ut-receives-national-medal-of-arts

Channel 4 news in Washington DC reported that while he was walking on the streets away from the ceremony, he was attacked by someone who didn't like him because he was carrying a camera and was apparently part of a press organization.

Mr. Ut is 70 years old. He was injured when he fell on a small fence surrounding a tree on the sidewalk but is apparently not seriously hurt.

Don't know if this has bee reported in another thread he or not. Just a report on Mr. Ut for those who may be familiar with some of has work.
 
Very sad to hear this. I hope he is ok physically and emotionally.

Honestly, you have to have increased situational awareness these days. Some people are unpredictable and worse, violent. I encourage people to take some type of self-defense or situational-awareness course. And also, understand what happens to your body and mind during these types of conflicts. Violence is complex.

When I was working in Boston pre-Covid and riding the commuter rail and transit, and walking the city, I was always aware of who was around me and especially how I was positioned near the tracks - especially when the train car was approaching.

My computer bag was always slung across my shoulders so my hands were free to defend myself should I have to (no phone in hands or headphones listening to music). However, you want to avoid any physical confrontation whatsoever as best you can and get out of the situation safely.

I had several instances - one on Boston recently and the other in Worcester years ago - where I was approached and targeted and the situation was developing (no words exchanged) but at the last minute, both persons decided not to "interact" with me. These interactions lasted only seconds and I picked up on them before they fully developed. I wasn't posing, or puffing up, or tense posturing. All they had was my attention and they knew I was aware of them.

Perhaps I emitted an "aura" of don't bother with this guy? I don't know, but I truly feel there's also a meta-physical and non-verbal dimension to these types of predatory encounters that is not discussed frequently and I feel contributed to the diffusion of these situations.

I do hold a 2-Dan in traditional Okinawan Karate-Do (my certificates and registration issued by the Okikukai in Okinawa) and am conditioned with over a decade in Sanchin training/testing (amongst other techniques). I kata and kumite/bunkai train with advanced Dan ranks and can absorb a good amount of body blows (kote-kitae - body conditioning). Perhaps they picked up a signal from my relaxed body posture, glance, something else they made them re-asses and walk away? Perhaps they walked away to find an easier target? I don't know.

"Expect nothing, be ready for anything..."

Anyway, please be safe out there.

Recommended reading: Meditations On Violence by Rory Miller.
 
This story about Nick Ut's attack makes me both sad and angry. Sometimes it seems the world is turning on itself, eating itself.
 
raydm6 said:
Very sad to hear this. I hope he is ok physically and emotionally.

Honestly, you have to have increased situational awareness these days. Some people are unpredictable and worse, violent. I encourage people to take some type of self-defense or situational-awareness course. And also, understand what happens to your body and mind during these types of conflicts. Violence is complex.

When I was working in Boston pre-Covid and riding the commuter rail and transit, and walking the city, I was always aware of who was around me and especially how I was positioned near the tracks - especially when the train car was approaching.

My computer bag was always slung across my shoulders so my hands were free to defend myself should I have to (no phone in hands or headphones listening to music). However, you want to avoid any physical confrontation whatsoever as best you can and get out of the situation safely.

I had several instances - one on Boston recently and the other in Worcester years ago - where I was approached and targeted and the situation was developing (no words exchanged) but at the last minute, both persons decided not to "interact" with me. These interactions lasted only seconds and I picked up on them before they fully developed. I wasn't posing, or puffing up, or tense posturing. All they had was my attention and they knew I was aware of them.

Perhaps I emitted an "aura" of don't bother with this guy? I don't know, but I truly feel there's also a meta-physical and non-verbal dimension to these types of predatory encounters that is not discussed frequently and I feel contributed to the diffusion of these situations.

I do hold a 2-Dan in traditional Okinawan Karate-Do (my certificates and registration issued by the Okikukai in Okinawa) and am conditioned with over a decade in Sanchin training/testing (amongst other techniques). I kata and kumite/bunkai train with advanced Dan ranks and can absorb a good amount of body blows (kote-kitae - body conditioning). Perhaps they picked up a signal from my relaxed body posture, glance, something else they made them re-asses and walk away? Perhaps they walked away to find an easier target? I don't know.

"Expect nothing, be ready for anything..."

Anyway, please be safe out there.

Recommended reading: Meditations On Violence by Rory Miller.
Click to expand...

Worth quoting for a second look. Especially showing yourself aware of possible assailants without looking fearful or aggressive. It won't work every time but it will work often. Bad guys who aren't too high are usually looking for easy marks. If you don't look like one you are less likely to be one.

One doesn't want to risk sacrificing one's camera without very good reason, but once in Korea, a man demanded another man's Oly OM. He got it, swung by the strap, up against the his head. I can only guess at the size of the lump he must have had developing on his head as he ran off.

At the same time, regardless of the expense for replacement, one should not risk their life for their gear. Mr Ut was worried about his camera which may have contributed to his injuries, and his assailant apparently wasn't after the camera, just showing his bravery.
 
Sad, what happened to him while out in our U.S. Capital.

Especially now.

He received the award from bone spurs who skipped serving in the military and, more than likely, going to Vietnam.

I was still in Vietnam (1972) when he made a historic photograph for which he received the Pulitzer Prize of the young girl hit by napalm.

Link to the photo:

http://100photos.time.com/photos/nick-ut-terror-war
 
He seems to be okay. I've met him multiple times and he's always so friendly and quite funny!

IZcDknB.jpg
 
Thanks for the clarification xasthur. I would have sworn I read that it was the same evening he got the award. Obviously that was wrong.

Anyway, he was accosted and I am glad he was not more seriously hurt.
 
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