Gordon Parks Part 3 and 4

What is your definition of successful?

My definition of successful is being able to do what you enjoy and reaching your goals.

What did Parks give up to become successful?

Parks gave up a successful family life, marriage in order to become a successful photographer.
Who was Genevieve Young's father?
Genevieve Young's father was a businessman.

How much was Parks advanced to write his first book (and eventual best-selling autobiography)?

Parks was advanced $10,000 to write his first book.How much money did Elijah Muhammad offer Parks to do a story on The Nation of Islam?

Elijah Muhammad offered Parks $500,000 to do a story on The Nation of Islam.Why did Parks refuse the money?

Parks refused the money because he thought Elijah was influencing him and he didn't believe in what he represented.What was significant about the movie The Learning Tree?

The Learning Tree was the first major studio feature film that was directed by an African American man. The movie was also considered a classic.
What was significant about the character Shaft?

Shaft was an African American action movie hero.What was Gordon Parks' choice of weapons?

His choice of weapons were photography, words and film.

What reason did Genevieve Young give for the divorce?

She thought it was too difficult to handle both her career and her marriage with Gordon Parks.
In 1984, Parks directed Solomon Northrup's Odyssey. What recent feature film told the same story?

12 Years a Slave told the same story as Solomon Northrup's Odyssesy.Who was Gordon Parks, jr?

Gordon Jr was Gordon Park's oldest son who directed the film, Superfly. Later, he was killed in a plane crash.
What is your favorite Gordon Parks photo?

My favorite Gordon Parks photo is American Gothic, Washington D.C. The picture shows a cleaning lady in front of an American flag.
What will you remember about Gordon Parks in ten years?
In ten years, I will remember his movies, music and especially his photography and its impact on the rest of the world.