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The United States has always been reluctant to treat Black service personnel with honor and dignity.
Let’s reflect on the stories of a few Black veterans this #MemorialDay with stories taken from my book, #MakingOurWayHome. http://Blairimani.com/books
Let’s reflect on the stories of a few Black veterans this #MemorialDay with stories taken from my book, #MakingOurWayHome. http://Blairimani.com/books
Doris Miller was the first Black American to receive the Navy Cross for his actions to save fellow soldiers during the Pearl Harbor attack.
The cross was only awarded after campaigning from the NAACP & Black pubs like the Pittsburgh Courier.
Miller died in action in 1943.
The cross was only awarded after campaigning from the NAACP & Black pubs like the Pittsburgh Courier.
Miller died in action in 1943.
In 1917, the US military established segregated infantiles for soldiers of color including the 92nd and 93rd Infantry divisions.
Of the 370,000 Black Americans that enlisted during WW1, half were assigned to these divisions and half forced to serve as cooks and messmen.
Of the 370,000 Black Americans that enlisted during WW1, half were assigned to these divisions and half forced to serve as cooks and messmen.
One distinguished group within the 92nd Infantry was called the #HarlemHellfighters. The soldiers had to join ranks with the French military in order to fight for their own country, America.
In 1918, the Hellfighters became the first Black & Puerto Rican soldiers to see combat.
In 1918, the Hellfighters became the first Black & Puerto Rican soldiers to see combat.
In 1925, the US Army War College issued a racist memorandum titled “The Use of Negro Manpower in War” which presented pseudoscience claiming Black pilots were ‘inherently inferior’ to their white counterparts. #MemorialDay
By August 1941, pressure from Black publications and civil rights organizations resulted in the formation of a segregated Air Corps based at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in US history and made an indelible mark.
Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in US history and made an indelible mark.
On the home front, Black women enabled US industry to support soldiers abroad.
Of the one million Black people who joined the workforce during WWII, 60% were Black women.
Black women were paid less than white women and were relegated to more dangerous and risky jobs.
Of the one million Black people who joined the workforce during WWII, 60% were Black women.
Black women were paid less than white women and were relegated to more dangerous and risky jobs.
When Black veterans returned home, initiatives like the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act aka the #GIbill excluded them from accessing the American Dream.
Federal programs like #redlining resulted in 98% of housing loans between 1934 and 1968 going to white families.
Federal programs like #redlining resulted in 98% of housing loans between 1934 and 1968 going to white families.
The War in Vietnam saw the highest proportion of Black military service of any war in American history while simultaneously being the war least supported by Black Americans at the time.
In 1967 alone, 64% of eligible Black folks were drafted compared to 31% of eligible whites.
In 1967 alone, 64% of eligible Black folks were drafted compared to 31% of eligible whites.
When pundits and politicians ask “Do You Support The Troops?” consider America’s own history and present of failing to support soldiers outside of straight white male bodies.
Don’t stop here. Keep learning.
Support @BlackVetProject founded by @crtv_drctr.
Don’t stop here. Keep learning.
Support @BlackVetProject founded by @crtv_drctr.
If your interest has been piqued by this brief thread I highly recommend buying a copy of my book, #MakingOurWayHome with illustrations by @thelittleanimal. Audiobook performed by @TayZonday.
Let’s learn about real American history. http://Blairimani.com/books
Let’s learn about real American history. http://Blairimani.com/books
