Media Device #8

http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/Tuskegee_Airmen_History.html

Tuskgee airmen--history

Historically black men have had to attempt to "prove" themselves. In the article we read Johnson chapter 6 titled, what it has to do with us. This article is about how people feel that they should talk about power, privilege, and difference, but is scared to talk about it. It also talks about individualism. It talks about how a male has a certain stereotype of being sexists, and that men are evil. This chapter mentions that society is divided into social classes, which in reality divides social classes into racial groups.
The Tuskegee Airmen is a group of all Black males flying in the military. This is a group of highly qualified men who were discriminated against because they were black. This was during a time when segregation was still not uncommon, and that black men specifically were in a position where they had to prove themselves to others. They had to fight for the privilege, and power that other (white) men were automatically given. The article about the Tuskegee Airmen states this, "Each one accepted the challenge, proudly displayed his skill and determination while suppressing internal rage from humiliation and indignation caused by frequent experiences of racism and bigotry, at home and overseas. These airmen fought two wars - one against a military force overseas and the other against racism at home and abroad." There were issues at the original site of the Tuskegee Airmen, so they were transferred to Godman Field, Kentucky, where they continued to be racially profiled, and segregated from the outnumbering white officials. They were, ordered to not attend the Officers’ Club on the premises of the base. Those officers who were participating in the segregation of a military base were soon arrested, however most of the charges were dropped, until 1995 when one of the men was finally tried. A quote from this article portrays the harsh racism they endured, regardless of their outstanding achievements,
“After the war in Europe ended in 1945, black airmen returned to the United States and faced continued racism and bigotry despite their outstanding war record. Tuskegee Army Air Field continued to train new airmen until 1946, with women entering the program in several support fields. Large numbers of black airmen elected to remain in the service but because of segregation their assignments were limited to the 332nd Fighter Group or the 477th Composite Group, and later to the 332nd Fighter Wing at Lockbourne Air Base, Ohio. Opportunities for advancement and promotion were very limited and this affected morale. Nevertheless, black airmen continued to perform superbly. In 1949, pilots from the 332nd Fighter Group took first place in the Air Force National Fighter Gunnery Meet at Las Vegas Air Force Base, Nevada.”
I think personally the group of young men who stuck with the torment and harassment from our own military officials have a large amount of courage. Despite the racism, they achieved some of the most outstanding numbers in the war, and despite not being accepted, proved their power and proved their privilege rights. The Tuskegee Airmen are now well known around the country, and participate in many air shows across the nation. I have had the opportunity to meet some of them, and it baffles me to think that these men, who are extremely intelligent and outgoing, had to put up with the racism, and discrimination.