The Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military airmen, possessed a strong personal desire to serve the United States to the best of their ability. Due to racial discrimination, African American servicemen were not allowed to learn to fly until 1941. “Those [African Americans] who possessed the physical and mental qualifications were accepted as aviation cadets to be trained initially as a single engine pilots and later to graduates or undergraduates.”[i]
[i] http://tuskegeeairmen.org/history.html

Paradoxically, even during the Civil War the Union army maintained segregated regiments. The significance of this is underscored by the fact that ten percent of the Union Army was African American. The slogan for the World War I was "Make the World Safe for Democracy.”[i] “The following week the war department stopped accepting black volunteers.”[ii] Limitations during World War I stated that no black men were allowed in the Coast Guard, Marines, or Air Force. African Americans have played a significant role in U.S. military history over the last 300 years, though they were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before the 1940’s blacks were barred from flying for the U.S. military, but to the law later declaring blacks and whites separate but equal, black men were given the chance to train and join any division during World War II. The formation of the Tuskegee Airmen provided a place for black pilots to learn and prove themselves to a country that did not believe in them.
[i] http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ww28.html
[ii] Bryan, Jami. “Fighting for Respect: African-American Soldiers in WWI.” On Point, 2003

Since the Revolutionary War in 1775, almost 200 years after the first slaves were brought to America, African Americans were considered second class citizens. In the Revolutionary War 5,000 black men served in the Continental Army, with many restrictions and without the respect of fellow white soldiers. Despite many whites’ objections to African Americans participation in the war, Crispus Attucks, a black man, ironically started the war. Though the equality of African Americans was a common goal, many blacks understood that though many Northerners agreed they should be free they also believed that blacks should be separate but not equal.

Thesis

This quotation from former Tuskegee Airmen, Frank McGee, suggests that in World War II, a time where the law recognized minorities as separate but equal, African Americans were excluded from opportunities and victories were limited due to lack of opportunity. In striving to show their patriotism the Tuskegee Airmen’s victories led not just to the success of African Americans in the Air Force but also political contributions to American Society. The airmen’s impressive combat record led to the improvement of circumstances for African Americans in war. The airmen’s unexpected accomplishments sparked the reexamination of taboo ideas such as equal rights and job opportunities. Ultimately their success in World Was II was a major factor leading to the Civil Rights movement which ultimately improved African American Standing in American Society.

Bill Terry- Fellow Airmen

Bill Terry, the man I am interviewing was a tuskegee Airmen and the president of the Tuskegee Academy. He grew up in Compton and attended UCLA. In an attempt to serve his country he applied for the air force and was rejected. With patriotism in his heart he moved to Alabama and trained with the Tuskegee Airmen. Some questions I am thinking of asking him are...

1. While living in California what knowledge did you have of the Tuskegee Academy?
2. What were the major differences between California and Alabama?
3. What affect did the Jim Crow laws have on the people of the south?
4. How hard was it is to keep patriotism for a country who did not treat you equal?
5. What sense did you get when first arriving to the base?
6. Was there a lot of support between the men working there?
7. Do you believe that the success of the Tuskegee Airmen sparked the Civil Rights movement?
8. Can you tell me a little bit more about the injustice of the Freeman Field and effect you were anticipating when entering even though you were not allowed?
9. Quoted under your name is “A giant Step for equality” how does that make you feel?
10. What deemed the black officers club with such a shameful name as Uncle Tom’s Cabins?
11. What do you think the Tuskegee Academy symbolized in America?
12. How were your relations with the white volunteers?
13. How does it make you feel that many people believe that your bravery sparked the positive evolvement for our country today?
14. How intense was the training for the Tuskegee Airmen to be considered the best pilots in the country?
15. How strong was the support of other African Americans for your courageous accomplishments?
16. How do feel about the Tuskegee Airmen’s record in combat destroying over 1000 German aircrafts, flying more than 15,000 sorties, receiving hundreds of Air Medals, and more then 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses?
17. How hard was it to fulfill a dream without support or the apparatus?
18. What was it like after working at the Academy the dinners, the talks, and the music?
19. How did your views of the U.S. change after experiencing the strict segregation because I recall you saying something about counting the ratios of blacks to whites which is something you did not do before?

Library Trip

Spending the whole day at UCLA has been interesting. It is a school filled with resources and at first I had a very hard time figuring out the maze-like library. I then figured it out and found about 5 books. It should be helpful. All the books talk about the situtation for African Americans in World II and focus on the Air Force. I will definetly come back here but the problem that I encountered was that some of the books I wanted were in the special collection and I was not allowed to see them. But overall I found that the YRL was very helpful and have yet to find anything in the Powell.

Interview
I have continued to read about the Tuskegee Airmen and have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview with a fellow airmen. He was a beneficial part in the fight for equal rights in World War II as a pilot. He has used his recollections to speak at schools across the couontry. It is now important that I formulate a list of questions to ask him . Next blog...