Blacks in WWII & Vietnam

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses how different were the two circumstances in World War II and the Vietnam War for black soldiers. The writer examines what is being said about those wars today and the African American soldier's participation in them. This research paper puts a microscope of comparison and contrast on the issue of black soldiers and those two wars. The essay determines that the available books, journalism and critical writing about the black experience in Vietnam is far more useful in terms of doing research on the experience for blacks than materials on WWI.

Outline:
World War II, Vietnam and Black Soldiers
Purpose of Study
Opening Statement
Assumption
Discussion of Findings - Black Soldiers and WWII
Discussion of Findings - Black Soldiers and Vietnam
Recommendations
Conclusion/Summary
Works Cited

From the Paper:

"War is hell. The cliche still works, years after someone first uttered those words. It always will work whether it be Iraq, Vietnam, or Omaha Beach. But when you're black and fighting a war for a nation that excludes you from the mainstream of its social and political life back home, as it was true for blacks in WWII, it's a double dose of hell. Because, in the case of World War II, if you're black, you know when you get home the same injustice and roadblocks to justice await you. You know that jobs for African Americans will not offer the same opportunities for advancement when you get home, schools for your children will not be as modern as schools for white children, and even the right to vote may be in doubt. All those unpleasant realities notwithstanding, the African American soldiers fought hard and long and bravely in WWII, and in the end, whether immediate recognition was forthcoming or not, whether social justice was just over the horizon or not, those troops and their families knew the sacrifices they made were many and exemplary."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem. Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes. New York: Broadway Books, 2004.
• Bailey, Beth, & Farber, David. "The 'Double-V' Campaign in World War II Hawaii: African Americans, racial ideology, and federal power." Journal of Social History 26.4 (1993): 817-844.
• Baker, Vernon. "Interview Excerpt." American Valor. Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 12 Dec. 2006 from http://www.pbs.org/weta/americanvalor/stories/baker_interview.html.
• Carson, Italia A. "Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes." The Army Lawyer. DA PAM 27-50-378.
• Dower, John W. War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War. New York: Pantheon Books, 1986

More papers on Blacks in WWII & Vietnam:

• Essay # 73443 : "Japan's involvement in WWII"
• Analytical Essay # 54639 : "War and the African-American Community"
• Essay # 59916 : "All That We Can Be"

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