I write this not as a resource diary but as an invitation, a request or even a temptation to do and even share research on a more complete version of American history.
As we recognize D-Day, I want to take a moment to shine a bright light on the superhero origin story that is our depiction of WWII.
I celebrate the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only African-American troops to land on the shores of Normandy. These 2000 soldiers, never depicted in the sanitized, self-reflecting versions of D-Day in film and history books, were relegated to labor and service roles (digging trenches, running supplies, etc.) because they were "colored" and were not allowed to lead a white man in any regard. They served in the segregated U.S. Army, fighting for a country that still murdered them with impunity. That denied them side-by-side seating in their mess halls and officers' clubs. That targeted them for lynching in their uniforms when they returned home. Today, please read about that.
Please also read about the "Double Victory" ("Double V") campaign from WWII. Learn how African-Americans fought for victory against hate abroad AND at home.
Please read about the GI bill. That may have bought your grandfather's first home. Paid for that college degree. Those benefits were not available to soldiers of color for myriad intentional and systemic reasons. Colored soldiers were disproportionately "dishonorably discharged" from service (and, therefore, ineligible). The training programs required schools that were open to Black students and had adequate equipment. They couldn't buy homes in most places or even get access to loans. Research how that generational wealth was institutionally denied.
About the "Rosie the Riveter" campaigns that made jobs available only to WASP women. Then reluctantly allowed Italian-American and Irish American women. Then finally allowed "colored" women to support the effort. Only to have white women hate strike until they were built segregated bathrooms. Think of all of the lives that were lost while this country delayed filling all of those machinist and welder positions for months and months...and again while those women walked out of factories and shut down production of vital items rather than share a bathroom with Black women.
Remember, or just find out for the first time today, that the war effort consistently took the bench seat to racism. Segregation and white primacy led.
And examine any reaction to this post trying to "ruin" D-Day or "shame good veterans" or "making everything about race." As you may be starting to see, everything already is and has always been about race in America. Your ability to live a life without ever thinking about race is not reflective of reality but of privilege. Rather than ask why everything has to be about race for POC, ask yourself why nothing seems to be about race for YOU. Our country will benefit from your ever-increasing education and self-awareness and acceptance.
In loving memory of my grandfather and grandcousin who served their countries with pride and courage and decoration...and for their tears and rage, decades later, still, as they recounted to us the debasement and hate they endured at the hands of those "good soldiers."
And to my grandmother who worked in a Baltimore factory, whom I'd called years ago while researching a script, sending her a photograph I'd found. "That's the window," she said. "I sat right there." Then she went to her den and said, "I'm going to send you something." And days later, in the mail, was a copy of her first paycheck in life. From that racist, hate-filled, life-saving factory. That filled her with pain and with pride.
The truth, the whole truth, of America is complex. It is real. And it matters.
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I'll leave one link here only, to one of many stories about the 320th. Rather than providing the rest, I ask/invite you to research just one historical fact from this post and share below. Or related stories and research of your own. Read about our Japanese American and Mexican American and Puerto Rican units (the latter also were segregated) and Native American heroes, too.