Col. Edna W. Cummings (Ret.)
Particular to the AFRO
Roughly a million African-American women and men served at residence and overseas throughout World Conflict II. Preventing segregation throughout the ranks and in society, the likes of Doris “Dorie” Miller, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Montford Level Marines, the 761st Tank Battalion, the Pink Ball Categorical, the 6888th Central Postal Listing Battalion and others fought to show their patriotism and protect our democracy.
Serving with valor and distinction, African American servicemembers dispelled the pseudoscience about competence and talents based mostly on the colour of their pores and skin. However put up warfare, these veterans returned to a society that felt empowered to discriminate in opposition to Black veterans. Scores of heinous acts, advantages denial and entry to veteran’s assets, demonstrated the general public disrespect for his or her navy service.
Then got here Govt Orders 9981 and 9980, which desegregated the Armed Forces and the federal workforce on July 26, 1948. These legal guidelines had been first steps towards offering all People the liberty to serve. Though limitations to service are eroding, and ethnic variety has elevated nearly three-fold, the bottom share of racial illustration is amongst high-ranking officers in all service branches. Ongoing training about variety, fairness, and inclusion is required to make sure that we discover, nurture and keep expertise. Alongside the combat to protect democracy and freedom, our nation’s ongoing quest to finish discrimination continues.
The AFRO has deliberately reported on Black troopers and their achievements for our nation over the past century. In honor of the seventy fifth anniversary of the desegregation of armed forces in the US, the AFRO sends a salute to all those that have paved the best way for Black individuals serving within the navy.
