In the early 1940’s, the battles of World War II ravaged western Europe. However, the battles of World War II weren’t the only battles being fought. While the US participated in the war across the sea, the battle for racial justice was also underway at home. It was during World War II that despite the unfounded and harsh stigmas surrounding African Americans the first African American air force unit, the Tuskegee Airmen, was created in 1941. Through their brave and integrity, the Tuskegee Airmen (also known as Red Tails) changed the perception of blacks and aided the movement for civil rights for African Americans in the United States.
“Blacks are mentally inferior,by nature subservient, and cowards in the face of danger. They are therefore unfit for combat” is the opening quote to the 2012 war film Red Tails, based on the efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen. And as hard as it is to believe, this was a common perception of black Americans by white Americans in 20th century America. Because of this, despite the successes of the Tuskegees, whites were still blind to their evident capability, shown when a newspaper story written about the Tuskegees within the movie called their service ”unsatisfactory” and “a failure”. This low expectation of the Tuskegee Airmen is strongly defied after they skillfully and successfully execute Operation Shingle. …show more content…
The Tuskegee Airmen showcased their competence and talent when they managed to go above orders and take down an entire German base, as well as succeed in the assigned task of providing air
“Blacks are mentally inferior,by nature subservient, and cowards in the face of danger. They are therefore unfit for combat” is the opening quote to the 2012 war film Red Tails, based on the efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen. And as hard as it is to believe, this was a common perception of black Americans by white Americans in 20th century America. Because of this, despite the successes of the Tuskegees, whites were still blind to their evident capability, shown when a newspaper story written about the Tuskegees within the movie called their service ”unsatisfactory” and “a failure”. This low expectation of the Tuskegee Airmen is strongly defied after they skillfully and successfully execute Operation Shingle. …show more content…
The Tuskegee Airmen showcased their competence and talent when they managed to go above orders and take down an entire German base, as well as succeed in the assigned task of providing air