Blackout
Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black
--Man in Black, Johnny Cash
_________
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black
--Man in Black, Johnny Cash
_________
A thought:
In today's military, which has a sizable ethnic representation, why have the last five Medals of Honor been awarded to white men? Of all of the Silver Stars and Distinguished Service Crosses/Navy Crosses that Ranger has seen publicized, all were awarded to white servicemen.
Further, when was the last time you saw a black Brigade Commander or black General Officer?
Have you seen photos of any black Blackwater operatives? Could they be discriminatory in their hiring practices? Then again, that is seriously doubtful, as they are there to protect American values.
In today's military, which has a sizable ethnic representation, why have the last five Medals of Honor been awarded to white men? Of all of the Silver Stars and Distinguished Service Crosses/Navy Crosses that Ranger has seen publicized, all were awarded to white servicemen.
Further, when was the last time you saw a black Brigade Commander or black General Officer?
Have you seen photos of any black Blackwater operatives? Could they be discriminatory in their hiring practices? Then again, that is seriously doubtful, as they are there to protect American values.
Labels: black absence in army awards
posted by rangeragainstwar at 10:29 AM
8 Comments:
Not sure but the Black community didn't buy in to this war and Whitey doesn't want any one around them they aren't comfortable with. Just look at the WH on down, it's nothing but good old white guys. As an old white guy myself this always scares me.
jo6pac
Hey Ranger, Lisa and Jo6
Seems like this has been going on for awhile. I remember a 60 Minutes piece about a Black man, Vernon Baker, getting the MOH for his service in Italy during WW2. Fighting the enemy and his own side in that his own side was not helpful providing the support he needed and etc.
Anyway, the Medal of Honor was presented by President Clinton in a ceremony on January 13th, 1997 to Vernon Baker. Vernon Baker was the only recipient still living and present to receive his award; the other six soldiers received their awards posthumously.
Other than the 60 Minutes piece - I am not familiar enough with the subject to know if any African Americans recieved the MOH for their servive in Vietnam. Judging from your post, seems like that answer is "nein."
This has bug me so heres a google, I have to get dinner ready, so if some else would like to check out.
http://www.att.net/s/s.dll?num=10&spage=search%2Fresultshome1.htm&channel=english&searchType=web&string=black+medal+of+honor+winners&where=&sm.x=22&sm.y=12
I put in Black Medal of Honor Winner
jo6pac
Hi KW,
There were in fact several black MOH recipients from the Vietnam conflict.
But you are correct -- none were awarded as a result of action in WWII. Under Bill Clinton, there was a move to upgrade some awards, and several posthumous MOHs were then awarded.
Although there's much to find fault with in the Army's efforts in Iraq and Aghanistan, I'm not sure racism in the awards process is another log on the fire. The Army has been quite sparing in the award of valor medals, maybe because of the nature of the combat, maybe because it's the policy. I think it's the nature of the conflict: house-to-house, arresting families does not a Silver Star make.
So, given the overall paucity of valor awards, resulting in a very small sampling, it's premature to talk racism, IMO. Could just be chance. And there are a lot of black generals and colonels in the Army.
Several blacks got MOHs in Vietnam. As to whether the numbers were representative of black percentages in combat units (where the MOH will be found) could be easily subjected to a statistical analysis. We need to recall, however, that blacks were a significant minority in Vietnam (just as they are in the nation). Frankly, if there had been any hint of racism in the awards process, I'm confident we would have heard of it (recall the times). I don't recall ever hearing of it.
It's not at all surprising that few blacks received MOHs in WW2, and then, retroactively (the fact of which may represent racism). The truth is that blacks were not allowed into combat MOSs. Policy dictated that they be assigned to support work, often well behind the lines. Such support personnel rarely receive high valor awards.
KW,
Jim adds that the first black officers to actually receive the MOH were given to VN soldiers. One Capt.; one LT. Col.
publius,
I understand and accept all of your points.
I'm not charging racism, just making an observation. I read all the service publications and open source material, and I have yet to see a black soldier, Marine or airman getting a valor award in Iraq or Afghanistan.
I believe the percentage of blacks in the military exceeds their representation in the population at large (11%). I don't have actual statistics, but in harsher socioeconomic times, the unemployed -- which has an overepresentation of minorities -- are drawn to the military.
Another topic, I realize:
With 4,000 deaths and 30,000 wounded, I believe there should be more valor awards. It's always been my belief that this administration does not want live valor recipients criticizing their war.
Hence, three dead MOH winners. The institution needs live MOH winners, regardless of race.
the awarding of MOH, Silver Stars and such has always had a heavy political influence.
it's gotten even more ridiculous in afghan/iraq stuff. the medals have come to have about as much meaning as bush's flight suit. window dressing.
most of the folks who have the higher awards that i know tend to be somewhat conflicted about the whole thing. in my case when i examine some of mine, i think about being surrounded by some incredible acts of selfless courage that were the rule of the day, not the exception. yet, my name was submitted. when nixon pinned my silver star on in the PI i told him "everybody there deserved even more than this mr. president." he looked at me kind of squinty and said "good boy." and moved on.
a while back i was at the dedication ceremony that renamed squaw peak in phoenix after lori piestewa. jessica lynch was there. as i went through the smile and shake line she noticed that i was wearing the lapel pin from the silver star. she said "they gave me one of those. i didn't deserve it."
i smiled, leaned in and whispered "neither did i."
because awards like that have to go through the command structure, which is predominantly white, male, christian and conservative there is no reason to expect that they will be anything but fueled by the current politics of the moment.
the highest roman military award was the "grass crown." when a general or another officer performed an action that saved an entire unit a centurian would gather grasses from the field of battle and weave them into a crown. from then on, whenever that man appeared in public or the senate he was given a standing ovation.
don't forget all the MOH's that were handed out after wounded knee. it can be something that speaks of bravery and honor. it can also be something that speaks of shame and regret.
context is everything.
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