The Civil Rights Of The United States Marine Corps

Before WORLD WAR I, military service represented a source of black pride. Black educators, clergymen, and the press frequently referred to Negro heroes of America’s past wars. After the Civil War, the U.S, Army maintained four regular Negro regiments –the 9th and 10th Calvary and the 24th and 25th Infantry. These units included veterans of the civil war and the frontier Indian fighting regiments. Retired sergeants often became respected, conservative leaders in their communities. This history set a foundation for black support and involvement in America’s future wars.

By using specific language Alfred Green was able to make it a calling for his brethren to join. By using phrases such as it is “our duty” and “My country, right or wrong, I love thee still!” (5-8) he made the men feel inclined to fight. African Americans at the time, although isolated from the rest of the country, they held strong to their patriotic beliefs and would fight with all their hearts for

Phillip Randolph called for an end to employment discrimination against African Americas (Randolph, 1942). Randolph’s main argument was that with so many men off fighting the war, there were many jobs critical to the war effort that were going unfilled due to discrimination against African-Americans (Randolph, 1942). Randolph also argued that while many African Americans didn’t want to see America lose the war, they often questioned what they were fighting for since they are mistreated more from the U.S. government than any government the U.S. is fighting (Randolph, 1942). President Roosevelt heard the arguments from the African American communities and shortly after Randolph’s speech he passed an executive order banning employment discrimination against African Americans in wars related to the war effort. This was one of the first times African Americans had won equality, if only in a specific area. African Americans serving on the homefront in World War II changed the way African Americans were

According to the Virginia Historical Society there was a piece written by P. B. Young, editor of the Norfolk Journal and Guide, a newspaper at the time, wrote a few touching words to Liberals, "Help us get some of the blessings of democracy here at home before you jump on the 'free other peoples' band wagon and tell us to go forth and die in a foreign land." To add to this President Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor, said "The nation cannot expect the colored people to feel that the U.S. is worth defending if they continue to be treated as they are treated now." Despite of the discrimination that young black men faced in the military it was still a better option than being unemployed and living in poverty.

It was a culmination of both the respect all black units earned and the Cold War that lead to The Executive Order 9981. Truman’s Executive Order had six major points the first being “treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.” (Truman). With that African-Americans now had more opportunities within the army and no longer had to be separated from white soldiers. It gave African Americans more reasons to fight for their country as they were now recognized as actual Americans. To ensure his first point was kept in check Truman created “the National Military Establishment an advisory committee to be known as the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services.” (Truman). The people in the committee were chosen by the president himself to ensure they kept African Americans’ rights. Their job was to make sure the army was integrating correctly and smoothly. Truman allowed for them to work right alongside the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Air Force in order to advise their policies. All this was done to help America send a better image of democracy to around the world and help further the development of African Americans in the United States. The directive also helped inspire the civil rights as non army African Americans wanted equal treatment outside of the Army. The directive was living proof that if they fought for their rights they could get it. Unfortunately even with the president granting equality in the army some white officials tried their hardest to prove to black soldiers that the white man was still on

Despite having dealt with unwritten laws known as the, “Jim Crow” laws, many African American Soldiers still decided, without being drafted, to enlist in the military, only to be met with more segregation, separation and deference. Many of them worked in supporting roles in the service. One such supporting role was called the Service Force. George was one of those soldiers serving in the Service Force. George believes the Service Force was just as important as any other role in the military. He states, “I can work with a certain satisfaction that my work behind the ‘lines’ is the only direct support that the men ‘Up Front’ have.” I believe George had the hoped that when returning from the War, African Americans would have earned equality and respect from their fellow countrymen. In writing a letter to his sister, George states, “we hope that the American people won’t forget that if we can work and fight for the Democratic Way, that we are entitled to enjoy every privilege it affords when this mess is

The horrific terrorist attack on the United States that took place on September 11, 2001 significantly changed the definition of freedom in America. This event resulted in an immediate call to action by the US government to protect and defend its citizens and country. The Department of Homeland Security was created to “coordinate efforts to improve security at home, and it imposed sever limits on the civil liberties of those suspected of a connection with terrorism and, more generally, on immigrants from the Middle East.” The country was left feeling vulnerable and suspicious of things they previously took for granted. Heightened security measures around travel were put in place. Americans were asked to report suspicious activity. Muslim people were and still are subject to prejudice because of their religion being linked to the terrorist group.

There are many different cultures or social groups that have a language barrier whether that is because of religion, race, or social differences. These language barriers eventually will have to be overcome so that we can all communicate with each other. Out of these social groups, comes the greatest fighting force in the World, The Marine Corps. Marines have a very unique language dialog that has been preserved for hundreds of years Unfortunately, there comes a point in time when a Marine must transition out of the Marine Corps into the “Civilian World” (as we call it). Transitioning is a very exciting time for Marines but it also is very difficult time due to the strong language community that we belong to.

In a nation with a rich history of racism and inequality projected towards minority groups, many minorities were opposed to serving in any capacity during the Civil War. There were a few, however, that maintained an openness to the idea of aiding the Northern Union’s cause. Their willingness to fight for a shared dream, though, was not enough to put them on the frontlines. In fact, many willing African Americans were not permitted to join the ranks solely due to the color of their skin. This in and of itself was a discouraging reality for many African Americans of the time. The common question rang out: If they could not be accepted even as a soldier, how could they possibly be accepted as anything more later on? Advocate Alfred M. Green, however, had a different outlook. In short, Green decided that it was too soon to be giving up on the future. In his speech delivered to African Americans in Philadelphia, he hopes to inspire many to maintain their passion and join the Union forces. Primarily through emotional and logical appeal, Green constructs a persuasive case enticing many African Americans to continue fighting for the opportunity to join the Union army.

During WWII many civil liberties were affected and felt by the American people; some of these decisions include new policies on foreigners and civil defense groups in towns. A major facet of homefront life in WWII was the discrimination faced by Japanese/German/Italian Americans, especially the Japanese, After the attack on Pearl Harbor which drew the United States into the war, Americans developed a fear towards immigrants and foreigners; not unlike the fear felt during the 1920’s after WWI. Local, state, and federal governments began drafting new laws and policies against persons whose ancestry is that of any of the Axis powers (Italy-Germany-Japan). For instance, a new law stated that all residents (“enemy aliens”) of German, Japanese, or Italian descent were required to register with the government, submit to fingerprinting, and list all their organizational affiliations. In addition, many of these peoples were forced to submit to curfews and travel restrictions. Furthermore, during this time, Japanese persons could not join the military until 1943 due to racism and fears of the American people. In February of 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which designated certain areas as war zones, and allowed for the removal of anyone for any reason. This led to the internment of Japanese people. Japanese-Americans were forced to either store or sell nearly all their property and belongings, only permitted to take “necessities”,

For centuries African American have been struggled against racial in America. During World War II the U.S. government asked for volunteers to join the army of defense, over 2.5 million of black men registered for the draft World, around 1 million served as draftees or volunteers in the armed forces within all branches. But didn’t received the same opportunity to serve in the same manner as white soldiers. They were to segregated combat support groups. In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt and civil rights organizations pressured U.S Navy to recruited blacks for service.

One of Truman’s greatest accomplishments is when he desegregated the Armed Services. Throughout history, African Americans have fought side by side with Honor, Courage, and Commitment, but were never recognized for the role that

Propelled by the civil rights movement of the 1960s and to counteract a national policy of segregation and inequality, the Department of Defense (DoD) mandated race relations training in 1971. The violent and nonviolent disorders of the late 1960s were the catalyst that convinced military leaders that race relations education must be provided to every member of the Armed Forces.

Though this movement existed throughout the 19th century, it spread quickly until it reached its peak between the 1950's and 1960's. It was aimed at getting black Americans (Africans) the rights and privileges of equality and citizenship without racism. This was done through large campaigns of nonviolent demonstrations, negotiations, civil disobedience and all legal means. The movement was focused in the south, where there was considerable disparity in education, health care, economics, and so forth.

In 1967, 64 percent of all eligible African-Americans were drafted versus only 31 percent of eligible whites (Black 2009). This fact testifies to only a small portion of why nearly all African-Americans found themselves protesting against the Vietnam War. The lack of civil rights in the U.S deterred many blacks from supporting Vietnam, a conflict aimed at liberating the rights of another people. African Americans were frustrated with a country who fought for other citizens and saw no purpose in fighting for a peoples’ freedom but their own. Although African-Americans were specifically discriminated against both in Vietnam and America, they were not alone in their anti-war position. The majority of the American public opposed the Vietnam War. As the war dragged on, people found no reason to fight in Vietnam and believed that the United States should prioritize their own citizens first. Many public figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and Muhammad Ali, held similar claims. Their opinions aligned with the public’s concern and suggested that the U.S withdraw troops and focus resources on the civil rights issues at home. These public figures fought for a specific minority, but, in light of the entire American population, the majority of people opposed the war.