Posts tagged with "AmericanCulture"

A Veteran’s Betrayal: The Quiet Erasing of Black Heroes from American History

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On this Veterans Day, we must confront a deliberate and disgusting act of historical white-washing that dishonors the very people who fought to preserve freedom. Black people fighting against Nazis should be seen as heroes. However, those in power are desperate to hide this history.

On a day meant for solemn remembrance and honor, a deeply disturbing truth mars the sanctity of Veterans Day 2025: a calculated effort is underway to systematically erase the documented history of Black and female military service from official U.S. records and memorials. This is not a mistake or an oversight—it is an act of pure ideological racism, deliberately targeting the legacies of those who put their lives on the line for a country that has historically refused to fully recognize their citizenship.

The quiet removal of plaques and the scrubbing of websites are not just bureaucratic adjustments; they are a profound betrayal of the very principles for which these heroes fought. For ePluribusAmerica, this is an issue that demands our immediate outrage and action.

The Facts of Erasure

The following actions, undertaken by officials under the current administration, represent a direct attack on historical integrity:

  • The Limburg Memorial Removal: Two panels commemorating Black American soldiers’ contributions to the liberation of the Netherlands in World War II were quietly removed from the U.S. military cemetery in Limburg. This action followed a complaint by the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
  • The Arlington Purge: Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) has stripped information and educational materials about Black and female service members from its website. This removed content included links to the “Notable Graves” of dozens of Black, Hispanic, and female veterans, including:
    • Gen Colin L. Powell, the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
    • The storied life stories of the Tuskegee Airmen, the country’s first Black military airmen.
    • War hero Hector Santa Anna, a World War II bomber pilot.
  • The Political Mandate: This content removal is directly tied to President Donald Trump’s effort to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices throughout the federal government and military. An ANC spokesperson admitted they are working to restore links but must ensure content aligns with Trump’s orders and instructions from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth—who has publicly pledged to “root out all diversity initiatives.”
  • The International Condemnation: In a heartening but damning sign, parliament members in the Dutch province of Limburg have called the removal of the WWII panels “indecent” and “unacceptable,” and are looking into creating a new, temporary memorial outside the cemetery grounds.

Black Veterans, WWII.

The Core Message

  1. This Is Historical White-Washing: The removal is not accidental. It is a targeted, institutional effort to diminish and erase the contributions of non-white service members, suggesting that their service is not “notable” or worthy of standalone recognition.
  2. DEI as a Pretext for Erasure: The attack on “DEI” is being cynically used as a political shield to justify stripping away the history of minority service members. When the elimination of “woke” culture results in deleting the history of Medal of Honor recipients and WWII liberators, the agenda is clear: silence and invisibility.
  3. The Fight is Now: With nearly 50% of the active-duty military identifying as a minority or woman, the attempt to sideline their history is a profound act of disrespect to all those currently serving. The fact that the Defense Department previously had to reinstate Tuskegee Airmen materials shows that public outcry can, and must, force a reversal.

African American soldiers in the Netherlands.

Implications for American Culture

The campaign to erase Black military history is a chilling indicator of a country “still deeply intolerant,” even in 2025. The implications stretch far beyond the military cemeteries:

  • A Betrayal of Service: The soldiers being scrubbed from the internet and cemeteries are the same individuals who fought against the Nazi ideology of racial supremacy. By minimizing their stories, the U.S. government is effectively giving a historical seal of approval to the idea that their sacrifice matters less. It’s a complete inversion of the values they fought for.
  • The Weaponization of History: When history is not preserved, it is rewritten. This sets a dangerous precedent where future administrations can decide which groups’ contributions are “appropriate” to remember, leading to a sanitized, false narrative of American exceptionalism that excludes those who suffered the most under its domestic systems.
  • A Call for Vigilance and Recommitment: This Veterans Day, we must honor Black soldiers not just by saying thank you, but by actively defending their legacy. The battle to preserve these plaques and website pages is part of the larger, continuous struggle for Civil Rights and Social Justice—a fight to ensure that the promise of E pluribus unum (“Out of many, one”) is truly reflected in our national narrative.

Marines, 1958, Camp Lejeune.

Restore and Remember

We must demand immediate action. The Arlington National Cemetery spokesperson mentioned they are working to restore links—we must hold them to it and ensure the content is reinstated without any ideological gatekeeping.

This Veterans Day, ePluribusAmerica is calling on our readers, activists, and freedom fighters everywhere to:

  • Contact the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and your representatives to demand the immediate return of the Limburg panels.
  • Monitor the Arlington National Cemetery website to ensure all erased content on Black and female veterans is fully restored.
  • Share the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Black liberators of Europe.

We cannot let their sacrifice be forgotten. Not now. Not ever.

Dorothy Porter Wesley: A Visionary Who Shaped Black History and American Culture

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On October 24, 1994, President Bill Clinton honored Dorothy Porter Wesley with the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Charles Frankel Award, recognizing her monumental contributions as a Black librarian, bibliographer, researcher, and curator. A true pioneer, Wesley’s work at Howard University’s Library of Negro Life and History (now the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center) transformed a modest collection into a world-class research hub, profoundly impacting Black studies and the broader American intellectual landscape.

Need to Know: The Unsung Architect of Black Scholarship

Dorothy Porter Wesley, born May 25, 1905, in Warrenton, Virginia, was the first Black woman to earn a library science degree from Columbia University. Joining Howard University in 1928, she faced significant challenges, including limited budget and staff. Yet, her unwavering dedication and innovative spirit led her to build a collection of over 180,000 books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials. She famously “begged” for donations from publishers, authors, and families, ensuring the preservation of invaluable Black historical and cultural artifacts.

One of her most significant achievements was developing a new classification system for the collection. Recognizing the limitations of the Dewey Decimal System, which offered only two categories for African Americans (slavery and colonization), Porter Wesley created a system that organized books by genre and author, offering a more nuanced and respectful approach to Black literature and scholarship.

Take-Aways: Lessons from a Life Dedicated to Preservation and Access

  • Visionary Leadership: Porter Wesley’s foresight in recognizing the critical need for a dedicated Black research center laid the groundwork for the formal discipline of Black Studies.
  • Overcoming Adversity: Despite systemic sexism and racial barriers, she built an unparalleled resource through sheer determination, resourcefulness, and a global network of contacts.
  • Innovation in Information Science: Her creation of a new classification system demonstrated a profound understanding of the unique needs of Black scholarship and challenged existing discriminatory practices in library science.
  • The Power of Archiving: Her work underscores the vital role of archives in preserving marginalized narratives and providing the foundational evidence for new historical understandings.

Dorothy Porter Wesley’s legacy resonates deeply across several facets of American society:

  • American Culture: By making Black history and culture accessible, she enriched the national narrative, ensuring that the contributions and experiences of African Americans are recognized as integral to the American story. Her work challenged the prevailing historical omissions and biases, fostering a more inclusive understanding of American identity.
  • Black History: Wesley’s tireless efforts directly fueled the emergence and growth of Black Studies as a robust academic discipline. The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center became an indispensable resource for scholars worldwide, providing the primary documentation necessary to research, write, and teach Black history with depth and accuracy. Historian Benjamin Quarles noted, “Without exaggeration, there hasn’t been a major black history book in the last 30 years in which the author hasn’t acknowledged Mrs. Porter’s help.”
  • Black Women’s Role in American Society: As a Black woman leading a major academic institution during a time of significant racial and gender discrimination, Porter Wesley served as a powerful role model. Her achievements demonstrated the intellectual prowess, leadership, and resilience of Black women in shaping academic fields and cultural institutions. She broke barriers and created opportunities for future generations of Black women in academia and beyond.
  • Arts and Humanities in the Shaping of the Nation: Porter Wesley’s work is a testament to the transformative power of the arts and humanities. By preserving literature, manuscripts, and other cultural artifacts, she ensured that the artistic and intellectual expressions of Black people were not lost but instead became a source of knowledge, inspiration, and resistance. Her center became a radical site for the creation of new narratives, allowing the legacy of Black people to become public and part of the public imagination, influencing everything from historical research to documentary filmmaking, as exemplified by figures like Raoul Peck.

Dorothy Porter Wesley was more than a librarian; she was a cultural architect, a guardian of history, and a champion of intellectual liberation. Her enduring work continues to empower scholars, inspire new generations, and ensure that the rich tapestry of Black experience remains a vibrant and accessible part of our shared human story.

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The Berry Brothers: Acrobatic Tap, Enduring Legacy, and the Shaping of American Culture

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Tap dance, a vibrant and uniquely American art form, owes much of its evolution and dynamism to the ingenuity and resilience of Black artists. Yet, this rich history is often overshadowed, with figures like Fred Astaire frequently credited for its advancement, despite his inability to match the powerful styles of Black dancers.

Among the true pioneers who shaped tap dancing and left an indelible mark on American history and culture were the Berry Brothers: Nyas, James, and Warren.

Need to Know: Who Were the Berry Brothers?

The Berry Brothers were an influential African-American “flash” tap dance trio, active for over three decades, from the late 1920s to the early 1950s. They were renowned for their high-energy, acrobatic style, seamlessly blending rhythmic precision with daring, athletic moves like synchronized cane twirling, mid-air splits, and spectacular somersaults. Born in New Orleans (Nyas and James) and Denver (Warren), they honed their craft on the grueling “Chitlin’ Circuit” before breaking into mainstream venues.

A Legacy in Tap Dancing History

The Berry Brothers’ contribution to tap dance was revolutionary. They were pioneers of the “flash act,” pushing the boundaries of the art form with their innovative combination of traditional soft-shoe and acrobatic routines. Their masterful precision, clarity, concentration, and astounding musicality were on full display in every performance.

One of their most legendary moments was the 1938 dance-off at the Cotton Club with their principal rivals, the equally acrobatic Nicholas Brothers. While some considered the Nicholas Brothers better all-around performers, many acknowledged the Berry Brothers’ unparalleled athleticism and daring moves, with some accounts suggesting they “won the day” with their synchronized flying and tumbling split-legged catapult over the band. Their work left a lasting legacy, influencing generations of dancers and solidifying their place as trailblazers of rhythm and style.

Shaping American History and Culture: The Harlem Renaissance

The Berry Brothers rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance, a period of immense cultural expression and a “spiritual coming of age” for African Americans. They were fixtures of the New York jazz scene, performing for five years at the famous Cotton Club with jazz greats like Duke Ellington. Their performances, alongside those of other Black artists, were central to defining culture and “cool” for both Black and white audiences in America and around the world.

Their career highlights include performing at the Cotton Club, becoming one of the first Black acts at the Copacabana in 1929, and appearing in films like Lady Be Good (1941) and Panama Hattie (1942). Through their art, they contributed to a new African American identity, transforming “social disillusionment to race pride” and challenging reductive, racist stereotypes.

Comparing Contributions and Their Place in History

While both the Berry Brothers and the Nicholas Brothers were phenomenal “flash” tap dancers, the Berry Brothers were particularly celebrated for their sheer athleticism and daring acrobatics. They were the only successful tap dance group to truly rival the Nicholas Brothers in talent, flash, and success. Their unique blend of older Black vernacular dance traditions like the soft shoe and Cakewalk with acrobatics created a uniquely flashy performance style. Their place in history is secured as innovators who pushed the physical and artistic boundaries of tap dance, contributing significantly to its evolution.

Berry Me Not with The Berry Brothers | Panama Hattie | Warner Archive

How Racism Impacted Their Legacy and Art

Despite their undeniable talent and acclaim, the Berry Brothers’ careers were significantly hampered by the systemic racism of the 20th century. This was evident in several ways:

  • The “Chitlin’ Circuit”: They honed their craft on the T.O.B.A. circuit, a segregated network of vaudeville theaters that booked exclusively Black talent, often with low pay.
  • The Cotton Club Paradox: While headliners at the Cotton Club, they performed for exclusively white audiences. The club’s “plantation” decor, colorist policies (requiring lighter-skinned female performers), and discriminatory practices exploited Black creativity for white consumption.
  • Breaking Barriers with Hypocrisy: Their groundbreaking performances at venues like the Copacabana were undercut by the clubs’ segregationist policies, where Black performers entertained white patrons but were denied entry as customers.
  • Segregation in Hollywood: Their Hollywood appearances were often limited to specialty dance numbers that could be easily edited out for Southern audiences, and they were denied leading roles, a common experience for Black performers of the era.

This systemic racism prevented them from achieving even greater recognition and financial success, ultimately impacting the full scope of their legacy.

Historical Takeaways

The story of the Berry Brothers offers several crucial historical takeaways:

  • Resilience and Innovation: Black artists, despite facing immense discrimination, consistently innovated and elevated art forms, turning percussive dance born from African roots into high-art spectacles.
  • The Power of Art in Social Change: Their performances, and the broader Harlem Renaissance, demonstrated how art could be a vehicle for expressing a new Black identity, challenging stereotypes, and fostering race pride, laying a foundation for future civil rights movements.
  • The Dual Nature of Progress: While breaking color barriers in some prestigious venues, the underlying racism and segregationist practices of the era continued to exploit and limit Black talent.
  • The Importance of Remembering: It is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Black pioneers like the Berry Brothers to ensure their rightful place in American cultural memory, and to understand the complex interplay of art, race, and societal structures.

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