Posts tagged with "inequality"

Overdue Recognition – The Tuskegee Airmen’s Top Gun Victory

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They were the best of the best, but their victory was silenced. In 1949, a group of Black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen soared to victory in the US Air Force’s first aerial gunnery competition, a precursor to the renowned “Top Gun.” Yet, their triumph was deliberately buried due to the pervasive racism of the era. This is their story, a tale of skill, resilience, and the fight for long-overdue recognition.

Need to Know:

  • In 1949, the US Air Force held its first aerial gunnery competition,  precursor to the famed “Top Gun.”
  • The Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black pilots who had overcome racial segregation and discrimination, won the competition.
  • Due to racial bias, their victory was not officially recognized for decades.
  • It wasn’t until 1993 that the truth came out, and only recently has the Air Force fully acknowledged their achievement.

Takeaways:

  • The Tuskegee Airmen’s victory highlights the incredible skill and bravery of these pilots, who faced both enemy fire and racism.
  • Their story underscores the injustice of racial segregation and the importance of recognizing and rectifying historical wrongs.
  • This long-overdue recognition is a step towards honoring the contributions of Black Americans to military and aviation history.

The Truth: Lt. Col. James Harvey, Tuskegee Airman and 1949 First Gunnery Competition winning team member. The Lie: Tom Cruise.

Impact on American Culture and Society:

  • The Tuskegee Airmen’s story is a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans in the face of adversity.
  • Their achievements challenge stereotypes and inspire future generations to pursue their dreams, regardless of obstacles.
  • Recognizing their victory contributes to a more accurate and inclusive understanding of American history and culture.

During the Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland on September 21, 2021, Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, paid tribute to the 332nd Fighter Group. As part of the AARP “Wish of a Lifetime” program, he recognized the accomplishments of Retired Lt. Col. James Harvey, a Tuskegee Airman and member of the 1949 First Gunnery Competition winning team.

The Tuskegee Airmen’s Top Gun victory is a story of skill, perseverance, and justice delayed but not denied. It is a story that deserves to be told and celebrated, not just for its historical significance but also for its enduring message of hope and resilience.

The Legacy of Baconsfield Park: A Stark Reminder of Segregation and Inequality

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Today, January 26, marks the anniversary of a Supreme Court decision that upheld the closure of Baconsfield Park in Macon, Georgia, rather than integrate it. This decision, Evans v. Abney, was a stark reminder of the deep-seated racism and inequality that persisted in America, even after the Civil Rights Movement.

Need to Know

  • Baconsfield Park was created as a whites-only space by the will of Senator Augustus O. Bacon in 1911.
  • Despite legal challenges, the park remained segregated until 1966, when the Supreme Court ruled that it could no longer operate on a racially discriminatory basis.
  • Rather than integrate, the Georgia Supreme Court closed the park, a decision upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1970.

The Supreme Court case Evans v. Newton (1966) addressed the racial segregation of Baconsfield Park in Macon, Georgia. The Court held that the park could not exclude non-white people, as it was held in trust by a public entity. Even after the city attempted to transfer the trust to private trustees, the Court maintained that the park was public in nature and could not discriminate based on race. A subsequent case, Evans v. Abney (1970), arose after the Court’s ruling in Evans v. Newton. The state court determined that Senator Bacon’s intention to create a “whites only” park could not be fulfilled. As a result, the trust failed and the park’s property reverted to the Senator’s heirs.

The Supreme Court of the United States affirmed the Supreme Court of Georgia’s decision that Senator Bacon, if he had known his objective was impossible or illegal, would have preferred that the land revert to his heirs. The Court held that refusing to apply the doctrine of cy pres did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Bacon’s heirs then sold the property to private developers, who converted it to commercial use.

The doctrine of cy pres

Senator Augustus O. Bacon

Takeaways and Impact on American Culture and Society

The closure of Baconsfield Park was a significant setback for the Civil Rights Movement and a stark illustration of the resistance to integration in the South. It demonstrated that even after legal victories, achieving true equality was an uphill battle. The decision also highlighted the limitations of the legal system in addressing deeply entrenched social and cultural norms.

The legacy of Baconsfield Park is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. It is a symbol of the ways in which racism has been embedded in our institutions and laws, and the challenges of dismantling those systems.

Lessons Learned

The story of Baconsfield Park teaches us that legal victories alone are not enough to achieve equality. It is essential to address the underlying social and cultural attitudes that perpetuate discrimination. Additionally, we must be vigilant in protecting the gains that have been made in the Civil Rights Movement, and continue to work towards a truly just and equitable society for all.

What Does A Better America Look Like To You?

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BY JEANETTE LENOIR

America is under construction. A job mostly taken up by our young people determined to fix an evil system constructed for the set back of an entire group; black folk. We are in the eye of the storm of these protests raging across the country. Unfortunately, the despair of the streets is at risk of turning a just cause—racial justice, social and economic equality, ending police brutality—into a fight for the preservation of white supremacy and the protection of all the worldly possessions of the out of touch elites. Even though economic inequality and racism are the main reasons we’re here.

While our “president” can only call out for more violence against the oppressed from his chicken bunker, rather than lead in a time of crisis, America’s young people are fighting for the world they want to see beyond their phone and television screens and social media. This generation is demanding change rather than accept the obligation to swallow the illusions of America so many of us have for so long. There is no magic cure to end racism. America won’t flip like a pancake. But, these protests and the people showing up for them, is the hope we need to see rise like dough left over night. Because we have bread to break people; with each other. We need a solid strategy and effective policies with T-Rex teeth ready to bite anything that comes between Americans desperate for change and a more just and equal country. And unfortunately, we can’t depend on Donald Trump or his entire losing team to set the table to address the real threat of racism, social and economic inequalities, police brutality and blatant discrimination that has created a zest pool for the drunk rich and ignorant poor that benefit from these societal ills. That includes all the rich and powerful people, CNN’s Don Lemon called out, who can afford to look away as if America isn’t burning in their backyard, too.

“White people gained the world but lost something. And that’s their ability to love their children,” James Baldwin said. The fire next time is upon us. Just like he said it would be without addressing racial inequality. Many of the young people burning and looting are the children of these white people who chose to gain the world by oppressing black people over loving their children and teaching them to love the world and their fellow man. The price tag for greed is humanity’s highest cost. Nonetheless, change is upon us. And it’s up to each and every one of us to work to push our country toward a better trajectory. And what does that look like? We asked.

What does a better America look like to you? 

In Part 1, we spoke to Nura from Eritrea. During our interview she was accosted by a lone MAGA supported holding a large American flag in front of the White House. The man yelled, “go back to your country!” You can see the exchange in the video below.

Part 2 of the George Floyd protests in DC shows protesters at the White House. Those we spoke to were asked the same question. What does a better America look like to you?

Part 3 starts when an agitator, the man in a grey t-shirt riding away on his bike, after allegedly telling protesters, “go home little girls.” The video shows him clearly making a get-away after spewing his disdain for the marchers. They gave chase but he was able to get away, but not before passing our camera and saying, mischievously, “I don’t know what they’re angry about.” He knew exactly what they were angry about.

Part 4 are the photos taken at the White House protest.