African Americans in the military

• Author:
• Subject: Humanities
• Institution Name: WGBH
• Collection: WGBH Open Vault
• Grade Level:

• Abstract: Carmen Fields interviews Frank Hector (World War II veteran) and Ralph Cooper (Vietnam veteran) about their experiences in the military. Hector talks about the accomplishments of African American soldiers and war veterans. Hector says that the military is a good experience for young African Americans. Cooper talks about the disproportionate numbers of African American soldiers in the front lines and the lack of services for veterans of color. Hector and Cooper talk about their opinions of Colin Powell (Head, US Joint Chiefs of Staff). Field's report is accompanied by footage of Powell and soldiers during the Persian Gulf War. Fields reports that many African Americans join the military to escape the high unemployment rate in the African American community. Field's report is accompanied by footage of Reverend Michael Haynes (Twelfth Baptist Church) leading a church service at the Twelfth Baptist Church. Relatives of soldiers in the Persian Gulf War stand in front of the altar to pray for the soldiers. Fields interviews Haynes. Haynes says that African American soldiers must be granted equal rights and privileges when they return home from the war. Fields' report is accompanied by footage from interviews with people on the street about African American soldiers in the Persian Gulf War. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Students at Boston University attend a prayer service for peace in the Persian Gulf. BU Theology students talk about the Persian Gulf War

• Languages: English
• Material Types: Primary Source
• Media Formats: Video, Text/HTML

• Conditions of Use: Custom License

  Free to view for educational use only. Copyright restrictions apply for all other uses.