BARBEAU – HENRI : The unknown soldiers (fülszöveg)
"That shameful record is going to be written up, and published," predicted the black spokesman, Reverend Francis Grimke, "so that the whole world may read it, and learn how these black men, who went out from these shores to die at their country's call, were treated simply because of the color of their skin. . . ."
Arthur E. Barbeau and Florette Henri have painstakingly researched the history of black participation in the Great War. Their findings show that black soldiers were the subject of discriminatory draft, training, assignment, and leadership policies. Black troops were frequently recruited despite illness and other disabilities that would have exempted white men from service. Once recruited, they were segregated and refused adequate medical attention and recreational facilities. Seventy percent were placed in stevedore and labor companies where they were given many duties found undesirable for white troops. Those who were selected for combat were often undertrained, underequipped, and placed under white commanders who in sisted on black inferiority. Denied the opportunities for advancement offered white troops and given inferior food, housing, and clothing, black troops were expected to perform as well as white. They did demonstrate an ability to fight well; nevertheless, erroneous reports of their combat performance determined the use to which black troops would be put in World War II.
The black soldier's attitude toward himself and his country changed during World War I. From the bitterness of his war experiences emerged a new American—one who was prepared to fight for his dignity. Dramatic, painful, and moving, this story will be read by concerned Americans everywhere.
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| KATALÓGUS | TARTALOM |
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