10 O'Clock News | [African Americans in the military]

Carmen Fields reports on African American soldiers in the Persian Gulf War

[African Americans in the military]
Original Airdate: 1/21/1991

Length: 00:06:42
Item Type: newstape - edited story master

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Full Description

1:00:08
Visual: Footage of an African American man being interviewed near Downtown Crossing. The man says that African American soldiers make up the majority of the ground troops in the Persian Gulf war. The man says that the soldiers knew the risks when they enlisted in the US Army.
Footage of another African American man being interviewed. The man complains of a double standard. The man says that it is unfair for African American men to fight on the front lines when they are not treated with respect at home.
Footage of an African American woman being interviewed. The woman says that she does not think of it as a racial issue. The woman says that the men chose to be soldiers; that they have to fight.
Footage of a woman being interviewed. The woman says that she does not agree with the war; that people are losing their lives over oil.

Fields reports that veterans have different views of their experiences in the military.

V: Shots of Ralph Cooper (Vietnam veteran) being interviewed by Fields; of Cooper. Shots of Frank Hector (World War II veteran) being interviewed by Fields at his kitchen table.

Fields reports that Hector enlisted in the US Air Force in the early 1940s.

V: Shot of Fields. Footage of Hector saying that he rarely talks about the war when he goes to schools to talk to schoolchildren. Hector says that he talks about the post-war accomplishments of African American WWII veterans. Hector talks about an Air Force colleague who went on to become the first African American vice-president of a US aerospace company.
Footage of Cooper being interviewed by Fields. Cooper says that African American soldiers made up 44% of the front lines in Vietnam; that African Americans made up 11% of the military; that African Americans were approximately 11% of the total population.

Fields reports that Cooper enlisted in the Air Force in 1960.

V: Footage of Cooper saying that soldiers of color suffered more cases of post-traumatic stress syndrome than white soldiers. Cooper says that no government money was directed toward urban population centers where most people of color live.
Shots of African-American churchgoers at a church service at the Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury; of a woman leading a gospel choir from the pulpit.

Fields reports that African Americans make up approximately 12% of the US population. Fields reports that the unemployment rate in the African American population is usually double the rate of the general population. Fields notes that the military is an attractive option to many unemployed African Americans.

V: Shots of an African American woman praying; of two African American women consoling one another; of the clasped hands of an African-American couple. Shot of the Reverend Michael Haynes (Twelfth Baptist Church) speaking from the pulpit.

Fields reports that Haynes invited relatives of soldiers to come forward at a church service yesterday at the Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury; that approximately thirty people crowded the altar.

V: Footage of Haynes leading a prayer. A group of churchgoers stands in front of the altar.

Fields reports that Haynes is afraid of military history repeating itself.

V: Footage of Haynes being interviewed. Haynes says that African American soldiers in the Persian Gulf War need to return to a country in which they have equal rights and privileges. Haynes says that there have been reverses in affirmative action and civil rights. Haynes says that the African American men and women in the military will not accept second-class status if and when they come home.

Fields reports that his military experience is still a big part of Hector's life; that he attends reunions of the Tuskegee Airmen. Fields notes that Hector points out that eight of the African American military generals were affiliated with the Tuskegee Airmen. Fields adds that Hector is a supporter of Colin Powell (Head, US Joint Chiefs of Staff).

V: Shots of Hector being interviewed by Fields. Hector's military memorabilia lay on the table. Shots of a photo from a reunion of the Tuskegee Airmen; of a newsletter with a black and white photo of Powell. Footage of Hector saying that Powell is the number one soldier in the military. Powell says that industry should have followed the example of the military in matters of desegregation. Powell says that young people who enter the military are headed in the right direction; that he does not want anyone to get killed. Powell says that the military is a "good deal" for young people, the country, and their communities.

Fields reports that Cooper directs a veterans' service organization; that his organization is starting a support group for returning veterans from the Persian Gulf War. Fields notes that Cooper views Powell's accomplishments differently from Hector.

V: Footage of Powell addressing a group of soldiers during the Persian Gulf War. Powell and the soldiers are dressed in army fatigues. Shots of soldiers in fatigues as they load a missile into a weapon; of soldiers firing a weapon; of soldiers supporting an injured colleague.
Footage of Cooper being interviewed. Cooper says that slaves fought on both sides during the Civil War. Cooper says that African Americans always fight with the hope of being treated with equality and respect. Cooper says that Powell has risen from his beginnings in the Bronx; that Powell is also seeking equality and respect. Cooper says that the shackles are still on the legs of African Americans.

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