WW2: Should Blacks and Native Americans have fought?

Question

After watching Ken Burns:"The War", I asked myself should Blacks and Native Americans have fought? When most of them came back they were treated like crap and NOT given the same benefits as their white comrades. Hell! They weren't even aloud to fight along side of them.

The same was done to Blacks during the Revolutionary War.

Why fight hate and oppression overseas when you were getting it here?

Thanks your your comments ahead of time.

This goes for Latino Americans too.

Answer 1

let me point something out:

In LA, many hispanic chose not to fight in the war. This anger boiled over into the famous "Zoot Suit" riots, when US servicemen attacked people of hispanic descent.

Fight, don;t fight, you'll still be treated with scorn and contempt

Answer 2

Well, I'm sure personal experiences, if you hear any, would be more valuable, so I can just tell you of my observations and reading. As I understand it, with few exceptions, Blacks in the military in WWII were segregated. They only were around whites in service positions like cooks and orderlies, etc. Many were denied an opportunity to fight and instead were drivers and transport people in combat areas, although I'm sure some did fight. I have always been told that their officers were white, for the most part. However, one did achieve glory, even at the time. I remember hearing the story of an orderly on one of the battleships at Pearl Harbor who manned a machine gun and returned fire while under attack. I think he even received the Medal of Honor. Then there's always the Tuskeegee Airmen, who served with distinction. However, military segregation was not ended until after WWII by President Truman. When you mention Native Americans you should also think of Mexican Americans who I am sure suffered the same prejudice, although they were placed in units with whites; I am sure some had unpleasant experiences. You should read about the Navaho Code Talkers who greatly aided the US cause in all theaters of combat. You totally ignored another group who had to do twice as much to prove they were just as good, the Nisei, who were not only discriminated against by their country, but who also faced the disapproval of family and friends for joining the war effort, in view of the shabby way the same family and friends were treated by the government.

Answer 3

African Americans and Native Americans fought during the war because they wanted to, it was their country at war as well, and who wouldn't have wanted to try to shoot Hitler?

Hey, I may not like my country sometimes, and some people may treat me bad, but I am still going to fight for my country.

The reason bad things happen is because there are bad people, and good people who do nothing. Just because your life isn't great doesn't mean you can't help other people or ignore the bad.

Their contribution paved the way for future race relations. Governments felt they had done a good job for America and this resulted in citizenship and the right to vote. Plus these men who fought gained the respect of the men who may not have treated them well before. Not all people would have treated them badly when they returned, and some who would have before the war, didn't after.

Vietnam war vets were also treated like crap when they came back as well.

Answer 4

Or should third generation Japanese Americans have fought when their parents were interned in concentraion camps in the US?
True, they were ill treated, and were not given the benefits they should have received, but they took the stance that they were Americans and it was the duty of Americans to fight when called upon. And their strategy worked. Their conditions have improved - it's been a slow process and still isn't complete, but it is getting better - and had they not taken the stance they did, it is unlikely that this would have happened.
One can only admire them for having the strength of their convictions and standing by what they believed to be right, even though they were not treated with the respect they should have had.

Answer 5

Now ask yourself

WW3: Should Immigrant and Illegal Immigrants fight?

They did last time and sadly to some benefit :/

How about,..

Iraq War: Should we keep allowing people to join the Army,.. etc?

Because people are coming home to people hateing them. Families are being attacked for "Letting their children be sent off and killed".

Part of it is misguided Anger and Hate. Some of it was not their Ethnicity but there were people gainst the war then. It's just when people picked on those people it stuck and other soldiers brushed it off and blocked it out.

Answer 6

The impression that I have from watching many similar movies is that these people wanted to fight for their country. Also, it gave them a chance to "fight" for their rights, since they were able to prove that they were good soldiers. I completely agree with you that the differential treatment they got was unfair.

Answer 7

They live here too. Google Ira Hayes and tell me again that they didn't fight along side whites. He even received the Medal of Honor.

Answer 8

African Americans and native Americans did fight
Learn history before you post and make yourself look stupid

Answer 9

I think any american citizens should have fought for our country and allies in WW2 but blacks and native americans were never treated like citizens back then, but rather property, savages or an annoyance. i think they should have fought, and come back to a greatful country with arms wide open to welcome them home formt he ordeals. but that would never happen.

Answer 10

of course....just because some white American don't see blacks, Native Americans, Asians, and Latinos as Americans....just because of the color of there skin ...they still are Americans and have the same pride as white Americans...