Thursday, February 24, 2011

Tuskegee Airmen

 The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of the first selected African American pilots. At his time during World War II the military was segregated by the Jim Crow Laws. Meaning that black pilots weren't treated like the other men in the military. In the year of 1948 President Trueman wrote a proposal to request that all units of the military be integrated.The air force of the military started building airplanes in the 1930s. They made "colored folk" (as they called them back then) fly in what they called the "Yellow Piper Cub." During the war Americans painted there airplane tails red so that the bombers on their side would be able to recognize the American airplanes and not shoot at them. Well you wonder why pupils like the Tuskegee Airmen would want to fight and lay their life on the line for a country that didn't appreciate them because of the color of their skin? This question was answered by Mr. William Broadwater known as Lt. Broadwater today in my history class. He said that " blacks are inferior" and that every since he was 10 years old when he had seen and touched his first airplane was when he decided that he wanted to become a pilot. He was also the first black air traffic control in the military. As already being qualified Mr. Broadwater wasn't going to allow others to reject him because of his natural appearance, even though they did any way, but he kept going until he succeeded (which he did). He is currently the age of 85 and has and still is a mentor for many including "his Buddie" as he calls him, Rick Jones.

  For now I realize how easy it is for us children today than it was in the past. This visit has tout me three lessons which were first always listen to our parents and teachers, for they know what's best is was Rick Jones told us. Then It's better to keep trying and getting rejected than getting rejected with out trying. Which is what I learned from the movie were the Tuskegee Airmen said that " Blacks had to prove them selves". Finally, pay attention, especially in math class because it is sure to come up in any career that you choose. This is also what Mr. Jones told us during class while he was telling us a story about when was offered and took the job of being a air traffic control which is when he realized were all his hard work payed off in school for.

1 comment: