Today I inadvertently ran across a documentary entitled "The Negro Soldier." I discovered the documentary is a War Department film made by Frank Capra in 1944 that highlights the role of black soldiers in America's World War II efforts. Below I've included a synopsis and some of my thoughts about it. I know that all of this can be a sensitive subject for many people, so feel free to read what I have to say and give me your input, and please assume the best of me if something I've said is unclear or seems unkind.
Here's the documentary:
Disclaimer: Yes, I realize this isn't a politically correct film all the time. It's from 1944 and entitled "The Negro Soldier", come on. However, I do think it's a good snapshot of a propaganda film of the time, remembering that oftentimes such films were the only sources of news that many Americans would see, and whether PC or not, it's a piece of history. Though some parts are questionable, I believe the overall spirit of the film is to uplift and honor African Americans.
I appreciated this viewpoint of the war. While obviously propagandistic and emphasizing the positive, how often do we get to hear or see anything about African Americans in the 1940s? We have movies today about black soldiers and their families, but this is the first period film I've seen. It not only talked about the men, either! African American women in the military are highlighted a bit as well!
The documentary covers all aspects of a recruit's life, their families' responses, and the history of African American contributions in the U.S. Not to mention, usually only white people are represented in the fashion information we vintage lovers reference. It was wonderful to see all the African American ladies dolled up! (It is narrated from a church service, so everyone is dressed to the 9's!)
The narrator, a minister, also points out that African Americans had much more to lose if the Nazi regime were victorious. Hitler said despicable things about black people, and African Americans faced potentially more cost than whites when captured, or if the Nazis were to win. In the film, defeat of Hitler is also treated as a defeat of racism, a step toward real equality and opportunity for black Americans in their own country. Undoubtedly, the courageous service and sacrifice of black Americans during World War II broke down more barriers, stereotypes, and expectations that had existed before and opened the minds of many, planting more seeds of civil rights and equality that would come to fruition later.
The people of the U.S. have prided ourselves on the idea of "equality for all" since the birth of our nation, though we have not always represented that ideal in our actions. All groups have been guilty; no one people, ethnicity, or gender is fully to blame. We still have a long way to go in defeating racism in our country, but we are closer than we have ever been. Every day, it is becoming more and more the norm to accept people for who they are, not for the color of their skin or culture they come from. That is progress.
Personally, I am so impressed with these black servicemen and women of World War II. Serving in war is hard enough without the sideways looks, comments, institutional barriers, and outright prejudice I'm sure these men and women faced. From their own countrymen. That, to me, shows more dedication to one's country when you choose to honor it and protect it even when it mistreats you, believing that someday in the future your work will make it better. That is character and sacrifice.
And while, yes, this documentary is idealistic in many ways, it seems to me that it is an honor done to black soldiers of World War II. Here is a film in which African Americans are depicted not in the stereotypical roles, but as men and women of honor who stood for freedom with their countrymen when they were needed. They were officers, infantrymen, mothers, WACs.... Americans. We remember and cherish their contributions with pride!
What do you think of the documentary? Do you find it respectful and honoring, or the opposite? Do you think we vintage lovers tend to sugar coat some parts of the past out of nostalgia?
While I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this, please keep your comments respectful and dignified!
