African Americans in aviation history profiled during February

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African Americans in aviation history profiled during February

Posted 1/30/2012

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1/30/2012 - FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- After more than a decade into the 21st century, our Air Force today is made up of a mix of ethnic backgrounds -- people who work together for common goals and missions. But throughout our history, even throughout much of the 20th century, that hasn't always been the case.

The beginning of February kicks off African American History Month, and to honor that heritage, we will profile a different man or woman each day; a different person in aviation or Air Force history who helped pave the way for the Air Force we have today.

We'll begin the series with Bessie Coleman, a young woman at the beginning of the 20th Century who was forced to leave her country to fulfill her aviation dreams. We'll then showcase men like Eugene Bullard and William Powell who struggled against extreme prejudice and segregation to also fulfill their dreams.

Then there are the Tuskegee Airmen, men like Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Lee Archer and C.D. "Lucky" Lester, who proved through their valor and bravery in the skies that African Americans were just as important in the fight as their White counterparts.

We'll profile some of the important transition men and women who were early pioneers in the Air Force, as well as others who are still making their mark today. There's even a TV and movie personality who transcended her role as a fictional pioneer in space to make great strides in recruiting African Americans into the NASA space program.

A total of 29 profiles in 29 days: Some may surprise you, others may be familiar favorites, some you may even know personally, but all were and are important role models and trailblazers not only for their race, but for aviation and the U.S. Air Force as well.

Comments

2/8/2012 9:57:55 AM ET
Let's stop boo hoo'ing. For you guys asking for a white month look at the months again. There is a black spanish history month. So I guess that leaves us 10 months of white history. People are just so stupid now days and racism is still a huge part of the US. Please quit complaining and join in the accomplishments of our American brothers and sisters this month. Geez can't we all just get along.

SSgt , USAF

2/6/2012 10:11:41 AM ET
I guess I'm a European-American even though I've lived in the USA my entire life and my family has been in America for over 100 years. I have one question. When do I get my status as a minority I want my extra civil rights

Guy Whoiswhite, America

2/5/2012 11:39:47 PM ET
Caucasian is a genotype which includes people of various ethnic groups originally from the far north to the far south of Europe and the Middle East as well as ethnic groups South America as well. People of fair skin in Nordic countries to dark brown in India and Northern Africa. Caucasoid people are not all the generic term white. And even the fair-skinned people are from different cultures. Having a month to celebrate every ethnicity that falls into the Caucasian genotype would be impossible. The world has always had a blend of ethnicities and genotypes from ancient times to the days of the Roman Empire to the Silk Road. And we have a bi-Racial that's right a bi-racial not Black president. His mother was Caucasian his father African. He is a blend of both - not one or the other. Perhaps having months to celebrate the accomplishments of civilization by categories such as science inventions aviation etc. which will then highlight the individual accomplishments of people o

Gaijin, Japan

2/3/2012 12:08:17 PM ET
@Jason. Let me explain something to you. I do not want a white history monthor the other 11 months of the year as well. In fact I don't want any months set aside for any race. How about we have an American History month or year instead

Dave, Peterson

2/3/2012 10:37:21 AM ET
Don't forget Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender History Month is October with National Coming Out Day being celebrated on October 11th of each year.

Jessie, Cleveland

2/3/2012 9:47:48 AM ET
I hear everyone saying that we are not facilitating equality with the celebration of African American History month. The problem is that the history of the African American or any minority for that matter is filled with people who claim that discrimination didn't take place or that the problem did not exist. It is far to easy to forget the reasoning and mindset that supported bigotry and hatred which leads to a denial of the original problem. While any minority should not be held out as being 'better' than anyone else we mustn't forget why the history of certain groups are recognized at times. To do so is to doom us to repeat the travesties of the past.

LaM, Honduras

2/2/2012 5:21:17 PM ET
When is Redneck History Month They have contributed alot to our American History also and I hear the are feeling disenfranchised. However African Americans had a hard road back in the day to get up to this point and do deserve some recognition for that. However at some point recognizing every group gets out of control.

Git er Done, Left out US

2/2/2012 3:10:30 PM ET
Dave it officially ends 29 Feb 12. From 1 March to 1 Feb 13 all white history for yah

Jason, Texas

2/2/2012 2:03:22 PM ET
@Dave thanks for posting back. I understand your point of view. I view the various heritage events as a way to highlight contributions of various groups not as a way to maintain separation. I usually attend the birthday celebrations of the different services since I'm typically stationed in a multi-service environment and I don't ever think we should stop celebrating Army Navy Marine Corps or Air Force birthdays. Not quite apples to apples but that's my opinion.

Beaker, Pacific Northwest

2/2/2012 12:57:57 PM ET
There is alot to African-American history month that gives great info. Yet we don't need to focus on the past.Just let everyone really know why this month was chosen. I mean the Emancipation Declaration took effect the first day of February. Then we fought for a week. The week was given in February because that's when we were declared free. Next step was the government giving us the entire month. That's the kind of stuff that needs to be presented. Next on the list is the fact that most Afro-Americans don't like being called African-American. I was born in America and raised here. I have never once stepped foot into Africa so therefore I am an American. Please just stop seperating American's from each other and help us all to grow closer. This month definitely makes an excuse for some to want special treatment or payback. It happened so we only need to not forget so that history will not repeat itself.

Brandon, Eglin AFB

2/1/2012 8:06:04 PM ET
Inspiring article...

Airman, Here.

2/1/2012 3:35:15 PM ET
@Beaker. Don't get me wrong I love reading and learning about folks accomplishments and how they overcame hardship. I just don't see why we need a special month to do it. We will never get beyond racial barriers as long as we keep separating ourselves by race. It needs to stop. And just to let you know, I would be against Caucasion-American Month as well. It seems ridiculous to me.

Dave , Peterson

2/1/2012 3:27:21 PM ET
@Gregory. I am not upset about recognizing contributions of African-Americans. I am tired of having a month set aside for any race. I think we just need to move beyond this type of stuff. If we want everyone to be treated equally without regards to their heritage, race, etc., then we should not recognize an entire set of people based on their heritage or race. I just think this stuff is dumb.

Dave, Peterson

2/1/2012 3:01:40 PM ET
I am a minority of one.

just me, just here

2/1/2012 1:25:56 PM ET
People I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along? Can we stop making it making it horrible for the older people and the kids...Its just not right. Its not right. Its not its not going to change anything. Well well get our justice....They won the battle but they haven't won the war....Please we can get along here. We all can get along. I mean were all stuck here for a while. Lets try to work it out. Lets try to beat it. Lets try to beat it. Lets try to work it out.

RK, South Central

2/1/2012 12:30:20 PM ET
May is Jewish-American Heritage Month

CM, AK

2/1/2012 11:46:14 AM ET
I read the whole article in Morgan Freeman's voice. So inspiring. My recommendation? Create an overall Heritage Month so that we can combine everything into one. That way it won't be a full month of hearing the same facts that have been cycled in use over the past 3 years and there is a chance of learning something new for once. Also hi AFEF.

Chris, Banned

2/1/2012 11:11:45 AM ET
My father taught me back in the 70's that the louder and longer you demand equal treatment because you are different the more impossible you make it for people to provide you EQUAL treatment.Special events based on being part of a specialized group, ANY group, race, religion, sexuality, whatever, are very loud demands that everyone remember that the difference exists and that they need to focus on the difference instead of on the basic similarities.I am very disappointed that the USAF still openly focuses on these differences while claiming not to care about them.

Retired SNCO, Margaritaville

2/1/2012 10:05:01 AM ET
Where's the Jewish American appreciation month? The Jews have by far faced more persecution, enslavement and attempts at being wiped off the face of the earth in the last 5,000 years. The plight of the black person pales in comparison. It's difficult to be sympathetic to a race of people who only a small percentage of choose to overcome their self-inflicted stereotypes and injustices. Why can't we just be Americans? Why can't we just hate or love each other in a fair and equitable manner?

Same , Here

2/1/2012 6:06:24 AM ET
My Tuskegee Airman ex-father in law once told me that racismdiscrimination will end when we finally stop focusing on our racials differences good or bad. We still have a long way to go.

1HuemanRayce, over here

2/1/2012 5:42:23 AM ET
Its sad that people get on here and have negitive things to post. Especailly when it comes to OUR HISTORY When I say OUR i mean AMERICAN history not just Black HistoryNative American Asianpacific Islanderor Womens History month American History didnt begin with only Caucasian males and it wont end with them either. Ignorance should be a crime.

Elisha, RAB

1/31/2012 11:38:11 PM ET
Will non-African Americans be profiled during the other 11 months of the year I'm confused. I was told there is no difference between people of different race but in order to be profiled on the Air Force website you have to be black Is this Air Force policy now Is there anything in my shop that I'm supposed to only let African Americans do during the month of February

Maj, SWA

1/31/2012 9:52:11 PM ET
@Dave - Sorry. It's a leap year so you'll have to endure an additional day and another profile. But not to worry... Hispanic Heritage Month is just around the corner.

Barney, Box Elder SD

1/31/2012 5:24:52 PM ET
@ Dave THEN DON'T READ IT

KR, Sheppard AFB

1/31/2012 4:05:47 PM ET
Dave it seems that the recognition of African Americans really upsets you this monthly recognition would not be necessary if there were recieving their due recognition for their contributions. The good thing about it that you are free not to participate or aknowledge it since you are so tired.

Gregory, Peterson

1/31/2012 2:58:06 PM ET
Question for Dave or anyone else with similar thoughts why are you sick and tired of hearing about this stuff And what if any stuff would you like to hear more about

Beaker, Pacific Northwest

1/31/2012 1:33:40 PM ET
Dave And RyanWow you two take the cake on this one. GREAT COMMENTS.

Kasi, Goodfellow

1/31/2012 12:10:46 PM ET
I fully support racial equality so when may I expect to celebrate Caucasian American History Month

Dub, Florida

1/31/2012 10:34:34 AM ET
Mr. Richards - I work at the Air Force Academy and would be happy to do a story on a black cadet candidate. We'll post a story or two on our website sometime next month.

Don Branum, U.S. Air Force Academy

1/30/2012 4:47:42 PM ET
Does African-American Heritage month have an expiration date? Please tell me it's soon. Sick and tired of hearing about this stuff.

Dave, Peterson

1/30/2012 2:36:08 PM ET
So racial profiling is okay I'm so confused.

Ryan, JBAB

1/30/2012 1:55:18 PM ET
My Afro-American son Patrick Sean Richards is one of many Afro cc @ USAF Prep-School Colorado Springs CO. waiting appointment to USAF Academy 2012-2013 School year. Please profile some of these young men in your February commentaries for this up coming generation of USAF Officers. Thank you.

Bob Richards, Glendale AZ 85308

1/30/2012 12:18:52 PM ET
Thank you

Christine McClaurin, Ellington ANGB

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