Harlem Hellfighters

            The Harlem Hellfighters was a brave military unit that fought during the First World War (WWI). Notably, these African American soldiers fought courageously in the world war alongside the French army. They dedicate their lives to their country despite the racial discrimination and segregation they faced at home. Henry Johnson was one of well known of the Harlem Hellfighters. He was part of the 369th infantry of the New York National Guard. Despite being outnumbered and wounded, Henry Johnson fought German soldiers courageously when they tried to infiltrate the listening post in which he was protecting (Morecook, 2017). In the army, these soldiers faced racial discrimination. However, this did not impede or demoralize African American 15th regiment soldiers from fighting the enemies of their country

The success of the African American soldiers in the battle against the Germans is intriguing. Besides, their dedication to fighting German soldiers for an extended period reveals the professionalism and discipline they had over other American soldiers. Notably, their discipline extended beyond the racial discrimination and segregation promoted towards them by other Americans, even in the military. During the World War 1 period, the bias was extended to the soldiers through strict restrictions on how African Americans were to qualify and serve in the army (Morecook, 2017). In the military base, for instance, there were services such as toilets for African American soldiers and white Americans. Besides, African American units did not fight alongside the white American soldiers because of segregation.

Loyalty is one of the greatest lessons that people can learn from the Harlem Hellfighters. The US army sent the Harlem Hellfighters as a support unit to assist the French army in the fight against the Germans in WWI. Due to the US army’s robust discrimination policy against the African American soldiers, it gave Harlem Hellfighters stringent restrictions (Morecook, 2017). Despite them being a supporting unit, Harlem Hellfighters were taken at the front of the battle. Even the US military sent a secret memo to their French counterpart, urging them not to treat the black Americans as equals in war. Without hesitation, segregation in the provision of services such as toilets, and American intentions to demean them, these black soldiers chose to do the right thing on behalf of their country. Overall, the Harlem hell fighters took their call to duty positively and with much pride in such a way that the Germans dreaded them and coined a nickname for them, which was Harlem Hellfighters.

One of the most shocking revelations from the video about the Harlem Hellfighters is the ironical treatment African American soldiers by the French army compared to the country of their origin – United States. The US army, in particular, treated the African American discriminately and denied them special treatment such as coffee. Besides, the American military gave them broomsticks to train instead of guns (Morecook, 2017). When the US army was mistreating their black soldiers on the bases of color and calling them “negroes,” the French military was accommodative gave them and giving them equal rights.  By involving them in frontline battle, the French army showed that it trusted their abilities. The act of the US army to send untrained or poorly trained African American soldiers to support French was like a death sentence and to prove their conspiracy theory that blacks are weak people. Notably, the French army trained these soldiers, and they proved to be the best reserve unit in that they fought the German soldiers longer than any other group, not even the experienced US white army.

Today, discrimination based on color has links to the Harlem Hellfighters. In the modern world, African Americans are still discriminated against in the US. In particular, the majority of whites and government institutions, such as law enforcement agencies such as courts and police officers, continue to treat them like class citizens. Notably, police are more likely to stop and search black Americans than whites, while courts are more likely to convict a black person than a white person in similar charges.

Racial discrimination and equality are the most prominent themes from the Harlem Hellfighters‘ video. Notably, these soldiers experienced discrimination by their government at home because of the color of their screen. In particular, they received poor training, inadequate amenities, and were sent to fight an international war without experience (Morecook, 2017). However, the French people exercised equality by showing them love, training them, and involving them in the fight against the Germans. The French soldiers valued and recognized the contributions done by one of the best soldiers, Mr. Johnson. They honored him with a medal, something that the US army disregarded.

The video is an eye-opener about the attitude of the US government of the time had about people of color and specifically African Americans. It is clear that although these soldiers fought bravely for the US government abroad during the WWI, the government continued to treat them in the same way: a treatment that included segregation, denial of equal rights with their white counterparts. Some of these forms of discrimination are notable through courts and police departments where African Americans receive harsh punishment or subjected to a hostile environment even when they are innocent or unharmed.

Reference

Morecook, R. (2017). Harlem Hellfighters Video 369th Infantry New York National Guard -African American soldiers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNhi2pN2zk4&feature=youtu.be.