Racial Relations during the Vietnam Era - Research Paper Example

Racial Relations during the Vietnam Era Different units of the American forces played a major role in the Vietnam War. The marine force reconnaissance was one unit that had its camps in Vietnam. The marine force comprised of both whites and other marines from the minority groups. However, it is worth noting that the contribution of the African Americans in the Vietnam War was prominent. Most of the black marines did not have an easy time at the training and service. Despite the racial challenges that existed at the time, some black marines proved to be exemplary models worth emulating by their counterparts. Most of them joined the marine forces at eighteen. Into the training, they carried along all the prejudices they had experienced in their earlier life. In such critical times, training played a great role in transforming these individuals into a unified marine force reconnaissance. As this essay brings out, racial relations in the marine were not good at the time and many African Americans had to face these setbacks. 1962 was the year when the then American president granted equal opportunity to people from all races to join the American forces. The African Americans were facing challenges because of their color (Shaw and Donelly 70). In many sectors of the marine forces, discrimination existed and the status of African Americans was bad. Race was a key barrier for them and they lacked easy access to opportunities compared to the whites. These are the reasons why the president saw the essence of a committee that would investigate into the issue. Increased segregation existed in the marine forces. The investigation of the matter was taking place in the 1960’s when a high racial tension existed in America (Shaw and Donelly 82). At the same time, the situation in Vietnam was worsening. At the time, joining the marine force was voluntary and individuals taking up the responsibility understood the risk involved. Due to the rising racial tension, civil rights movements rose up to champion for the rights of black marines. The African American marines lacked equal opportunities in promotions, job assignments, and military justice. In addition, it was evident that the organization and involving of blacks in public events had a lot of racial influence. There were different camps of the marines in different regions. The camps at Vietnam reported incidences that resulted from the existing racial indifferences. The white-black relations were falling apart in the 1960’s. The blacks who had been the subject of discrimination for a long time now stood up in reaction. In one case in Vietnam, an evening in a club turned violent when some blacks rose against their white counterparts resulting to deaths and injuries (Shaw and Donelly 71-72)). African Americans had experienced a hard time in America and carried deep in the hearts the misconceptions, frustrations and suspicions that were solely on racial basis. The life of an African American in the marine was not easy. Some blacks received a disqualification in the initial stages of the recruitment process. Those who survived into the basic reconnaissance training had to have a strong will and physical strength to serve. The only way out of the infantry for an African American was proving to have an incredible integrity. In accordance to reforms intended in the 1960’s, training was a crucial part in preaching equality among the marines. Since they joined the force reconnaissance at a time when racism was at its peak, there were racial tags existing right from training (Shaw and Donelly 77). At times African Americans felt that race was a hindrance to their rising to higher posts in the force. Although equality was preached and the committee commissioned by the president to investigate into the causes of discrimination and violence in marine camps gave recommendations, there were still racial challenges to reckon with. In many instances, blacks could rise to attain promotions but these did not come with other privileges as applied to promoted whites. The African Americans resulted to the combat situation despite the promotion. In addition, African Americans in the forces were more prone to court martial and punishment for offences. Although at times the cases involved serious offenses, African Americans felt that race was a key factor that affected their fate. Generally, convicted African Americans were sure to get a higher punishment than their white counter parts even if the offenses were similar. Other racial complications arose during honorable discharges. However, it is worth noting that the status of African American soldiers lacked high education and advanced training. Among the troops that landed in Vietnam from 1954 through to 1962 when the official launch occurred, African Americans played important roles in the marine force (Alt 119). General Chapman and Cushman had every good intention of addressing issues raised by the minority groups (Shaw and Donelly 77). One of the new policies that they put in place was an increase in the number of black officers. In 1967, there was a doubling of the black officers in the marine force. In addition, integration was highly encouraged. Despite incidences as the one described above, the real fighting in Vietnam saw blacks assume important responsibilities. These included leadership of squads, companies, and platoons. Others worked as pilots to the marine force. Lieutenant colonel Frank E. Peterson was one of the African American marines who stood out in their service. He was typically among the first blacks to receive awards and honors for their diligent service in the marine (Shaw and Donelly 78). He was black and proud and he rose over all the challenges in his way to get promotions. On his arrival in Vietnam, he bore the responsibility of commanding a squadron and was the first black in such a position. It was clear that at this time, blacks could earn some trust in the marine force (Shaw and Donelly 80). Sergeant major Huff was another outstanding character who had two opportunities of playing crucial roles in the Vietnam War. He later received a bronze star award for risking his life to save a fellow marine. Several other black marines received awards for their diligent service and selfless sacrifices (Shaw and Donelly 78).The group that joined the marine camp in 1942 at Mont ford point camp proved a different lot. Among them were people who had the resilience to persevere, endure the racial adversities in the marine force, and work their way upwards. New policies and doctrines were in place to rectify the racial situation in the marine at the time. However, it was entirely difficult to change some people to conform to the equality culture preached by the marine force. To some of them, racial discrimination remained a reality even in the force. The African American who found the strengths to stand in the force were living proof that blacks could contribute positively in the marine force. The Montford point camp was an important training that saw the initial training of black marines. The camp received its first recruits in 1942. Other groups reporting to the training camp in later years received a much more detailed training. This camp marked the first opportunity to offer credible training to black marines and produced the brave marines who fought selflessly in the Vietnam War. When an increase of black officers was called for, many young recruits joined the camp. In this era, strict segregation was the order of the day. Sergeant major Huff mentioned above proved to the world that his being black did not hinder him from service. He left a record of thirty years of diligent service and was the longest serving sergeant among all his counter parts (Shaw and Donelly 80). At the verge of the Vietnam War, joining the forces was the only hope for most African Americans as it offered the best pay. There was an increase in the number of new recruits in the forces and a larger percentage of African Americans were willing to risk their lives in a second visit to Vietnam (Alt 114). During this second visit, many of the whites chose to back out of the forces. Despite all the racial adversities faced by African Americans in the marine force, they preferred being in the force than meeting the challenges surrounding race as civilians (Westheider 15). In addition, most of the African Americans appreciated that the forces were making efforts for integration (Westheider 12). It is evident that the racial relations during the Vietnam era were not the best America has ever experienced. The racial tension that existed in the society greatly affected the situation in the marine forces. African Americans were easily taken in during this era at the Montford training camp. In addition, most of them were willing to volunteer because the forces offered better opportunities than the civilian society. Times were hard for the African Americans but those who remained diligent and resilient did the other black soldiers proud. The policies the government put in place at such a time improved chances for the African Americans. Work Cited Westheider, James E. The African American Experience in Vietnam: Brothers in Arms. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007. Print. Alt, William E, and Betty S. Alt. Black Soldiers, White Wars: Black Warriors from Antiquity to the Present. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Praeger, 2002. Print. Shaw, Henry I, and Ralph W. Donnelly. Blacks in the Marine Corps. Washington: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 2002. Print. Read More