Where have all the black soldiers gone? African-Americans not in Eastwood's new WWII film

The Guardian (UK) ^ | October 21, 2006 | Dan Glaister

[EveningStar]

On February 19 1945 Thomas McPhatter found himself on a landing craft heading toward the beach on Iwo Jima...

Sadly, Sgt McPhatter's experience is not mirrored in Flags of Our Fathers, Clint Eastwood's big-budget, Oscar-tipped film of the battle for the Japanese island that opened on Friday in the US. While the film's battle scenes show scores of young soldiers in combat, none of them are African-American. Yet almost 900 African-American troops took part in the battle of Iwo Jima, including Sgt McPhatter...

[cyborg]

I'm careful to ask about war stories. Some want to forget what they experienced and for them alzheimers may be a blessing. Most are more than happy to talk about their experiences. I actually cared for a soldier that was at Iwo Jima. He died not too long ago :(

[AnAmericanMother]

I think everybody has to deal with their experiences in their own way, and we who listen accept whatever they give.

All dad's war stories were funny until about 10-15 years ago. Then he started talking about the scary stuff, but I think it was just that he didn't think we wanted to hear it. But we do, we want to know whatever he wants to tell.

I was a military history major, so I bring a little knowledge to the table. He doesn't have to explain too much background for me.

[cyborg]

I think it's good for them to get out all the scary stuff. It's healthy. Men of that age were not into venting but it's good for the heart and mind. Give your dad a good handshake and a thank you for me :-)

[Dan(9698)]

Most people in England at that time had never seen a black man.

I grew up on a ranch in Northern Wyoming.

There was one Mexican family in the area, but I didn't see a black man until I was in high school.

We also were not taught anything bad about them, they just weren't in the area.

The first I was around any blacks was when I joined the Army. There were blacks in our Army unit when I was in Germany and were good friends.

I now am in central Wyoming and there are few blacks. Riverton is in an Indian Reservation and we have Indian friends. Race is not a big deal here.

[Pro-Bush]

More chocolate please.

[Future Snake Eater]

That "token Moor" was the best thing about that crappy movie (with the possible exception of Alan Rickman).

[Drammach]

Same here.. I was raised in North Dakota..
I was a senior in high school before I saw a black in person... prior to that, television and the ocassional movie were my only exposure..
I met plenty of Indians, ( native americans ) during my youth, as my maternal granparents and great GPs were located next to a cherokee reservation... many of the kids I played with were indian..
Additionally, my paternal GM remarried, so my step-GF was Indian, and I therefore had 2 "uncles" that were half indian..
One of my sisters married a guy with white, mexican and indian ancestry, and one of her daughters is married to an american born mexican ( latino ) so I have nieces and nephews with latino ancestry..

Some of my military service was with what was referred to as the "red ball express" during WW2.. 7th army, 543rd MP Co.
It was originally a black unit, and even when I was there, it had a fairly high black representation..

Given my background, I grew up to be "highly intolerant" of anyone that thought they were better than others..
And while I don't tend to put up with a lot of PC bull, there are times when facts are facts..
Racism still exists..
It will never completely go away..
I can live with that, I'm a pragmatist at heart..

Race is not usually a big deal with me..
Just when it's a big deal with others...

I think the problem with this whole movie deal is probably trumped up a bit, for sensation's sake, but there is some justification for the bitter feelings as well..
Some of these WW2 vets are coming to the end of their days, and because they are black, indian, latino, or asian, and haven't seen a whole lot of representation of their part in that conflict, they have a lot of resentment...
I can understand that..
I like to get credit for my successes..
I sure as h**l get the blame for my failures..

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

the US was going broke. I was wondering how much was true, I never heard any of that, but it is in Bradley's book, too.

The entire federal debt today is the result of WWII plus accumulated interest. Without WWII debt service, every budget since then would have been balanced. Something I never hear anyone talk about, but I challenge anyone to look at the numbers.

[Drammach]

That "token Moor" was the best thing about that crappy movie (with the possible exception of Alan Rickman).

Ever seen that movie " The 13th Warrior " ??
It was based on Michael Crichton's " Eaters of the Dead "..

The "arab" main character was actually black in the book..
They filled the part with Antonio Banderas..
I've never forgiven hollywood for that..
( Actually, he did a good job, but he sure isn't black..)

[norton]

Given that Robin Hood is mythical or at least heavily embellished to begin with, adding a new and unlikely character just for American sensitivities should be embarrassing.

Best part of the movie was the Sheriff who I assume was Rickman.

[norton]

Good read, good flic; you're correct.

[fso301]

The entire federal debt today is the result of WWII plus accumulated interest. Without WWII debt service, every budget since then would have been balanced. Something I never hear anyone talk about, but I challenge anyone to look at the numbers.

that is very interesting to say the least. I will have to investigate further. Could you direct me to a good starting point?

[sgtyork]

It sounds more like a technical requirement - silver metal - than a financial one.

[fso301]

It sounds more like a technical requirement - silver metal - than a financial one.

Correct.

[warsaw44]

"and a bunch of mercenarys came in to eat"
hello!
I was reading through FReepers opinions about Flags of our Fathers and came across your experience in Vietnam. I've only studied the war in bits and pieces but I'd never even heard of this. Can you fill me in?
Were mercenarys hired by the US or S.Vietnam government? Any idea as to background / where they attached to a specific US unit / etc.
Anything you can tell me I'd appreciate and certainly find fascinating. Like 'ol Truman said: " The only thing new is the history you dont know ".
( I've always loved that quote )

[31M20RedDevil]

I`ve never heard much about the merc`s myself.From what I heard
when I was there they were hired by the Americans

They were from all over the world.At least the ones I saw were ex Foreign
Legion troopers.

They were a tough looking bunch,bowie knives,machine guns over the shoulder.

Not a highly publicized part of the war for sure.

I would imagine they would be targeting high value targets.

[warsaw44]

Interesting.
I recall reading about the large number of SS troops who joined the FRL after WWII. If I recall correctly many of these men were involved in the Battle of Dien bien Phu. When it was learned by the French public of these soldiers backgrounds they were forced out of the FRL.
Although these men couldn't have been who you saw they'd be too old.
- and by the way, thank you for your service!

[okie01]

The armed services were not desegregated until 1946 when Truman did so under executive order. Even then, it took time to complete.

And the first desegregated military unit was....???

The Arizona Air National Guard, under the command of Col. Barry Goldwater. And it happened at his express request.

[supremedoctrine]

"His last boxing movie was horrible"---
---I didn't think it was horrible, just a thoroughly conventional decent/good movie that was vastly overpraised, due largely to Roger Ebert's intemperate
MASTERPIECE label put on it immediately, and his silly
TV review where he kept punching the "if you think this is just a boxing movie, you are going to be very surprised,becuase it turns into SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY halfway through! I can't say what, but.......etc.etc."
It did have some undeniably moving moments though, like when the meaning of the Gaelic phrase was revealed to her on her deathbed, but boy, did the movie have to work hard to get to that moment. And some funny stuff too, like the desultory meandering conversation between Eastwood and Morgan Freeman in the gym's office, about the holes in his socks.Overall, though, the film didn't even seem to get the details of the boxing world right, it was all kind of generic and made-up-feeling, like it could have happened in any time and place, because, who would really know , not being an insider into the seamy world of sweaty gyms and the more current trend of female boxers? UNFORGIVEN is by far the best of Eastwood's films, followed by A PERFECT WORLD, and one of his earliest PLAY MISTY FOR ME.