WWII pilot recalls race issues

In fighting a war against racism, the U.S. military was itself guilty of discrimination during World War II. Last night, Eugene Richardson, a Tuskegee airman pilot, spoke to an audience of about 50 Penn employees and community members about the legacy of African Americans in the U.S. military. The event was part of the University's celebration of Black History Month. Richardson, among the first African-American pilots to fight during World War II, noted that "black men have fought in every war for this country," adding that "a black man was the first person to die in a war for this country [during the Revolutionary War]." By World War I however, military officials "forgot to look back," according to Richardson. He cited an armed forces study, conducted around the time of World War I, which stated that "the negro, by nature, is subservient... [and] unmoral." African Americans were denied the right to serve in the military in most frontline positions, especially as pilots. It was not until the middle of World War II that this trend changed, when the military authorized Tuskegee University to offer advanced training for African-American pilots. Richardson was one of the graduates of this training program. During his speech, Richardson emphasized the racism the Tuskegee airmen faced, citing the case of Benjamin Davis -- a four-star general and graduate of West Point -- who commanded the Tuskegee airmen squadron. Davis, the only African-American cadet at West Point, was subject to the "silent rule," meaning that "during the four years [Davis] was at West Point, no one spoke to him socially," Richardson said. During World War I, some African Americans managed to circumvent racism. The 369th regiment, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters, were "lent" to the French and, thus, saw more time on the front lines than anyone else. Yesterday's talk was the first effort of the newly formed Veteran's Advisory Committee to raise awareness on Penn's campus about veterans. However, some University employees were upset that few students took advantage of the opportunity to hear such a rare speaker. Michele Goldfarb, director of the Office of Student Conduct, said that she "was really disappointed that there weren't more students [because] the ones who can speak authentically about these experiences [are] dwindling." Anne Mickle, dean of Stouffer College House, agreed, saying that it was sad for students to miss "this unique opportunity to see living history."