Famed Tuskegee Airmen To Speak at Virginia Commonwealth University for Black History Month
World War II heroes and civil rights pioneers from the famed Tuskegee Airmen will speak at Virginia Commonwealth University on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 5:30PM at the VCU Student Commons Richmond Salon.
At a time when many people thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism, these dedicated young men overcame tremendous obstacles of racism and discrimination to serve their country and become America's first black military airmen.
From 1942 through 1946, 994 pilots graduated at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Many others were trained in operations, meteorology, intelligence, engineering, medicine, ground support, or any one of the other skills necessary to fully function as an Army Air Corps flying squadron or ground support unit.
The black airmen proudly displayed skill and determination while suppressing internal rage from humiliation and indignation caused by frequent experiences of racism and bigotry, at home and overseas. These airmen fought two wars - one against a military force overseas and the other against racism at home and abroad.
Their superior performance led President Harry Truman to enact an executive order directing equality of treatment and opportunity in all of the United States Armed Forces. This order, in time, led to the end of racial segregation in the military forces, and was the first step toward racial integration in the United States. The positive experience, the outstanding record of accomplishment and the superb behavior of black airmen during World War II, and after, were important factors in the initiation of the historic social change to achieve racial equality in America.
This event is hosted by the African American Graduate Association (AAGA) at VCU in recognition of Black History month. The AAGA was established in 2002 to promote fellowship, scholarship, and professional development for African-American graduate students attending Virginia Commonwealth University. The organization strives to enhance the pursuit of academic excellence throughout the VCU community. The AAGA’s purpose is to provide a support network for African-American undergraduate and graduate students and to promote cultural enrichment at VCU and the community at large. Additional information about this event and the AAGA can be found at www.studentorg.vcu.edu/aagavcu.
For more information contact:
Gary D. Futrell
AAGA President
African American Graduate Association
907 Floyd Avenue
P.O. Box 842032
Richmond, VA 23284
PHONE: 804-647-5860
EMAIL: aagapresident@yahoo.com
--Submitted by the African American Graduate Association
Comments
This was the coolest event of Black History Month so far. It was seriously awesome to have people of such historical importance at VCU!
Posted by: Ali Faruk | February 16, 2006 11:49 AM
Hello,
I found your research interesting. With all of your knowlege about the subject, I thought you might be able to offer to the world, a definition of Tuskegee Airmen. I thought that I knew, because in grew up in the presence of at least one. Many of my so called "uncles" were also graduates of the flight school in Tuskegee. But since the Congressional Gold Medal ordeal, it appears that the definition of the term has changed. Perhaps you could shed some light in my direction because I am truly confused and frankly disgusted. Somehow individuals who were in anyway associated with the "tuskegee experience" are able to claim the same recognition as those who actually graduated from the flight school and flew the planes during the war. On the one hand, the TA's were honored by the idea of being awarded such a medal. On the other hand, it is like they won the lottery by having 6 numbers, but the individuals with 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 numbers get to share the prize money equally. They have in effect, watered down, or minimized the meaning of this award. Sure, the plight of the mechanics, administrators, ground crews, and the like must have been dificult. But..... did what they accomplished rise to the level of receiving a Congressional Gold Medal, a medal that has only been awarded 300 times in our nations history. This makes a mockery of the entire system. Even individuals that didn't have any ties to that era have been able to get into the ceremony before many of the remaining "real" Tuskegee Airmen. I hope they ask the "Real Tuskegee Airmen" to stand up during the ceremony. The other people present should be ashamed of themselves for taking up space that should have been reserved for the heroes that laid their lives on the line in those planes. There were in my opinion, only 994 "original Tuskegee Airmen" To claim otherwise is to discount the struggle, plight and achievements of the gentlemen who proudly belong to that elite group. Correct me if I am wrong.
Posted by: kristine rowe | March 8, 2007 2:46 AM