Description
Book SynopsisAfrican Americans have long used the military for gaining legitimacy and the ultimate path to citizenship. Blacks in the Military and Beyond thoughtfully chronicles their tumultuous journey from slavery through the present, extending the ourstory to both pre-service, in service and post-service economic considerations as significant factors in determining whether or not serving in the military has indeed advantaged Blacks, and how such mechanisms like the periodic drawing down of forces have impacted Blacks overall. The authors delve into the role of HBCUs that collectively have become the primary source for Black commissioned officers; the military as a conduit in helping to create and sustain the Black middle class; to more controversial topics that question the alignment of the military's now repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell and Don't Pursue policy with those of the larger overarching values of the African American community. Ultimately, this book challenges the military to be more st
Trade Review“Blacks in the Military and Beyond is an important contribution to our scholarship on this topic. The book not only tells the fascinating story of integration of blacks in the U.S. Armed Forces, its background, development, but also where we are today as well as what should be done in the future to advance military race relations. Equally vital, it underscores the broader historic, political, economic, and social impacts of military desegregation on the long, complex struggle for civil rights and human equality in America.” -- Richard Stillman, University of Colorado and author of The Integration of the Negro in the U.S. Armed Forces
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Trials, Tribulations, and Tributes Chapter 2: Blacks Official Entry into Military Service: The Long Road Traveled to Integration Chapter 3: Sisters in the Struggle: The Role of Black Women in the Military Chapter 4: The Role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Still a Repository for Black Talent Chapter 5: The Black Middle Class and the Path to Economic Wealth Chapter 6: Is Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and Don’t Pursue at Odds with the Black Community? Chapter 7: Education and Affirmative Action Chapter 8: The Business Case: Entrepreneurship and Esprit de Corps Chapter 9: The Changing Economics of Military Service Chapter 10: Advancing Through the Ranks: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Careers Chapter 11: The Allure of Military Service: Forecast for Black Recruitment
