Blacks in the Military and Beyond

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African 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and sustain the Black middle class; to more controversial topics that question the alignment of the militarys now repealed Dont Ask, Dont Tell and Dont Pursue policy with those of the larger overarching values of the African American community. Ultimately, this book challenges the military to be more strategic as to the long term effects of its decisions, particularly with regard to the downsizing of its forces, to be ever mindful of upholding its moral compact with African Americans.

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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

Author Bio

G.L.A. Harris is professor in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University. Evelyn L. Lewis is chief medical officer at Warrior Central Health.