The article below details an interview with Sgt. Preston Jowers, the oldest surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the United States’ first all-black aviation unit. The excellence of this aviation unit accelerated the efforts to successfully desegregate the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948. While racism still exists, Jowers emphasizes that men and women of new generations can make a difference, just like the Tuskegee airmen did decades ago. The discriminatory treatment he and other African-American servicemen experienced included segregation not just when fighting the war, but also at meals and in communication, where men with the same rank who were different races couldn’t talk to each other. Jowers faced prejudice growing up in the South and faced further racial discrimination when his service ended and he began looking for employment as a plane mechanic. He hoped to become an employee of Detroit City Airport but ultimately had to find work elsewhere. Jowers states that the racial discrimination he and his fellow African-American servicemen faced years ago is still a major problem in the U.S. today. Discrimination is not limited workers, and can occur outside of the workplace. If you are suffering from discrimination in the Kansas City area, reach out to a labor lawyer or law firm near you to understand your rights and protections. There are laws against discrimination and attorneys against race discrimination are here to help.
Link: http://people.com/human-interest/oldest-surviving-tuskegee-airman-talks-racism/
Source: By Rose Minutaglio; From People