One of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen remembers struggle for recognition amid Trump's DEI purge

[BumRushDaShow]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: ABC News/AP

Updated 12:44 AM EDT, March 23, 2025


AURORA, Colo. (AP) — With members of a trailblazing Black Air Force unit passing away at advanced ages, efforts to remain true to their memory carry on despite sometimes confusing orders from President Donald Trump as he purges federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Col. James H. Harvey III, 101, is among the last few airmen and support crew who proved that a Black unit — the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen — could fight as well as any other in World War II and the years after. He went on to become the first Black jet fighter pilot in Korean airspace during the Korean War, and a decorated one after 126 missions. He was one of four Tuskegee Airmen who won the first U.S. Air Force Gunnery Meet in 1949, a forerunner of today’s U.S. Navy “Top Gun” school.

“They said we didn’t have any ability to operate aircraft or operate heavy machinery. We were inferior to the white man. We were nothing,” Harvey said. “So we showed them.” Shortly after Trump’s January inauguration, the Air Force removed new recruit training courses that included videos of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The removal drew bipartisan outrage and the White House’s ire over what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as “malicious implementation” of Trump’s executive order. The Air Force quickly reversed course. Announcing the reversal, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in a statement that the initial removal was because the service, like other agencies, had to move swiftly to comply with Trump’s executive order with “no equivocation, no slow-rolling, no foot-dragging.”

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/surviving-tuskegee-airmen-remembers-struggle-recognition-amid-trumps-120068996

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"...had to move swiftly to comply with Trump’s executive order with “no equivocation, no slow-rolling, no foot-dragging.”

"Just following 'orders'"

But "Price of eggs", "Kitchen table issues", "Working class".

[democrank]

1. The Tuskegee Airmen are actual heroes.

King Trump isn’t fit to be in a room with their photo.

[Henry203]

2. Accident my ass

These people are racists.

[William Seger]

3. "What have you got to lose?"

[70sEraVet]

4. We are in the 'Un-Civil Rights' era

Remember when people were trying to determine just what time period the 'Make America Great Again' movement wanted to take us back to? Now we know -- back to the time when Blacks were treated as though they HAD no history!

[Solly Mack]

5. ...

[republianmushroom]

6. Thank you, Col. James H. Harvey, for your sacrifices and service.

You and the rest of those brave men will never be forgotten, Sir.

[Omaha Steve]

7. AFTER a review by forum hosts LOCKING

This is a feature story, not LBN.