Musings: Facing racism in Vietnam
Vietnam veteran Coy Richardson, left, of Freeport, Sgt. 1st class Raul Martinez of East Meadow and Nassau County Sheriff officer Joseph O’Shaughnessy, during a moment of silence at Long Island’s largest Memorial Day parade of firefighters and first responders, May 31, 2021 in Freeport, in front of the Freeport Memorial Library. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Many in the media have properly honored Vietnam veterans after five decades have passed. But one major component is usually left out.
Yes, many were treated badly upon returning to a country divided by war, racism and lack of equal rights protection. Sadly, while serving in Vietnam, many Black soldiers faced extreme discrimination and racism within their own ranks, which has been documented.
While navigating Vietnam’s hardships and dangers, Black soldiers faced the same prejudices as they did back home. Yet news articles have overlooked this important component.
Perhaps the media could have asked soldiers who were honored at a Nov. 2 ceremony in Old Bethpage what their experiences were really like, exploring them more deeply.
Today, let’s remember Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day, as a time to remind ourselves of the way World War I was promoted in 1918: “The war to end all wars.” U.S. forever wars, though, still continue 106 years later.
— Myrna Gordon, Port Jefferson
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