Martin Luther King Day: The Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen

Today, the U.S celebrates Martin Luther King Day, a national holiday to commemorate the civil rights leader. To mark the occasion, His Excellency Louis Susman, the American Ambassador, hosted the UK’s premier screening of the film Double Victory at the American Embassy in London.

Double Victory, a Lucasfilm production, tells the story and achievements of the first ever group of African American aviators in the U.S. Known as the Tuskegee Airmen of WW2, the film depicts their story of fighting fascism in Europe, whilst also engaging in the non-violent fight against racism in the U.S.

The Tuskegee Airmen made history as the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. During World War II, African Americans in the U.S were still subject to the Jim Crow laws, the infamous legislation which racially segregated Americans.

The American military was racially segregated and the Tuskegee Airmen were subject to discrimination, as many believed that African Americans did not have the mental capacity or conviction to serve in the Air Force.

Now in their 90s, two of the veteran Airmen - Lt Col. Alexander Jefferson and 1st Lt. Leroy Gillead - attended the screening. Retelling his experiences of WW2, Gillead said,

“We were involved in fighting two wars. We lived in a nation that expected you to die for them, but where you couldn’t eat a hot dog in a normal restaurant. Even the German prisoners of war were treated better than us.”

Despite the rampant racism they experienced, the Tuskegee Airmen trained and flew with distinction.

From an original crew of nearly 1000 Airmen, only 50 or so are still surviving, many are still activists, using their skills and experiences to encourage others to transform society for the better. Lieutenant Gillead said,

“I still have fire in my belly to make sure that the US holds up to the ideals that America was founded upon.”

Speaking to invited guests, which included school children from around London, American Ambassador Louis Susman said,

“They blazed a trail for others to succeed, from Rosa Parks to Obama. Their experience should inspire. So today, think about Martin Luther King, about his Dream, and think about how you can further that dream.”

The now celebrated Airmen have had their experience turned to film with the production of Double Victory and the release of Red Tails in the US later this month. (Release date for the UK not scheduled at present).

Francine Fernandes