My father was a supply officer in the Army in WWII. While stationed in England, his unit was a group of black men. My dad was raised in a small town in Northern Minnesota. A first generation American, he was taught that all men are created equal. Though his fellow officers shunned him, my dad carried out his duties and made certain the m…
My father was a supply officer in the Army in WWII. While stationed in England, his unit was a group of black men. My dad was raised in a small town in Northern Minnesota. A first generation American, he was taught that all men are created equal. Though his fellow officers shunned him, my dad carried out his duties and made certain the men under his command did their jobs and did them well.
While filling a requisition, my dad was informed that certain supplies were missing. Dad informed his commanding officer. Two days later, one of the black men in my dad’s unit Willam, was arrested for the crime.
My dad defended his unit vociferously enough that he was also thrown in the brig and had his rank busted back to private (he was a captain). He spent several weeks awaiting his court marshall. Meanwhile, more supplies went missing - of course.
At a party one weekend, another officer overheard a certain lieutenant bragging about how great it was to have “gifts” for his new mistress. The lieutenant was turned in, he confessed, and my dad and Willam were released and my dad’s rank was restored. But dad became much more vocal that the men in his unit were also Americans and deserved to be treated with respect. As you’d expect, that did not go over well.
I was born in 1954 - Brown vs the Board of Education. In 1964, after the Civil Rights act was passed, my parents broke out the champagne. I don’t remember a time when equal rights and voting rights weren’t front and center in Sunday after-dinner discussions nor a time that my parents didn’t use “current” events to start discussions about important policy issues like civil rights, women’s rights, and in our house, protecting the environment (mom was a science and math teacher). Fast forward 60 years and here we are- in the midst of furious efforts to restrict voting and control who wins national elections. Unbelievable as it seems, we are back to having to work our collective butts off to ensure that voting rights are secure and no one has the power to summarily overturn the will of the people.
So today, I will gather with other activists to discuss what actions are needed and where we can apply pressure. Tomorrow, I will be gathering donated kids clothing for children in the White Earth Indian reservation. Like many Indigenous nations, White Earth was hammered by COVID. Kids lost parents, grandparents and guardians, and too many people lost jobs. Since school is coming up, my neighbor, who grew up on White Earth, asked for help for her family and friends. It isn’t much but we hope that providing clothing, back packs with school supplies and a few fun things like new knitted and crocheted hats, mittens and blankets will help.
It helps me to do something- anything that I am able to do. Otherwise, anger and anxiety take over. I am represented, at every level of government, by Democrats. But I haver never felt less secure.
Passing the For The People Act and the Hohn Lewis voting rights act is critical. What more can we do to make this happen?
Thank you Sheila for this excellent post about your family and your values. You have my admiration. As to what to do, have a look at this site, which provides talking points on numerous liberal positions and encourages us to call our legislators and request action:
Your story about your father is uplifting in so many ways. Reading it gave me more hope that people of conscience and courage can pull us through this dark time.
Thank you, Ms. Sheila. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your family's legacy and about your efforts. I hope that these efforts continue to inspire more folks to step outside their comfort zones and advocate for a more just and equal America.
Boy, do I wish your dad was around to interview. That story of the black troops in England is so little-known, and I am about to deal with Eighth Air Force and hope to find a way to get that in. Did he ever leave any written material? Letters? A diary (I hope I hope)?
I wish. Like many in his generation, my dad never talked about the war. I heard the story just twice as a kid and only because I badgered him to tell it the second time. I hope you can locate some of the families who might have written material to share.
I was just thinking about HCR reader Cheryl Strange whose father wrote a letter from when he was stationed in Germany in January 1945 and was proud of his service as he persevered through racism. Would those troops have been in danger of being collateral damage of Eighth Air Force strikes?
Sheila, thank you so very much for sharing your father’s admirable actions and your parents’ lifelong equility stance with us! You come from and are ”good people,” clearly.
Hi Sheila, not sure of this will help. But Stacy Abrams and Michelle Obama are teaming up to campaign for voter rights - these links might provide some useful information:
Michelle Obama and Stacey Abrams are asking you to join us. Are you in?
My father was a supply officer in the Army in WWII. While stationed in England, his unit was a group of black men. My dad was raised in a small town in Northern Minnesota. A first generation American, he was taught that all men are created equal. Though his fellow officers shunned him, my dad carried out his duties and made certain the men under his command did their jobs and did them well.
While filling a requisition, my dad was informed that certain supplies were missing. Dad informed his commanding officer. Two days later, one of the black men in my dad’s unit Willam, was arrested for the crime.
My dad defended his unit vociferously enough that he was also thrown in the brig and had his rank busted back to private (he was a captain). He spent several weeks awaiting his court marshall. Meanwhile, more supplies went missing - of course.
At a party one weekend, another officer overheard a certain lieutenant bragging about how great it was to have “gifts” for his new mistress. The lieutenant was turned in, he confessed, and my dad and Willam were released and my dad’s rank was restored. But dad became much more vocal that the men in his unit were also Americans and deserved to be treated with respect. As you’d expect, that did not go over well.
I was born in 1954 - Brown vs the Board of Education. In 1964, after the Civil Rights act was passed, my parents broke out the champagne. I don’t remember a time when equal rights and voting rights weren’t front and center in Sunday after-dinner discussions nor a time that my parents didn’t use “current” events to start discussions about important policy issues like civil rights, women’s rights, and in our house, protecting the environment (mom was a science and math teacher). Fast forward 60 years and here we are- in the midst of furious efforts to restrict voting and control who wins national elections. Unbelievable as it seems, we are back to having to work our collective butts off to ensure that voting rights are secure and no one has the power to summarily overturn the will of the people.
So today, I will gather with other activists to discuss what actions are needed and where we can apply pressure. Tomorrow, I will be gathering donated kids clothing for children in the White Earth Indian reservation. Like many Indigenous nations, White Earth was hammered by COVID. Kids lost parents, grandparents and guardians, and too many people lost jobs. Since school is coming up, my neighbor, who grew up on White Earth, asked for help for her family and friends. It isn’t much but we hope that providing clothing, back packs with school supplies and a few fun things like new knitted and crocheted hats, mittens and blankets will help.
It helps me to do something- anything that I am able to do. Otherwise, anger and anxiety take over. I am represented, at every level of government, by Democrats. But I haver never felt less secure.
Passing the For The People Act and the Hohn Lewis voting rights act is critical. What more can we do to make this happen?
Sheila, You have gifted us today. Thank you.
Thank you Sheila for this excellent post about your family and your values. You have my admiration. As to what to do, have a look at this site, which provides talking points on numerous liberal positions and encourages us to call our legislators and request action:
https://5calls.org/
Your story about your father is uplifting in so many ways. Reading it gave me more hope that people of conscience and courage can pull us through this dark time.
Thank you, Ms. Sheila. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your family's legacy and about your efforts. I hope that these efforts continue to inspire more folks to step outside their comfort zones and advocate for a more just and equal America.
Blessings on you, Sheila, and your family, and all Americans who accept and support ALL Americans.
We worked so hard getting Democrats elected - why can't they do this simple thing - protect voting rights!!!
because there are too many iorns in the fire and not enough workers who know what to do
What a great example of what one person can do. Thank you, Sheila.
Boy, do I wish your dad was around to interview. That story of the black troops in England is so little-known, and I am about to deal with Eighth Air Force and hope to find a way to get that in. Did he ever leave any written material? Letters? A diary (I hope I hope)?
I wish. Like many in his generation, my dad never talked about the war. I heard the story just twice as a kid and only because I badgered him to tell it the second time. I hope you can locate some of the families who might have written material to share.
I was just thinking about HCR reader Cheryl Strange whose father wrote a letter from when he was stationed in Germany in January 1945 and was proud of his service as he persevered through racism. Would those troops have been in danger of being collateral damage of Eighth Air Force strikes?
No, they were part of the organization.
Sheila, thank you so very much for sharing your father’s admirable actions and your parents’ lifelong equility stance with us! You come from and are ”good people,” clearly.
Wow, Sheila, what a family history. God bless you and your family.
Thank you for this post.
Hi Sheila, not sure of this will help. But Stacy Abrams and Michelle Obama are teaming up to campaign for voter rights - these links might provide some useful information:
Michelle Obama and Stacey Abrams are asking you to join us. Are you in?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UgpkzWdNcio
Brennan Center for Justice - Voting Laws Roundup: July 2021
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-july-2021
The New Georgia Project
https://newgeorgiaproject.org
Fair Fight
https://fairfight.com
When We All Vote
https://whenweallvote.org
Here are some really good active resources:
VALARIE KAUR - REVOLUTIONARY LOVE PROJECT
https://valariekaur.com/revolutionary-love-project/
The People's Inauguration
https://thepeoplesinauguration.org
Dream Corps
https://www.thedreamcorps.org
Thank you for alerting us to this new and important opportunity.
Thanks Kathleen. All of these are excellent groups doing important work!
... here's another one:
No Dem Left Behind
https://www.nodemleftbehind.com
... and this article from YES Magazine:
The Fight to Protect Voting Rights Enters the Next Round
https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2021/08/06/protect-voting-rights-congress-members-arrested
A group of HCR Substackers has formed to turn good discussion into good action in support of all-inclusive democracy. For more info, email
heathersherd@gmail.com
Thank you Ellie, good to know!!
I’ve subscribed to YES Magazine for many years. Thanks for putting this article up here-a good reminder!
Sure thing Fern, I hope it makes a difference - 2 powerhouse women in the lead!!
Sheila B (MN) - a beautiful account.