African-American Soldiers' Roles in World War II

I remember watching television one night with some friends, several years ago, and I saw the trailer for what many believed would be the biggest film of that particular summer. That film was "Pearl Harbor." I was not prepared for the dazzling array of special effects that were unleashed, but the special effects paled in comparison to one unforgettable shot in the amazing three-minute trailer. As the bombing commenced, military personnel and civilians were seen scrambling for cover. Ear piercing explosions destroyed many of the ships, planes and weaponry. In the midst of all this, the camera panned to an African-American sailor behind an anti-aircraft machine gun, and he cried as he fired upon the Japanese bombers. I was shocked, silent and proud all at the same time, and a lump had found its way into my throat. I reacted in this manner because I know that Hollywood has major problems with historical accuracy in its movies, especially where African-Americans are concerned. As a former student of cinema, its history, and African-American history, I truly appreciated what those precious seconds meant as the camera captured Cuba Gooding, Jr. behind that gun. Soon, as a result of seeing this film, many of you will come to know, if you don't know already, why this scene is so important to the history of this country.