Tyndall reflects on black history

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Black History Month, celebrated in February and born in the early 1920's, allows an opportunity to reflect on the past and push for a better tomorrow.

"In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, 'the Father of Black History,' selected a week in February, corresponding with the birthdays of civil rights pioneer, Frederick Douglass, and President Abraham Lincoln, to focus Americans' attention on the accomplishments and legacy of black Americans in American history," said Mr. Ted Roberts, 325th Fighter Wing historian. "Of course, now recognition has been extended through the whole month of February. This year marks the 87th annual national celebration of the role of Black Americans in all segments of life and many Airmen wonder how this whole thing started."

Tyndall Air Force Base, itself, was very much a reflection of American norms in regards to the treatment of African Americans.

"Tyndall Field, established on December 7, 1941, was no stranger to racism and segregation," Roberts said. "The very fact that the base maintained a segregated living area, specifically intended for blacks serving in the Army Air Corps, demonstrates how the contemporary military reflected American society. The 'colored' barracks where black soldiers were housed still exist in the facilities around building 472."

But, there were those who had looked beyond race, and they understood any Airman was capable of greatness if they had determination and put forth hard work.

"Lt. Col. Raymond "Mac" MacKinnon (USAF, ret.) was a white Tyndall Airman who was pulled for supposedly 'career ending' duty to train young black airmen how to fly," Roberts said. "Overcoming such ludicrous falsehoods as 'blacks aren't able to see in the dark, and therefore can't fly planes,' he was part of a cadre who pioneered pilot training at a little base up in Tuskegee, Ala., ... and now you know 'the rest of the story.' Mac passed away at the ripe old age of 92 during Black History Month last year."

When federal laws finally supported desegregation, Tyndall followed suit to make things right, even if the state of Florida was not on board.

"President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948 doing away with segregation in the military," Roberts said. "By the end of the Korean War, five years later, the U.S. military, and specifically the Air Force, was almost completely desegregated, and that included in its dependent schools as well. In fact, the base's elementary school, established on Tyndall in 1953, was constituted specifically to bypass Florida state segregation laws."

Often, the military was the catalyst for change, regarding civil rights, and it has remained at the forefront, he added.

"Providing the opportunity for individual development, upward mobility and excellence, the Air Force leads the way in educating its men and women for skills required in the 21st century," Roberts said. "The Air Force continues this tradition by continuing to provide the best possible technical training to our young airmen and officers and getting its motivated airmen involved in local community programs, during Black History Month and throughout the year."