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American History Tellers
Buffalo Soldiers | Suffering in Silence | 4
Feb 26, 2025
Lieutenant Colonel Rory McGovern, an Associate Professor at West Point and co-author of a pivotal book on Black cadets, delves into the harrowing experiences of the first Black students at the U.S. Military Academy. He discusses the intense racism, hazing, and struggles for dignity faced by these trailblazers from 1870 to 1899. McGovern highlights James Webster Smith's journey as the first Black cadet and the historical significance of figures like Henry Ossian Flipper, shedding light on the ongoing fight for equality and representation in the military.
37:45
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Quick takeaways
- The early Black cadets at West Point faced systematic racism and harassment, highlighting the extensive challenges to their military aspirations.
- Henry Ossian Flipper's graduation in 1877 marked a significant, yet complex milestone in integrating Black cadets into the U.S. Army's history.
Deep dives
The Experience of Early Black Cadets
In 1870, James Webster Smith and Michael Howard arrived at West Point with the aspiration of becoming the first Black cadets in its history. Their experience quickly turned troubling as they faced discrimination and harassment from fellow cadets, exemplified by an incident where a white candidate physically assaulted Howard for refusing to move out of the way. Despite reporting these attack, their claims were dismissed by West Point officials, who accused them of exaggerating to stir trouble. Ultimately, Howard left the academy, leaving Smith to navigate the challenges of being a Black cadet largely alone, which set the stage for the struggles that would follow.
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