Consider This from NPR Black Vets Were Excluded From G.I. Bill Benefits. Congress Could Fix That.
Oct 27, 2022
Quil Lawrence, an NPR reporter, shines a light on the historical exclusion of Black veterans from the G.I. Bill benefits after World War II. He discusses the racial injustices faced by these veterans and how their exclusion contributed to the growing wealth gap in America. The poignant story of Bill Dabney, who served in the Barrage Balloon Battalion, highlights the personal impact of this systemic racism. The conversation also centers on a new bill in Congress aiming to provide reparations, offering hope for families like Dabney's.
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Exclusion from GI Bill
- Black veterans were often excluded from GI Bill benefits due to segregation.
- This exacerbated the wealth gap between Black and white Americans.
Bill Dabney's D-Day Experience
- Bill Dabney, a Black veteran, served in the Barrage Balloon Battalion on D-Day.
- His unit, the first on Omaha Beach, faced heavy German fire.
Dabney's Silence
- Bill Dabney rarely spoke about his wartime experiences to his family.
- Returning to the Jim Crow South, he faced discrimination despite his service.