Doug Melville is the author of "Invisible Generals," shedding light on his ancestors, America's first two Black generals. He reflects on the importance of authentic representation, especially in media like *Red Tails*. Doug shares poignant stories of perseverance and trauma faced by Black military figures. He discusses the impact of legacy, equity, and the necessity of recognizing unsung heroes. The conversation emphasizes the power of storytelling in understanding personal and communal histories and inspires embracing family narratives to shape future creative endeavors.
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Red Tails Inspiration
Doug Melville was inspired to write Invisible Generals after attending an advanced screening of Red Tails.
The film fictionalized the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, omitting the names of the real heroes, including his family member, Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
insights INSIGHT
Public Servant Copyright
Public servants' names and likenesses become public domain.
Whoever writes their story owns the copyright, not the individuals or families who lived it.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Control Your Narrative
Take control of your family's legacy.
Write down your family history to ensure it is told accurately and respectfully.
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This book tells the inspiring story of Benjamin O. Davis Sr. and Jr., a father and son who were instrumental in integrating the American military and founding the Tuskegee Airmen. Doug Melville, a descendant of these generals, recounts their struggles and achievements in a military that often grudgingly accepted them. The book also details Melville's personal quest to ensure his ancestors receive the recognition they deserve, highlighting the broader theme that Black history is an integral part of American history[1][3][5].
Doug Melville discusses his book, "Invisible Generals: Rediscovering Family Legacy, and a Quest to Honor America’s First Black Generals." The book takes us on a journey from post-Civil War America to modern-day Europe and Asia, introducing readers to prominent yet hidden heroes, inspired by Doug’s own story.
In 2011, Doug was thrilled to be invited to an advanced screening of George Lucas’ “Red Tails,” a fresh take on America’s first Black aerial squadron, the Tuskegee Airmen. However, that excitement faded quickly when he realized the film had fictionalized the story to the point of omitting all of the names and details of the heroes from the story entirely, including Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the founding commander of the unit and the patriarch of Doug’s family. Inspired, Doug began investigating passed-down histories of his family and realized that America’s first two Black Generals – Benjamin O. Davis Jr. and Benjamin Davis Sr. – were not only a father and son, but had also raised Doug’s father. He then began unearthing stories of their incredible accomplishments, their perseverance and their trauma, and realized that even when living at the highest ranks of public service, they were treated as if they were invisible because of their race. Doug’s book celebrates the everyday heroes behind the scenes, reminding us to utilize our ancestors’ victories to broaden our vision of what is possible.
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