During World War I 370,000 African Americans labored, fought, and died to make the world safe for a democracy that refused them equal citizenship at home.
Still, African Americans performed adm.
The overwhelming majority were assigned to labor companies; those selected for combat were under-trained, poorly equipped, ad commanded by white officers who insisted on black inferiority.
The irony was made more bitter as black troops struggled with the racist policies of the American military itself.
During World War I 370,000 African Americans labored, fought, and died to make the world safe for a democracy that refused them equal citizenship at home