Patriotism: The Price Paid by the African American Soldier

General George S. Patton Jr. noted that the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country. From William Carney of the 54^th Massachusetts, who carried the regimental colors during the Battle of Ft. Wagoner, to the Harlem Hellfighters of WWI, the Buffalo soldiers of WWII, and to the eventual desegregation of the military, servicemen and women of color have fought for the right to serve their country. The ideology of patriotism, especially in the contemporary Black soldier, is deeply rooted on the foundational principles of those who served before them: the love of a country that has not always loved them, a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, and a desire to serve something greater than themselves. For soldiers of color, something as seemingly simple as serving their country has been anything but simple and has often come at a greater personal sacrifice than their White counterpart. This work will examine patriotism in servicemen and women of color, through the lens of veteran studies, by utilizing a qualitative approach that will allow the voices of those who served and sacrificed to be heard. Veterans who served in the various branches of the military during 20^th and 21^st century, including serving in combat and war zones, participated in interviews to preserve their stories. Topics included what the term patriotism meant to them; whether they thought that definition has changed over time and why; who or what most impacted their decision to serve their country; how their family and loved ones were impacted by their decisions to serve; their perception of how they were treated, as soldiers, by fellow servicemembers and society; and their perception of the current political climate of our country and how that may shape the next generation of Black soldiers.