Meet Joe, a Black soldier who served in World War II. He fought bravely in the Pacific, but when he returned home, the rewards of war weren't for him. The GI Bill, a program designed to help veterans get education and housing, was mostly off-limits for Black soldiers like Joe. This wasn't a secret, it was the law of the land.

Imagine trying to go to college or buy a house without the help the GI Bill offered. That's what Joe and nearly 1 million Black World War II veterans faced. Their families were left behind economically while white veterans were scooping up degrees and homes. It's like they were trying to win a race with invisible sneakers.

Years later, we see the effects. Black families have less wealth than white families, over 8 times less, in fact. This isn't just about money, it's about health too. Good homes mean good neighborhoods, good schools, and better healthcare, all things Black veterans were often denied.

It's not fair, and it's time to make it right. There's a proposal in Congress called the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act. It's a start, and it could lead to big changes. Changes that would help right the wrongs of the past and make sure every veteran gets their just rewards.

The Silent Exclusion of Black WWII Heroes

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