"Britain's Black Regiments: Fighting for Empire and Equality" Topic

"In three global conflicts and countless colonial campaigns, tens of thousands of black West Indian soldiers fought and died for Britain, first as slaves and then as volunteers. These all but forgotten regiments were unique because they were part of the British Army rather than colonial formations. All were stepchild units, despised by an army that was loath to number black soldiers in its ranks, and yet unable to do without them; their courage, endurance and loyalty were repaid with bigotry and abuse…"

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Amicalement
Armand

It is not like tens of thousands of white colonials didn't fight and die in Britain's wars either.

A lot of these books are written from the perspective that the existence of say, black colonial troops, is some new revelation. Virtually nothing that is revealed these days about colonial history is anything I didn't already know about, at least in a cursory way, forty or fifty years ago.

I will propose a different perspective Brian.

Starting with the Bicentennial there has been a push make the AWI a more inclusive event. Greater attention has been paid to the role individual African Americans, certain nations of Native Americans and more recently the Spanish played in helping the United States win its independence. Being a believer in telling the whole story I support this.

Buried in this has been the fact that many other African Americans either actively fought against the American rebels or sought to escape slavery by fleeing to British lines. Many more Native American nations waged war against the American rebels than supported them. The Spanish fought as a co-belligerent rather than as an ally of the United States. This information is out there, but it doesn't receive the same play.

"A lot of these books" Could i ask,which books you are thinking of in particular?

Strange.
In my younger days Polish Americans were encouraged to be proud of Pulaski and Kosciusko.
Italian Americans were encouraged to be proud of Columbus and Verrazano.
Irish Americans were encouraged to be proud of the Carrolls of Carrollton, Tim Murphy, Irish Brigades and regiments…

So, why is it suddenly an issue with some when African Americans in history are discussed?
Crispus Attics became popular 20 or 30 years ago.
Why the long faces?
Heck. Wasn't Osprey #1 the Loyalists, with the Pioneers?

+1

I am not sure who you are addressing John.

"Wargamer's Lives Matter"

"Wargamer's Lives Matter"

Black Lives Matter.

See, fixed that for you "7th Va Cavalry". You're very welcome!

Oh, and John the OFM –

+1 to both of your posts.