Racism In Vietnam War Essay

“They had to protect themselves not only from Viet Cong guerrillas, but also from racist abuse, both verbal and physical, within their own ranks.” (Chao 1). During the Vietnam War, racism was at its peak, before it became made illegal and no longer publicly practiced. African Americans comprised a large number of the troops, and racism became a huge theme of the war, for the soldiers and for those back at home, for several reasons. Whites had been given privileges, whilst blacks got punished for nearly everything they did. Mistreated blacks did not receive the rights that they fought for and dying for in the Vietnam war, instead getting racism and slurs thrown at them. White men received priority over all other races during the Vietnam war.

about racism when the soldiers fought. Protests began in the U.S. because blacks fought in a war because of ideas they did not get permission to follow; freedom and equality. The war started to defend democracy, and blacks hoped to receive said democracy they defended when they got home. Vietnam escalated and increased racism. According to Brendan Gallagher, “Blacks were denied most rights when they returned home, even as veterans.” (Gallagher 2). White americans turned their backs on their own veterans that defended them during the war because of their skin color. This caused upset from black veterans and

Asian Americans faced discrimination, including getting beat up, getting called names, getting shot. According to SFGate, “At Ford Ord, troop leaders had Asian infantry dress up in Vietcong clothing to show other recruits what the enemy looked like. The infantry were not happy and most refused.” (Chao 2). Their own American troop leaders thought of them as enemies and not allies. “The soldiers once left a man, David Oshiro, lying bleeding out, and nearly left him to die if he didn’t take out his dog tag and shout, ‘I’m an American.’” (Chao