Racism

Racism

Just as racial strife was a problem for stateside civilians in the 60’s, it was a problem for many in Vietnam. One of the many myths Hollywood has perpetuated about the War in Vietnam is the one about the war being run by a bunch of bumbling white officers with the only voice of sanity being a lowly black sergeant trying to save his men from their stupidity. In my experience, the opposite was more apt to be true. A disproportionate number of Staff NCOs were blacks who, due to lack of education and civilian skills, had made the Marine Corps a career choice. Many could barely read and were not even able to communicate in comprehendible English. There was a lot of resentment among junior enlisted men at having to answer to Staff NCOs with a fraction of the education they had. Resentment grew on both sides and for many, the biggest threat for their safety was not a little man lurking in the jungle but the guy in the bunk next to him.