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| gleijeses_african_americans_and_the_war_against_spain [2026/03/17 22:07] – ccochra2 | gleijeses_african_americans_and_the_war_against_spain [2026/03/20 23:45] (current) – jjardine |
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| In this reading, there is a consistent theme of black men feeling torn between to choice of fighting for the nation that did not protect them with the possibility of gaining recognition and perhaps a better standing in society as a result, or refusing to join as a show of protest. Points were brought up by black newspapers like the "Freeman" by showing the hypocrisy of white Americans supporting "Cuba Libre" while black people were losing their voting rights. However, other black publications like the "Colored American" took a different approach by trying to show that black men were willing to fight in the same that white men were, hoping it would curie favor. (Henry Prior) | In this reading, there is a consistent theme of black men feeling torn between to choice of fighting for the nation that did not protect them with the possibility of gaining recognition and perhaps a better standing in society as a result, or refusing to join as a show of protest. Points were brought up by black newspapers like the "Freeman" by showing the hypocrisy of white Americans supporting "Cuba Libre" while black people were losing their voting rights. However, other black publications like the "Colored American" took a different approach by trying to show that black men were willing to fight in the same that white men were, hoping it would curie favor. (Henry Prior) |
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| | During the late 1800’s African Americans experienced oppression in many forms, some of which were more violent than others. African Americans faced disfranchisement as well as racial segregation through the enforcement of southern laws that took away their rights and allowed labor systems that use forced labor to continue. During the war, African Americans were met with the dilemma of supporting a country that denies them equality in hopes of gaining respect, or resisting their injustices by refusing to contribute to the war efforts. Most African Americans chose to serve in the war for its potential benefits, however, these soldiers still faced limited opportunities, segregation, and discrimination. (Reiley Gibson) |
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| Another theme in this reading is how black news publications chose to back and smear candidates depending on how willing they were to speak out and defend the venerable black population in the south. When William McKinley did not address voter intimidation aimed at black voters and defend them even as a loyal voting base, the "Colored American." a black publication, shamed the president for not speaking out or even offering words of sorrow. This was contrast from how earlier publicans like this one had directed full praise towards the president as the war against Spain began. (Henry Prior) | Another theme in this reading is how black news publications chose to back and smear candidates depending on how willing they were to speak out and defend the venerable black population in the south. When William McKinley did not address voter intimidation aimed at black voters and defend them even as a loyal voting base, the "Colored American." a black publication, shamed the president for not speaking out or even offering words of sorrow. This was contrast from how earlier publicans like this one had directed full praise towards the president as the war against Spain began. (Henry Prior) |
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| During the Spanish American war, African American's faced a serious dilema over what side they would take and what it meant for their patriotism and masculinity. For many African American's, this war was a way to prove their patriotism, though it was proving their patriotis, to a country that has shown them nothing but disrespect, violence, and hostility. However, in many of their minds, this war was a way have an equal claim to manhood through military service. They would often experience exclusion and oppression within the military, which stopped the, from being able to achieve their political goals. After the war moved into the Phillipeans, black troops began realizing the white supremacy in these transnational politics. Their support for the war started disolving as desertion rated for black soldiers started climbing. This highlihted the irony of the US claiming to be fighting for the freedom of Cube, while simultaneously perpetuating a society where oppression is still rampant. -Caroline Cochran | During the Spanish American war, African American's faced a serious dilema over what side they would take and what it meant for their patriotism and masculinity. For many African American's, this war was a way to prove their patriotism, though it was proving their patriotis, to a country that has shown them nothing but disrespect, violence, and hostility. However, in many of their minds, this war was a way have an equal claim to manhood through military service. They would often experience exclusion and oppression within the military, which stopped the, from being able to achieve their political goals. After the war moved into the Phillipeans, black troops began realizing the white supremacy in these transnational politics. Their support for the war started disolving as desertion rated for black soldiers started climbing. This highlihted the irony of the US claiming to be fighting for the freedom of Cube, while simultaneously perpetuating a society where oppression is still rampant. -Caroline Cochran |
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| | Gleijeses' analysis of African American reactions to the Spanish American War not only serves to demonstrate the social rift between the greater African American community and it's country, but also how the policies and actions of it's nation were viewed in it's eyes. This becomes greater expanded upon through discussions of American Imperialism in The Philippines and Cuba. At a time where the United States sought to expand it's influence and supposedly better the nation, many African Americans who were suffering due to the state of the nation were skeptical about whether or not the serving the nation would serve their community. ( J.D.J.) |
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| | Piero Gleijeses brought the discussion of how African American's dealt with the reaction of the Spanish-American War and how they dealt with being both the oppressed and the oppressor when it came to the impacts of the War in the Philippines and other "liberated" Spanish territories. This allows for the cycle of oppression to continue, where the African Americans were on the higher point of the cycle to help and aide the Anglo-American ideals of their racial superiority to be forced onto other non-white communities. (sage Milton) |
