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They Weren'T Wanted

World wars 1 and 2
The wars to end all wars
But for some, they couldn't fight for the country 
Because of the color of their skin 

They weren't wanted 

Even though they could enlist 
Segregation ran rampant 
Treated like second class citizens 
Not afforded the respect of soldiers 

Or as men 

Eugene Bullard 

A pilot, not a just a negro pilot
Not wanted by his country, he flew for France 
Nicknamed "Black Swallow of Death"
He did for them what he couldn't do for us 

Fight for a country 

The Tuskegee Airman 

The 99th pursuit squadron 
First African American unit deployed 
The best and the brightest
The red tailed angels 

Spit Fire! 

The 369th Harlem Hellfighters 

Racism at its worst, Blacks wanted to fight 
But turned away 
But as with the Airmen 
They too proved their courage under fire 

The 761st Tank battalion 

Patton's panthers 
"Don't let your people down 
Hell, don't let me down"
The point of the spear
Sgt Ruben Rogers, Medal of Honor 

Fighting the war on 2 fronts
On the battlefield 
And at home 
No matter what was done 

They still weren't wanted 

(c)kingpen2021

Copyright © Anthony Arnold

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Book: Shattered Sighs