Black Americans on Iwo...

[chernmax]

I think the reason that there weren't any blacks in the movie is because it was filmed in Greenland or Iceland (I forget which) and they used locals for all the extras...I'm thinking there are not many blacks there. So, I don't think it has anything to do with racism and a whole lot more to do with logistics.

They could have bused some in!!!

 

[Larry Gude]

Really?

The civil war was more about State's right instead of individual's rights. Lincoln freed the slaves in only the states that had suceeded from the union.

Why do you think that?

No slavery = no civil war.

 

[itsbob]

OK, WWII, I wasn't there so i don't know BUT during WWII weren't there still segregated units.. all white units, and all black units.. and in the Navy/ Marines the blacks were generally relegated to menial jobs.. like cooks and stewards? I'm not saying they weren't there, and not saying some didn't give their lives, but I don't know the history to say how many were there in comparison, or how many gave their lives.

What are the chances if you were a combat photographer taking pictures on the beaches of Iwo that you would capture a black person in frame?

So racism or no, if that's the way it was back then, that's the way it should be conveyed in an accurate movie..

 

[Bustem' Down]

OK, WWII, I wasn't there so i don't know BUT during WWII weren't there still segregated units.. all white units, and all black units.. and in the Navy/ Marines the blacks were generally relegated to menial jobs.. like cooks and stewards? I'm not saying they weren't there, and not saying some didn't give their lives, but I don't know the history to say how many were there in comparison, or how many gave their lives.

What are the chances if you were a combat photographer taking pictures on the beaches of Iwo that you would capture a black person in frame?

So racism or no, if that's the way it was back then, that's the way it should be conveyed in an accurate movie..

Well, have you seen Band of Brothers? How many black guys were in that one. Or Saving private Ryan for that matter. Yes, there still were segregated units in WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen for example.

 

[vraiblonde]

They could have bused some in!!!

Okay, that was funny and I started to give you karma, then realized it would be worthless because you've got it turned off

Anyway, Bob, I haven't seen the movie so not sure what scenes are depicted. If it's shot with all officers and their environment, you're right - blacks wouldn't necessarily be present. But if they're showing white soldiers manning the chow line, or doing the general support work that blacks did in WWII, then the movie is historically inaccurate and you have to wonder what Eastwood was thinking.

 

[chernmax]

Okay, that was funny and I started to give you karma, then realized it would be worthless because you've got it turned off

Anyway, Bob, I haven't seen the movie so not sure what scenes are depicted. If it's shot with all officers and their environment, you're right - blacks wouldn't necessarily be present. But if they're showing white soldiers manning the chow line, or doing the general support work that blacks did in WWII, then the movie is historically inaccurate and you have to wonder what Eastwood was thinking.

Clint was thinking he was going to Make our Day!!!

 

[Lenny]

Clint was thinking he was going to Make our Day!!!

Didn't Clint NOT shoot the Black guy but DID shoot the White guy after the "Do you feel lucky, punk?" question?

 

[chernmax]

Didn't Clint NOT shoot the Black guy but DID shoot the White guy after the "Do you feel lucky, punk?" question?

Yeah, the black guy folded so Clint gave him another day, the White dude got owned!!!

 

[Larry Gude]

Yes but...

Well, have you seen Band of Brothers? How many black guys were in that one. Or Saving private Ryan for that matter. Yes, there still were segregated units in WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen for example.

...blacks were prohibited from serving in many units including PIR (airborne) and most, if I recall, combat units.

 

[itsbob]

...blacks were prohibited from serving in many units including PIR (airborne) and most, if I recall, combat units.

Which would include being a cook or supply clerk in those same units ..

Similar to women in the 80's.. You could be a female supply clerk, cook, or mechanic in the Army, but you couldn't be a supply clerk, cook or mechanic in particular units.. No females allowed in "front line" units.

 

[chernmax]

Which would include being a cook or supply clerk in those same units ..

Similar to women in the 80's.. You could be a female supply clerk, cook, or mechanic in the Army, but you couldn't be a supply clerk, cook or mechanic in particular units.. No females allowed in "front line" units.

Those days are pretty much gone now!!!

 

[Bustem' Down]

Those days are pretty much gone now!!!

Subs are still safe. I don't mind a girl on a ship. Frankly some of them work more than most of the guys.

 

[itsbob]

Those days are pretty much gone now!!!

Not to certain about today, but up to 2000 it was somewhat the same. Females couldn't be a part of forward deployed units...... You could be a supply clerk, or medic in the 3rd Inf Division (3ID) for example, but not in the the 1/30th Inf Bn (3ID), or any of the infantry companies within the Bn.. but if you went to Brigade or Division you'd see females doing all kinds of jobs.. BUT they could be in a Combat MP unit.. figure that out!!

 

[ylexot]

Well, have you seen Band of Brothers? How many black guys were in that one. Or Saving private Ryan for that matter.

To tell you the truth...I have no friggin' clue. I don't see race unless it is shoved down my throat...i.e. Pearl Harbor when Cuba Gooding Jr's character was completely useless to the plot of the movie and was specifically there to scream "LOOK! BLACK PEOPLE!" and to use up a few more minutes of film.

 

[Ken King]

There were African-American Marines at Iwo Jima, specifically the 8th Marine Ammunition Company and the 33d, 34th, and 36th Marine Depot Companies. While not on the "front lines" they did indeed come under fire and were under the initial landing. Here is a site that has some information on the endeavor. http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/pcn-190-003132-00/sec10.htm

 

[itsbob]

There were African-American Marines at Iwo Jima, specifically the 8th Marine Ammunition Company and the 33d, 34th, and 36th Marine Depot Companies. While not on the "front lines" they did indeed come under fire and were under the initial landing. Here is a site that has some information on the endeavor. http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/pcn-190-003132-00/sec10.htm

WHich was my point.. if you were on the front lines, in the trenches with a camera, the chances are your footage would be awful white, unless you just HAPPEN to catch an ammo bearer coming through the shot.....

So if you make a movie about the battle of Iwo Jima, to be historicaly correct, you wouldn't have a black marine sharing a foxhole with a white marine.. or intermingled in any way expcept as mentioned above.

SO if the movie has no blacks in it, it's not racism, it's historically correct and hasn't been PC'd!!

 

[dustin]

Subs are still safe. I don't mind a girl on a ship. Frankly some of them work more than most of the guys.

:fanroom:

 

[dustin]

To tell you the truth...I have no friggin' clue. I don't see race unless it is shoved down my throat...i.e. Pearl Harbor when Cuba Gooding Jr's character was completely useless to the plot of the movie and was specifically there to scream "LOOK! BLACK PEOPLE!" and to use up a few more minutes of film.

the same sailor character was shown in "Tora, Tora, Tora"...

Ship's Cook Third Class Doris Miller, USN. He received the Navy Cross.

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq57-4.htm