For generations, African Americans have served in the U.S. military, inspired by a desire to defend their nation and seek opportunities. However, upon their return, these veterans often faced brutal violence, discrimination, and even death because of their military status. The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has documented at least 35 Black veterans who were victims of racial terror lynching from 1865 to 1950.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, white supremacy and racial hierarchies dominated U.S. society. Many white Americans feared that Black soldiers, emboldened by their military service, would challenge systemic racism and demand equality. In 1917, Senator James Vardaman of Mississippi openly expressed such fears, stating that allowing Black soldiers to view themselves as heroes would lead them to expect political rights, a prospect he considered disastrous.
This fear translated into violence. Black veterans, seen as potential leaders of a civil rights movement, became targets of white aggression. Icons like Hosea Williams and Medgar Evers, who transitioned from military service to civil rights activism, exemplified the leadership many sought to suppress.
