Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(137,640 posts)
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 07:21 PM Sunday

After uproar, Air Force says recruits will again be taught about Tuskegee Airmen

*The head of the service's San Antonio-based training command said a video about the famed Black aviators would remain in the Air Force basic training curriculum. The course had been shut down in response to President Trump's DEI ban.

The Air Force said Sunday that videos about the famed Tuskegee Airmen and a unit of pioneering female aviators would be restored to the basic training curriculum for new recruits beginning Monday.

A course that included the videos was shut down last week so officials could review it to make sure it complied with President Trump's executive order ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, an Air Force official said. "DEI material" not permitted under Trump's order was removed from the course, but the historical videos will remain, the official said.'


23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
After uproar, Air Force says recruits will again be taught about Tuskegee Airmen (Original Post) elleng Sunday OP
Every little bit helps orangecrush Sunday #1
Yes indeedy! calimary Sunday #17
One would think the person teaching the course would have handled this. Hope22 Sunday #2
"War" in the U.S. is historically slightlv Sunday #11
True words and there will always be people pulling to protect the history and valor of our heros. Hope22 Sunday #20
Im glad the videos will remain thinkingagain Sunday #3
Sanity prevailed? Amazing. Evolve Dammit Sunday #4
Clown show Prairie Gates Sunday #5
Great! Tuskegee Airman Inc 1 💕 Cha Sunday #6
whoever made that shit decision to begin with (so willing to quickly jump into donald trump's pants and blow him) orleans Sunday #7
I don't know the specifics of the women aviators jeffreyi Sunday #8
I knew a lady from church who had trained pilots Ilsa Sunday #14
Yes, the WASPs. Women Airforce Service Pilots. niyad Sunday #22
Uproar! Lulu KC Sunday #9
Abso-freakin'-lutely! calimary Sunday #18
Ut oh. Sounds like "mutiny" !!! Jack Valentino Sunday #10
Lesson learned: make an uproar Hekate Sunday #12
Confusing... J_William_Ryan Sunday #13
the idea anyone thought that would fly (hey is that a pun?) Skittles Sunday #15
Trump and his cult still believe in removing such material, but public relations overcame their bigotry. Norrrm Sunday #16
This message was self-deleted by its author wolfie001 Sunday #19
Now somebody needs to kick the goddamned AFA where it hurts for niyad Sunday #21
U.S. Air Force resumes teaching about Tuskegee Airmen and WASP following outcry over DEI review LetMyPeopleVote Monday #23

calimary

(85,035 posts)
17. Yes indeedy!
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 09:49 PM
Sunday

NOTHING gets accomplished or approved or IMPROVED unless we get out 'n' push! Nobody's gonna do it for us.

I am NOT okay with this shit that we now see from the yellow-haired sap-spitter. And I'm gonna make use of my Indivisible group's weekly Call to Action email to help educate our readers about him and his ever-expanding list of lies and misdeeds.

We don't get ANYWHERE, or accomplish ANYTHING, by staying silent.

Hope22

(3,385 posts)
2. One would think the person teaching the course would have handled this.
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 07:28 PM
Sunday

Instead everyone else has to get emotionally involved to get the job done. It’s either important or it just doesn’t matter to them.

slightlv

(4,668 posts)
11. "War" in the U.S. is historically
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 09:05 PM
Sunday

deemed to be a white man warrior culture. Everything else has to be erased. They want to erase all of us who are not white, male, christian warriors for christ. (no capitalizations on purpose!).

My mother-in-law served in WWII (and not as a nurse)... she was also an oil wildcatter once the war was over with.

I served in the Air Force during Viet Nam.

They will not erase us!

Hope22

(3,385 posts)
20. True words and there will always be people pulling to protect the history and valor of our heros.
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 10:05 PM
Sunday

In addition to the erasure attempt is the time every concerned person spends protesting, calling and speaking out against when instead all of us could be working on ways to move forward together. This president is a one person wrecking ball and he has kept us distracted and distraught since the beginning of the birther bull! Desperate for relief from continual manipulation.

thinkingagain

(1,140 posts)
3. Im glad the videos will remain
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 07:52 PM
Sunday

Tuskegee airmen were long before any DEI thing came in effect. They are part of the history of the Air Force.
Someone someone tries to say they were moving it because the DEI has nothing to do with the DEI

orleans

(35,512 posts)
7. whoever made that shit decision to begin with (so willing to quickly jump into donald trump's pants and blow him)
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 08:18 PM
Sunday

should not walk away from this without consequences. it should, at least, be a mark on his (i'm assuming "his" ) record or whatever the fuck the air force does to wrist slap or make some douche go sit on the naughty bench

jeffreyi

(2,136 posts)
8. I don't know the specifics of the women aviators
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 08:20 PM
Sunday

But if it's the Women's Air Force....a pox on them for eliminating it. My aunt was one of the pilots. After the war, they were treated like s**t. No veteran's benefits, no recognition. Shame.

Ilsa

(62,416 posts)
14. I knew a lady from church who had trained pilots
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 09:32 PM
Sunday

during WW2. I don't know anything about her post-service status or decorations.

Jack Valentino

(1,603 posts)
10. Ut oh. Sounds like "mutiny" !!!
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 08:53 PM
Sunday

Think our country needs to cancel that "DEI" program for felons in the presidential elections....

J_William_Ryan

(2,374 posts)
13. Confusing...
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 09:23 PM
Sunday

It seems the DEI program was ended, but videos about the Tuskegee Airmen will still be available.

‘The course was shut down last week so officials could review it to make sure it complied with President Donald Trump's executive order ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, an Air Force official said. "DEI material" not permitted under Trump's order was removed from the course, but the historical videos will remain, the official said.’

https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/tuskegee-airmen-video-air-force-changes-course-20057246.php

Skittles

(161,204 posts)
15. the idea anyone thought that would fly (hey is that a pun?)
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 09:46 PM
Sunday

this ridiculous whitewashing of history needs to be challenged on every level, FUCK THIS NONSENSE

Norrrm

(114 posts)
16. Trump and his cult still believe in removing such material, but public relations overcame their bigotry.
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 09:46 PM
Sunday

They will still keep trying.

Response to elleng (Original post)

niyad

(121,583 posts)
21. Now somebody needs to kick the goddamned AFA where it hurts for
Sun Jan 26, 2025, 10:17 PM
Sunday

pulling the same shit, and they have not backed down yet. Frankly, I hope that my original Tuskegee Airman friend who is buried on AFA grounds haunts their asses.

LetMyPeopleVote

(157,107 posts)
23. U.S. Air Force resumes teaching about Tuskegee Airmen and WASP following outcry over DEI review
Mon Jan 27, 2025, 12:15 AM
Monday
https://bsky.app/profile/wordswithsteph.bsky.social/post/3lgovdnfvg22n


https://www.tpr.org/military-veterans-issues/2025-01-26/u-s-air-force-resumes-teaching-about-tuskegee-airmen-and-wasp-following-outcry-over-dei-review

SAN ANTONIO — The U.S. Air Force will resume teaching about the nation's first Black pilots, and the women pilots of World War II.

The Air Force paused that part of its basic training curriculum last week pending a review of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies.

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued executive orders prohibiting DEI in federal government agencies and the military. Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised to make that a top priority.

By the end of the week, The San Antonio Express News first reported that videos about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots — or WASP — were not being taught in basic training at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland......

In a statement, Lt. General Brian Robinson said that one group of trainees had missed this part of the curriculum due to the review, but no trainees will miss this block of instruction.

For years, conservatives have attacked DEI policies as being reverse discrimination. Historians point to the legacies of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP as examples of how diversity has made the U.S. military and the country stronger.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»After uproar, Air Force s...