Harlem Hellfighters Max Brooks Analysis

1531 Words4 Pages

Deyssi Galvez Period: 2 Mr. Ferguson 06/08 /2024 The effects on government control When the government exercises excessive control, it can break away people’s freedoms.Often, the government’s actions prioritize the well-being of American citizens while neglecting the rights of other groups living in the country. This essay will explore the effects of government control, particularly during the periods around WWI and WWII. In “The Harlem Hellfighters” by Max Brooks, we learn about the African American units that face tremendous discrimination, even from their own government. These soldiers, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters by Germans, fought courageously on and off the battlefield to uphold democracy in Europe and America. Similarly, “They …show more content…

During WWI and WWII, this control reached its pinnacle, affecting communities in ways that were often explicitly discriminatory and reprehensible. The vociferous demands for national security and unity led to the corrosive effects of fear mongering and racism, which were exemplary in the cases of the Harlem Hellfighters and Japanese Americans. In “The Harlem Hellfighters,” the government's action led to a discrepancy between the treatment of black and white soldiers. This contentious issue is brought to light through the deft use of characterization and imagery. The stately demeanor of the soldiers, contrasted with the truculent attitudes they faced from their own government, shows the animosity and discrimination that chastised their efforts and sacrifices. Similarly, “They Called Us Enemy” allocated a commodious space to explore the devastating impact on Japanese American families. The emaciated conditions in the camps, symbolized by barbed wire fences and guard towers, serve as a palatable reminder of the reprehensible actions of the government. Takei’s clairvoyant narrative alludes to the emotional and psychological toll of this experience, fathoming the depth of injustice and betrayal felt by the internees. The government’s failure to amend its ways and the discrepancy between its ideals and actions are discernible in both works. The soldiers of the Harlem Hellfighters and the Japanese American internees were forced to acquiesce to unjust policies, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and just society. Their stories of resilience and perseverance serve as solace and an inkling of hope that the American Dream can be reclaimed and refined. Ultimately, the narratives in “The Harlem Hellfighters” and “They Called Us Enemy” implicate the government in a contentious deviation from its principles, showcasing the

Open Document