Analysis of History of Black Relations in the Armed Force

All That We Can Be, Black Leadership & Racial Integration The Army Way

Book Review

Kennedy Evers

POLS 131 -01

Dr. Heidi Urben

November 9, 2021
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Charles C. Moskos and John Sibley Butlers’ All That We Can Be, Black Leadership and

Racial Integration the Army Way, highlights the success rate of racial integration in the Army, in

addition to explaining how other institutions should take note from the Army in terms of

eliminating segregation and racial tension. The book begins by displaying the integration of

black and white privates to discussing past racial discrepancies of the army, and lastly exhibiting

the army of today through lessons about the power of coming together as a unit. Moskos and

Butler illustrate the US army in an overall positive sense in regards to racial connections; never

failing to also depict the anti - black sentiments shown throughout the history of the Army . An

imperative factor readers should conclude is the account of the army romanticizing the institution

to acquire the service of Afro - Americans , by doing so they simultaneously uphold the idea that

representation of Afro- Americans represents true liberty in the army. Fundamentally, the army

portrays the idea of strong racial relations and integration, however years of using incentives for

the Afro- American community to serve unveils the lack of genuine equality that lies on the

underbelly of the institution.

Before analyzing the record of the army not providing true liberation for the Black

community, it is important to pose the following question(s): What is authentic equality and what

does it look like? The answer to these questions is simple and frank. Authentic equality is

equality on all bases (economic, social, civil etc.); one that comes without reward, but rather for

the betterment of mankind. As far as the illustration of authentic equality, it presents itself as a

right not a privilege, this component is what the Army fails to acknowledge in regards to the way

the force is displayed to potential Afro - American recruits. Dating back to 1715, the war with

the Yamassses, slaves were provided freedom, and the right to bear arms in turn for their service.
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Less than 100 years after being brought to the US, the same people who were robbed of their

culture and human rights are given the opportunity of “freedom”. Though not the first nor last

time Afro - Americans would be lured into serving through use of rewards, this event illustrates

how the institution began to build their background of Afro - American recruitment through use

of reimbursements. An interesting point to note, is that Black people were not encouraged to

serve until it was absolutely needed. The book expresses how fear of giving slaves the right to

bear arms among other incentives for their service would cause a slave rebellion.2 In addition to

the fear of slave rebellion, after the British were defeated in the Revolutionary War, black people

were no longer included in military services.3Further supporting the idea that the basis of Black

service culture is not built around providing liberation, but rather what they can do for the

institution. During this debut of Afro - American being included in the military those in power

show to be in favor of Black service when it is needed or beneficial to the country, however

when not needed they are not valued. Essentially, the foundation of the army concerning Black

service was constructed around using rewards to gain recruits, then disposing of them when they

are no longer needed. This element results in the authentic equality stated above not being

present throughout the institution.

From the standpoint of Moskos and Butler, the benefits provided by the military have

been beneficial for the Black community. The book recognizes that throughout history the

military has provided a source of a stable family life for black America. 4 Though the

1
Charles C. Moskos & John Sibley Butler, All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial Integration The Army
Way (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1996.) , 17
2
Charles C. Moskos & John Sibley Butler, All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial Integration The Army
Way (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1996.) , 17
3
Charles C. Moskos & John Sibley Butler, All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial Integration The Army
Way (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1996.) , 20
4
Charles C. Moskos & John Sibley Butler, All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial Integration The Army
Way (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1996., 37
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opportunities to through serving have been effective to many Black lives, the point of lack of

genuine equality still stands. When asked how important GI benefits were in the decision of

enlistment, more than half of Afro - American soldiers marked important or very important

compared to the thirty two percent of their white peers.5 With a vast majority of the Black

community being found to lack the GI benefits without their enlistment, there is no question why

the GI benefits are an important factor of enlistment. GI benefits are responsible for a huge

reason the army is romanticized.Army recruiters draw both white and black individuals from

lower income communities, portraying the idea that the Army is one's way of making it out. 6For

one's service, they are given free education and a stipend that covers books and supplies .

Benefits are not used exclusively as a way to give Afro - Americans to enlist, but everyone. The

difference however is that the Army uses benefits as a huge way to appeal to Black recruits

though when Black recruits are enlisted they are still less likely to be placed in higher ranks and

hold top leadership positions. Black recruits enlisting due to the army presenting themselves as a

place of opportunity and outlet for Afro - Americans to thrive, yet still lacking Black leadership

comes off as performative. If Black people are not excelling at the same rate as their white

counterparts assuming that they both come from similar circumstances, then is genuine equality

really being exhibited? Another imperative point to note is the push for diversity throughout the

military. Prioritizing diversity throughout the institution, but not at higher ranks does not

represent equality as well. Ultimately, the army of today does an excellent job of making the

army appear as a great opportunity, never failing to acknowledge the amount of opportunities it

has the ability to provide, however only one demographic of people is found to exceed in the

5
Charles C. Moskos & John Sibley Butler, All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial Integration The Army
Way (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1996.) 34
6
Charles C. Moskos & John Sibley Butler, All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial Integration The Army
Way (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1996.) 34
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same institution that upholds itself on the principle of equality. The parallels of before Afro -

Americans were freed until today show that authentic equality is still not maintained as well as

the lack of value in regards to Black service members.

The book All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial Integration The Army Way

sheds a positive light on racial relationships throughout the Army, despite the positive display of

the army one can not recognize only the effective parts of the institution when there is indeed

another side not shown. Though not the exact goal of the book, the inequality presented

throughout the army is still on full display. One is able to notice the bases of which anti -black

sentiments the military is built around and see how it is still present in the military of today. The

Armed Forces continue to use their incentives to appeal to Afro - Americans, yet when enlisted

they do not excel at the same rate as their peers. The work of the military and the work for

integration and liberation does not go unnoticed, however the institution can not move forward

and be the safe place for equality if it is not authentic on all levels.
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Bibliography:

Charles C. Moskos & John Sibley Butler, All That We Can Be Black Leadership and Racial
Integration The Army Way (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1996.)