Out of the Shadows seeks to guide students to an understanding of the experiences of underrepresented groups of servicemen and servicewomen. In particular, the focus is placed on underrepresented groups of Korean War Veterans, including Hispanics, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and women. Listening to the voices of select veterans, students will gain new knowledge related to the history of discrimination in American society – particularly in the U.S. military. Students will observe change over time and offer analysis by considering prior knowledge of racial inequalities in the United States.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
How did service in the Korean War shape views of discrimination?
Staging Question
Listen to Dealing with Racist Patients and Prisoners of War and read the transcript of Oneida Miller-Stuart’s experiences as a U.S. Army Nurse during World War II.
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Supporting QuestionWhat historical examples exist that reflect integration and segregation among servicemen/women?
Formative TasksIdentify and describe examples of integration and segregation in major wars in the United States.
SourcesSource A: Robert Gould Shaw Memorial
Source B: Executive Order 9981, Desegregating the Military
Source C: African American Service and Racial Integration in the U.S. Military
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Supporting QuestionIn what ways did service in segregated and integrated units contribute to servicemen/women’s views of discrimination?
Formative TasksUsing a Venn Diagram, analyze Korean War veteran interviews to determine similarities and differences in their experiences.
SourcesSource A: John Gragg*
Source B: Diana Kathleen Cattani
Source C: Rudolph Valentine Archer
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Supporting QuestionHow did Korean War veterans from underrepresented groups describe their service experiences related to discrimination?
Formative TasksDevelop a thesis statement (claim) that is descriptive of the experiences of discrimination of Korean War veterans.
SourcesSource A: Roy Orville Hawthorne
Source B: Willard Maktima
Source C: Beverly Lawrence Dunjill
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Did service in the Korean War shape views of discrimination? Write a classical argument essay that supports or refutes the notion that service in the Korean War shaped views of discrimination.
Extension: Analyze demographic data of the United States armed forces for 2017–2022.
Taking Informed Action
Understand: Students can contribute to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project by interviewing veterans in their community, particularly veterans from underrepresented groups.
Assess:
Act: In addition, we encourage students to add a veteran profile to The 22, a Korean War veteran registry of the Korean War Legacy Foundation.