ANN J. LANE
Upon leaving the Presidency Theodore Roosevelt wrote a thoroughly enjoyable, well written Autobiography. The text gives a gleaming glow and presentation of the man, except
Roosevelt failed to mention the incident at Brownsville, Texas, 1906. Newly arrived companies of African-American soldiers were accused of shooting up the town, and killing a bartender. It did not matter no one could identify who the shooters were, or that witnesses failed to see or identify the shooters/rioters. It did not matter that those companies of soldiers did not have access to weapons on their base. None had revolvers. Rifles were locked up.
Roosevelt discharged, without honor, all the newly arrived African American soldiers despite knowing of these facts supporting non-participation by these soldiers.
The Brownsville Affair should be read along side of Roosevelt’s Autobiography to determine how rashly, imperial, erratic, and simple-minded that President was. Roosevelt had not been educated to understand the rules of evidence: What is proven; what is not proven. Instead, he accepted myths, fantasies, fancies and fears of Texas white people about those soldiers. He supported the conventional wisdoms common amongst all whites. Suspicions of assaults, rape, discourtesies, proud men seeking social equality and sneakiness and deception: Keys to guns were left untended and obviously the soldiers had access and used the rifles, although there was not time to do everything. All whites knew the soldiers were quick-change artists, like actors. They could be in two places at once.
Roosevelt did not, but should have, asked himself, What would Abraham Lincoln do? Lincoln would have required evidence, not guesses, speculation and fantasy, and Lincoln would have known the prejudices and Southern hatred for African-American soldiers would sully truth.
The Brownsville Affair has been a guide for racially-related incidents since 1906. Take George Floyd’s murder. Chauvin the cop said he was threatened by the bystanders on the curb, pleading that Chauvin get off Floyd’s neck. How was Chauvin threatened? Some of the bystanders were African Americans. Some of the bystanders were taking photos and making film. Some were asking questions. Some were reporting the incident to the police department. BUT without the cameras and film and the audio, would that trial have turned out the same way?
It is disappointing to read of an incident in 1906, and realize the similar or same language and prejudices are within America and Americans today. It is time to change. If no one believes it, read, The Brownsville Affair.
muymue 