MovieChat Forums > Hart's War (2002) Discussion > Nazi Racism vs. American Racist Ideology

Nazi Racism vs. American Racist Ideology

posted 9 years ago by tmustafa
3 replies | jump to latest

I find it interesting that many of the US WWII news reels and propaganda films were highly critical of Nazism (and rightly so), yet were completely oblivious towards our own racism. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to view the on-screen enactments involving a comparison between the two ideologies and treatment between the Colonel and Warden. More so, that the German Colonel was of greater assistance, perhaps even emphasized with the African-American American Lieutenant.

Jesse Owens' wife and daughter, along with other African-American 1936 Olympians, were filmed during a documentary regarding Germany's hosting of the Olympics. During said interview, the interviewed stated that they were treated far better among the Germans than their own countrymen. Owens' wife stated that Hitler even personally congratulated him following his victories. Yet, our own President did not so much as acknowledge him.

As an African-American male who is a veteran, and traveled to more than 20 countries, I can issue a personal attestation that treatment towards African-Americans sharply contrasts to our treatment domestically.

It is extraordinary, not only that African-Americans have fought in EVERY American military conflict, proceeding the Revolutionary War (afterwards they were rewarded with being enslaved for generations), to our present. African-Americans even fought in wars when the "cause" was to provide liberty and freedom to other people in distant lands. Freedoms which were denied to them, and fought against enemies that were able to sympathetize in their struggles to obtain even the most fundamental elements of civil and human rights.

[–] HOKfilms 8 years ago

I dont like your comment "and rightfully so"

Do a little research on WW2 and Nazi Germany. You'll be quite surprised as to what you find. Jesse Owens' comments are quite telling of how things aren't what you think.

[–] chrissso 7 years ago

You make many interesting and accurate points. This film highlights perhaps the most ironic issue of WW2.

But your eloquent statement does not take into consideration the most important point ... the US was moving away from slavery while Nazis Germany was moving towards it. More so is the fact that Nazis Germany was embracing and promoting institutionalized genocide ... on a scale never before witnessed.

If you look at the history ... the Nazis intended to move onto the Slavs once they had dealt with their Jewish problem. One third departed ... one third enslaved ... one third eliminated. That would be another 30 million. Thus said ... be careful where you go with this argument.

I think this film's most redeeming value is that it puts American racism ... in its military and society ... during WW2 front and center. I think this is a very important discussion as we move forward. You see this great irony addressed in other films as well ... and it is getting more attention as we continue to write this history of the war.

May I personally thank you for your service!

[–] Threadkiller (2952) 5 years ago

Well said OP. It was an interesting take on WWII as it didn't shy away from the fact that openly anti black racism/white supremacy was the norm for white American society during this time.