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Oral history has always intrigued me, but my understanding of it was superficial until I engaged with Wallace Terry’s Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War. This assignment not only deepened my appreciation for oral history but also fundamentally altered my perspective on the Vietnam War and the Black experience within it. Before this, I thought of oral history as a quaint way to capture personal stories, interesting but not particularly impactful. The videos I watched on conducting oral history interviews opened my eyes to the depth and rigor involved in this method. Oral history is not just about collecting anecdotes; it is about preserving voices and emotions that standard historical texts often overlook. Reading Bloods, especially the chapters on Specialist 4 Haywood T. Kirkland, Sergeant Charles Strong, Sergeant First Class Harold "Light Bulb" Bryant, Specialist 4 Norman D. "Moses" McDaniel, and Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Daniels, was a transformative experience. These men’s stories are not just accounts of war; they are powerful testimonies of resilience, courage, and the stark reality of racial discrimination. Hearing their words, I felt a profound connection to their experiences, which drastically reshaped my view of the Vietnam War. Kirkland’s narrative, for instance, struck me deeply. His story of facing racial slurs and segregation within the military was shocking yet enlightening. It is one thing to know intellectually that racism existed in the military; it is another to hear about it directly from someone who lived it. Similarly, Strong’s story of leading his men and dealing with the dual pressures of combat and racial tensions illustrated the immense burdens placed on Black soldiers. These personal narratives provided a stark contrast to the more sanitized, broad-strokes version of the war presented in many textbooks, including The American Yawp. The traditional accounts focus heavily on the political and military strategies but often miss the human element. The oral histories in Bloods filled that gap, revealing the emotional and psychological scars left by the war and the additional layer of struggle faced by Black soldiers. One of the most impactful aspects of these oral histories was the way they highlighted the role of race. Overseas, Black soldiers like Bryant had to fight not only the Viet Cong but also the pervasive racism within their own ranks. The isolation and lack of support they faced were heartbreaking. Back home, the situation was not any better. McDaniel’s account of returning to a country that still treated him as a second-class citizen despite his service was a harsh reminder of the racial inequalities that persisted. Oral history captures nuances that text documents simply cannot. The spoken word conveys emotions, hesitations, and emphases that written words often miss. For instance, Daniels’ reflections on leadership and responsibility were made more poignant by the emotion in his voice. Hearing him speak brought his experiences to life in a way that text alone could never achieve. In my opinion, oral history is an invaluable tool for understanding the past. It humanizes historical events and brings forth voices that might otherwise be marginalized. The personal narratives in Bloods enriched my understanding of the Vietnam War, providing depth and emotional resonance to the historical facts. They challenged my preconceptions and highlighted the complex, often painful realities faced by Black veterans. The significance of oral history, particularly in the context of Bloods, goes beyond merely offering an alternative viewpoint. It serves as a corrective to the historical record, which has often been shaped by those in power. The Vietnam War, like many other conflicts, is frequently presented in a way that centers on the experiences of the dominant groups-typically white soldiers and commanders-while marginalizing the voices of those who were already marginalized in society. The oral histories of Black veterans disrupt this narrative, bringing to light the unique challenges they faced and the ways in which race influenced their experiences both in the war and afterward. For example, the interview with Haywood T. Kirkland offers insight into the psychological toll that racism took on Black soldiers. Kirkland describes how the racism he encountered in the military compounded the stress of combat, creating a sense of isolation and mistrust. This feeling of alienation was not just a personal experience but a reflection of the broader societal issues that permeated the military. Kirkland’s story, and those of others like him, underscore the importance of understanding the intersection of race and war. Their experiences challenge the notion that the military was a meritocratic institution where all soldiers were treated equally. Sergeant Charles Strong’s narrative further illustrates how race complicated the dynamics of leadership within the military. As a Black leader, Strong had to navigate not only the inherent dangers of warfare but also the prejudices of his fellow soldiers. His story reveals how Black soldiers were often placed in impossible situations where they had to prove themselves over and over again, simply because of the color of their skin. The pressures that Strong faced were not unique to him but were emblematic of the broader racial issues that plagued the military. His resilience in the face of these challenges is a testament to his character, but it also highlights the systemic issues that made his experience so difficult. The comparison between the narratives in Bloods and the content of The American Yawp is particularly striking. While The American Yawp provides a comprehensive overview of the Vietnam War, it cannot capture the personal, emotional, and psychological dimensions that are so vividly portrayed in the oral histories. The textbook gives us the facts-the strategies, the battles, the political ramifications-but it is the oral histories that bring these facts to life. They add layers of complexity to our understanding of the war, making it clear that the experience of Vietnam was not monolithic. The war was experienced differently by different people, and the stories of Black veterans remind us that these differences were often stark. Norman D. "Moses" McDaniel’s account of his return home is particularly poignant. McDaniel describes the disillusionment and anger he felt upon returning to a country that had not changed, despite the sacrifices he and others had made. His story sheds light on the deep-seated racial inequalities that persisted in America, even as Black soldiers were asked to fight and die for a country that did not afford them full citizenship. McDaniel’s narrative challenges the romanticized notion of the returning war hero, instead painting a picture of a man who returned to find that his service had done little to change his status in society. This reality is a stark reminder of the long road toward racial equality in the United States. In listening to and reading these oral histories, it becomes clear that the Vietnam War was as much a personal and emotional battleground as it was a physical one. The soldiers in Bloods were not just fighting an external enemy; they were also battling the internal demons of racism, discrimination, and isolation. The oral histories allow us to see this struggle in a way that traditional historical accounts cannot. They give voice to those who have been silenced, ensuring that their experiences are not forgotten. The use of oral history in learning about the past is, in my view, essential. It provides a fuller, richer understanding of historical events by incorporating the voices of those who lived through them. Oral histories remind us that history is not just about what happened; it is about how people experienced what happened. This perspective is invaluable in ensuring that we do not lose sight of the human element in our study of the past. In conclusion, Bloods and the oral histories it contains have had a profound impact on my understanding of the Vietnam War. These narratives have challenged my preconceptions and deepened my understanding of the complexities of the war, particularly the role of race. Oral history is not just a method of preserving the past; it is a vital tool for understanding the full scope of historical events. The voices of Black veterans, as captured in Bloods, ensure that we do not forget the personal, emotional, and psychological dimensions of the Vietnam War. Their stories are a powerful reminder that history is made up of individual experiences, and it is through these experiences that we gain a true understanding of the past.

pink panthress 😭

You got too much time, why you stressing out No motivation, question how 10 grams on me, im arrested now Imma rest for now Come up with new shi Make time for that new bih

4u with different key kinda

is there a way you can make it so there’s no guitar but you can hear him singing?

holy shit the beat sang the lyrics to me had to write it down now i js don’t know how to make a proper song ☠️☠️☠️

im dropping a song with this today

how do i purchase?

more disswars beatss plssss

whats da tag

Now I’m less stressed out You made everything feel better Now I’m left without you And I don’t know how to cope My feelings are in so deep this time around You left me here alone And I wanna drown I’m so stressed out I wonder if I’ll see you (See you again) Broken heart but I swear I won’t Make broken promises I’m so stressed Wit out you

is this loves and smiles by ay3demi?

Fire

Has anyone bought the rights to this

LMAOOOO TS REMOVED THE WATER FROM MY PHONE

this is literally a different instrumental lmao

i swear i hear the end of "Still the Same" by Autumn! at the start

ay bro can u use this for free for profit???

i js made a lil verse to this if anyone wanna hop on lmk go to my channel

This crazy wtf 🔥

goat beat recorded

💫

I know it’s been so long Since I seen you And I know that I am wrong Can’t believe you Left me on my own not trying to deceive you I just want you in my arms But you treat me like I’m see through I know it’s been so long Since I seen you AndI know that I am wrong Can’t believe you Left me on my own not trying to deceive you I just want you in my arms But you treat me like I’m see through I am thinking lately Baby am I that crazy? My thoughts are hazy And I,I, I, Can’t see lately

bruh plz keep uploading

i love these beats man

It's ay3demi :)

Ik who use this beat 😛😛

ts hard asf boutt drop sum wit this

welcome back gang

esta vez no fue un sueño despertarme y que no estes aqui Quiero volver a ser pequeño

MORE TYPE BEAT WID SAME TYPE MELODY LIKE DIS PLEASEE😭🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🔥🔥

NIKOWOODYEAR SNAPPED ON TS 💯💯💯

best producer lwk u rlly talented i wish u would drop more frequently cus u fr the goat

What effects u use to make it sound like this?

tf is this bs

😢

I just write a song on this beat

any chance u could upload the detuned version pls ? i use bandlab and the autotune doesnt work since its pitched up 50 cents 😭😭😭😭

I will be the best artist of our generation

I love ur beats broooo ❤

the key doesnt sound right for some reason

Made a tuff track to this 🙌

she said i don't learn i said "duh Im the teacher"

buồn lắm nhưng chẳng để em xem được tim anh giờ này đang đắm đuối với cocain ở trên giường Bờ lốc anh biết là mọi chuyện đã đi qua quá lâu Đừng gỡ nha em anh không muốn thấy em nữa đâu Cho anh thêm một viên xanh Chúc em có được hạnh phúc mới nha em En sẽ mãi hạnh phúc dù chẳng ở bên anh Anh sẽ mãi hạnh phúc vì có nỗi buồn kia luôn bên cạnh

Khozy we miss u.. naw on sum rs tho I need sum more mellow beats i jus wanna give you money yfm

Could you put a rock guitar in here too???

i’m gonna look you in yo eyes when i talk to you i’m just hoping in my heart that you genuine

i jus made a song to this 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 lmk if u tryna hear

this is so beautiful

Mind sending me your insta I wanna make a song with you beats and I wanna know what you think about it?