LISTEN HERE:

Episode 12: Ohio v. Segregation (Tuskegee Airmen). Our Season 4 finale celebrates Black History Month 2020 by studying the trailblazing Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Alex meets with Dr. Anthony Milburn and Warren Mott to discuss the segregation of the US military and the courage of the “Red Tails” as well as their years in the Buckeye State following the war. We learn how the Tuskegee Airmen’s service helped accelerate the long-stagnant civil rights movement.

Dr. Milburn, a professor of history and the chairman of the Humanities Dept. at Ohio’s Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio shares the proud history of African American service in the military and the racism and discrimination faced by the pilots at Tuskegee. Alex and Dr. Milburn discuss the journey to full desegregation of the armed forces and the impact of the Harlem Hellfighters, Eleanor Roosevelt, William Hastie and the complicated roles of FDR and President Truman. 

Warren Mott, Director of Mott’s Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio, shares his favorite stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and his personal relationships with late Red Tails. A number of Tuskegee Airmen from Ohio are discussed as well as their years following the war stationed at Lockbourne Air Base in Central Ohio. Go visit Mott’s Military Museum, a true hidden gem of US military history. www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org

Thanks for listening to Season 4 of Ohio v. The World. Stay tuned to our website www.ohiovtheworldpodcast.com and our Facebook page for updates on Season 5: The Presidents coming in May 2020. Don’t hesitate to email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com and please rate/review the show on iTunes.