There is God in Each of Us
The Heroic Harlem Hellfighters Show the Image of God
We are created in God’s image for a reason. If you scan the headlines and trending social media posts, you won’t see much of God or reasons for anything. The other day, I saw images of God in soldiers known as the Harlem Hellfighters.
The Harlem Hellfighters was a 2,000 strong Army 369th Infantry Regiment sent to France at the end of 1917 to support the French’s campaign against Germany. They were a collection of every day, Black Americans mostly from Harlem but also from neighboring cities and states. From teens to their mid-40s, from doormen to mailmen, they rose to defend their country. What makes them unique is not that they defended their country but that they did so even when their country did not defend them.
The unit first was formed in 1916 as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment. The Civil War had ended in 1865 but racism was still rampant. And like August Tolton , the first Black Catholic priest in 1886 who fought to save the soul of America despite constant racism from even Catholics, the 369th saw past all that and fought for their country.
And they were going to be heros.
But first they had to clean toilettes (which would make them a hero in my house). They were sent to help with supplies, unloading ships and cleaning bathrooms, typical assignments for Black American soldiers in that era. But the French needed fighting soldiers and America wasn’t ready to send more troops to the French theater. So the 369th was handed over to the French military on March 10, 1918.
After some training with the French, the 369th were ready for battle April 15, 1918. This was more than a month before the US forces first major battle in Europe. The 369th, along with the French, fought on the front line against Germany. Heroic stories emerged from Henry Johnson (who now has an army base named after him), Neadham Roberts, Lawrence McVey and many more. Hundreds lost their lives.
Parades were waiting for them when they returned. Newspaper stories praised their heroism. But racism was still present. Black veterans wanted expanded civil rights and instead got a growing-in-influence Klu Klux Klan.
Black Americans are a fabric of American history, filled with intellectual brilliance, building cities, economic accomplishments and consistently rise to the occasion when called upon by their country. Unfortunately, time and again, Black Americans have found themselves targets for racism for political power and economic gains to their detriment.
Fortunately, the soldiers of the 369th took what I have coined, the Tolton path. One of determination, patience, forgiveness and love. And that is an image of God.
Peace.
Read more about the Harlem Hellfighters: