Black Veterans Deserve Proper Care Not Homelessness
By: Aleja Aslan
01/23/2020
The United States, is known as the most powerful country with the “world's largest economy and biggest military budget, spending over $610 billion on military hardware and personnel in 2017.” But what it is not known for is for it’s unequal treatment of veterans of color. America and the world knows that all throughout history black people have been the targets of hate crimes and violence. This unfair and discriminatory treatment was and still is reflected through the treatment of veterans of color.
At first it started out as people of color not being allowed to fight in any wars because they were seen as incapable humans. Then it changed to allowing people of color to join the war effort. However they were only assigned to do unwanted jobs such as cleaning and moving equipment, while they were separated from the white soldiers. At the end of the Civil War things become very bad for any Black veterans. After America was done using them, they would return the soldiers home to encounter more hatred, segregation, discrimination, and even lynching.
“Lynching in America:” the method white Americans used to “show respect” to Black veterans. In recent years the problem has shifted from actively murdering Black veterans to passive harm, like the lack of access to care once veterans return from service. Unfortunately, many Black veterans are seen as second class veterans compared to white veterans. The practice of lynching is not standing now, but there is still hate and unequal treatment. Although America has been so unfair to the people of color, they still fought along America because “they viewed the conflict as an opportunity to prove their loyalty, patriotism, and worthiness for equal treatment in the United States.” Black people just wanted to get respect and live freely in their county like their white counterparts.
It is quite sad that America still doesn’t give proper recognition to veterans of color after all their contributions to keeping this country safe, as well as shocking at how many of those colored veterans become homeless. For example, according to the National Alliance to End Homeless reports that about 43.2 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness are people of color, compared with 18.4 percent of the general veteran population.33.1 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness are African American, compared with 12.3 percent of the general veteran population. 3 percent of homeless veterans are Native American or Alaska Native and 4.8 percent are multiracial, compared with a 0.7 percent and 2.1 percent of the general veteran population.White veterans are significantly less likely to be homeless. 56.8 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness are white, compared with more than 81.6 percent of the general veteran population. Where is the proper support that America promises veterans? "About 13 percent of homeless Afghan and Iraq war veterans are women, and almost 50 percent of all homeless veterans are African American. With 1/3 of all women veterans reporting Military Sexual Trauma, it should be noted that female African American veterans who have been sexually assaulted are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population within the United States.” These are the reality for many of those veterans.
America needs to be more helpful to those that have helped the country. It is so unfair how many black veterans become homeless. Even though the VA's specialized homeless programs served more than 92,000 veterans in 2009, which is highly commendable. This still leaves well over 100,000 more veterans, however, who must seek assistance from local government agencies and community- and faith-based service organizations. The amount of effort that America has out into helping black veterans does not account for all the service and protection that this veterans have offered the country. While it is true that Since 1987, VA's programs for homeless veterans have emphasized collaboration with such community service providers to help expand services to more veterans in crisis. There are still too many black veterans facing homelessness, this is something that America must change and work towards a fair treatment, something that will be quote difficult as proven by all the years that American’s have been fighting for equal treatment and no discrimination.
What needs to be changed in order for this issue of so many black veterans being homeless? What needs to be changed in order for this issue of so many black veterans being homeless?
America needs to make sure that veterans get more support from the army due to the fact that many of them have faced traumatic experiences. For example, “Veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing, nutritional meals, basic physical health care, substance abuse care and aftercare, mental health counseling, personal development and empowerment.” Because once they leave the army, they are not the same person that they were as when they first enter the army. Additionally, veterans need job assessment, training and placement assistance, a big reason why many veterans become homeless is because they don;t find the same opportunities with the same applies to find jobs. America needs more programs that are community-based, nonprofit, “veterans helping veterans” groups, the fact that these programs are substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves, is a great help for those who look for substance to calm their pain. Not only does the army and government need to be more helpful to these veterans, the community also needs to step up, such as you can visit with homeless veteran service providers. Contact your mayor’s office for a list of providers, or search the NCHV database.
But also If you are not already part of an organization, align yourself with a few other people who are interested in attacking this issue and participate in local homeless coalitions. Because chances are, there is one in your community. Making donations to your local homeless veteran service provider and contact your elected officials, could make a great difference. These veterans have given so much to the country, it is time to give them back all the help they offered.