Invisible Generals
Rediscovering Family Legacy, and a Quest to Honor America's First Black Generals
(Sprache: Englisch)
For readers of Adam Makos and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a dive into the hidden history Black contributions to the American military, told through the obscured lives of Tuskeegee Airmen founder Benjamin Davis and his equally heroic son.
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For readers of Adam Makos and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a dive into the hidden history Black contributions to the American military, told through the obscured lives of Tuskeegee Airmen founder Benjamin Davis and his equally heroic son.
Klappentext zu „Invisible Generals “
The amazing true story of America's first Black generals, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. and Jr., a father and son who helped integrate the American military and created the Tuskegee Airmen. Perfect for fans of Devotion and Hidden Figures.Red Tails, George Lucas's celebration of America's first Black flying squadron, the Tuskegee Airmen, should have been a moment of victory for Doug Melville. He expected to see his great-uncle Benjamin O. Davis Jr.-the squadron's commander-immortalized on-screen for his selfless contributions to America. But as the film rolled, Doug was shocked when he realized that Ben Jr.'s name had been omitted and replaced by the fictional Colonel A. J. Bullard. And Ben's father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., America's first Black general who helped integrate the military, was left out too.
Dejected, Doug looked inward and realized that unless he worked to bring their inspirational story to light, it would remain hidden from the world just as it had been concealed from him.
In Invisible Generals, Melville shares his quest to rediscover his family's story across five generations, from post-Civil War America to modern day Asia and Europe. In life, the Davises were denied the recognition and compensation they'd earned, but through his journey, Melville uncovers something greater: that dedication and self-sacrifice can move proverbial mountains-even in a world determined to make you invisible.
Invisible Generals recounts the lives of a father and his son who always maintained their belief in the American dream. As the inheritor of their legacy, Melville retraces their steps, advocates for them to receive their long-overdue honors and unlocks the potential we all hold to retrieve powerful family stories lost to the past.
Lese-Probe zu „Invisible Generals “
Chapter One: Generational Collateral ONE Generational Collateral Our lives are the receipts of our ancestors' journeys-their experiences, investments, relationships, joy, pain, and tragedies.
No one could've anticipated how frigid it would be on March 4, 1873, the day President Ulysses S. Grant was sworn in for his second term. It was the coldest March inauguration on record, and everyone attending was likely bundled up and bracing against the negative windchill. As Grant rode in his custom presidential carriage to the White House, alongside him sat Louis P. H. Davis.
I first learned about Louis Davis from my dad. When I asked other family members about him, I repeatedly heard that his significance could be traced to his purchase of a home in Washington, DC, which would become a launching pad for future generations' success. Ben Jr., Louis's grandson, wrote in his memoir:
Louis Patrick Henry Davis, my father's father, had spent his boyhood as a servant in the home of Gen. and Mrs. John A. Logan. General Logan, who later became a U.S. representative and a U.S. senator from Illinois, had participated actively in the effort to impeach President Andrew Johnson. My grandfather favorably impressed the Logan family and gradually became their son's companion. Later, as General Logan's protégé, he worked in the Interior Department. He thus gained a measure of economic security and was able to purchase a home at 1830 11th Street NW, where I was born.1
Even if you're unfamiliar with Major General Logan, you may know some of the landmarks that bear his name: Logan Airport in Boston, Logan Square in Chicago, and Logan Circle in DC. He was a Civil War hero of the Union Army and became a close friend of Ulysses S. Grant, who had commanded the Union Army. After Logan retired from the military, he entered politics. Between Logan's military prowess, renown, political swagger, and friendship with the president, he was an extremely powerful person and indispensable
... mehr
ally to have-particularly for a Black family in that era.
The record is unclear on when or how Louis became Logan's servant. The term "servant" can mean many different things in a modern context, with both positive and negative connotations. Back then, it meant that the livelihood, accommodations, and tasks were solely determined by the provider. But as a servant, Louis was welcomed into the Logans' home and paid for his labor. He was obviously well thought of and trusted, because he became the companion of Logan's son, John A. Logan II, and was tasked with overseeing Grant's son on occasion as well. So it was noteworthy, but no shock, that Louis accompanied the younger Logan in the carriage during Grant's second inauguration.
Perhaps in appreciation for Louis's years of faithful service, General Logan used his connections to secure a job for Louis in the Department of the Interior. As an assistant messenger for the Office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, he earned a salary of $720 a year (equivalent to about $22,000 today). Once he was gainfully employed, he felt confident enough to start a family of his own. He wed Henrietta Stewart on July 7, 1875, and the newlyweds lived in a six-room brick house near Howard University. In 1878, they moved to another home nearby. Over the years they had three children. On May 28, 1880, the youngest boy, Benjamin Oliver "Ollie" Davis was born.2
Louis began making moves into DC's Black middle-class society. In the early 1880s he received a promotion to head messenger in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General, with an annual salary of
The record is unclear on when or how Louis became Logan's servant. The term "servant" can mean many different things in a modern context, with both positive and negative connotations. Back then, it meant that the livelihood, accommodations, and tasks were solely determined by the provider. But as a servant, Louis was welcomed into the Logans' home and paid for his labor. He was obviously well thought of and trusted, because he became the companion of Logan's son, John A. Logan II, and was tasked with overseeing Grant's son on occasion as well. So it was noteworthy, but no shock, that Louis accompanied the younger Logan in the carriage during Grant's second inauguration.
Perhaps in appreciation for Louis's years of faithful service, General Logan used his connections to secure a job for Louis in the Department of the Interior. As an assistant messenger for the Office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, he earned a salary of $720 a year (equivalent to about $22,000 today). Once he was gainfully employed, he felt confident enough to start a family of his own. He wed Henrietta Stewart on July 7, 1875, and the newlyweds lived in a six-room brick house near Howard University. In 1878, they moved to another home nearby. Over the years they had three children. On May 28, 1880, the youngest boy, Benjamin Oliver "Ollie" Davis was born.2
Louis began making moves into DC's Black middle-class society. In the early 1880s he received a promotion to head messenger in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General, with an annual salary of
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Autoren-Porträt von Doug Melville
Doug Melville is one of the most innovative voices in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with over a decade of experience. Most recently he was the global head of diversity and inclusion at Richemont, one of the world's leading luxury goods companies. Previously, Melville worked on Madison Avenue advising clients-including Apple, Airbnb, PepsiCo, Nissan, and more-on inclusive ad campaigns and communication strategies. He has also lectured at Stanford University, Georgetown University, and Harvard University. His first book, Invisible Generals, was released on Veterans Day 2023. Find out more at DougMelville.com.
Bibliographische Angaben
- Autor: Doug Melville
- 2023, 256 Seiten, Maße: 15,2 x 22,8 cm, Gebunden, Englisch
- Verlag: Simon & Schuster US
- ISBN-10: 1668005131
- ISBN-13: 9781668005132
- Erscheinungsdatum: 13.11.2023
Sprache:
Englisch
Pressezitat
"In the rich tapestry of American history, the inspiring saga of the country's first two Black generals remains a lesser-known gem, hidden in the shadows of time. These trailblazers, courageous leaders, and unyielding advocates rose above adversity with the unwavering spirit of justice burning in their hearts. Their story serves as an enduring beacon of hope, a reminder that the path to equality and justice is not without challenges, but it is one worth traversing."-Ben Crump, Black America's Attorney General
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