As the first African American Marine aviator, Frank Petersen has been described as a "pioneer, warrior, and remodel". Petersen, who served 38 years in the Marine Corps, died on Wednesday, August 28, 2015 at age 83, from lung cancer. In an interview, Petersen remembered returning home from the Korean War and the "bitter taste" in his mouth as he looked around and saw the still evident racism occurring in the United States. Around the same time he recalled being on a road trip with his family and making sure to wear his uniform feeling that "It would give me some protection because, if nothing else, it would make it a federal offense if something were to be done to me." Frank Petersen was awarded many medals in his lifetime including the Purple Heart and Navy Distinguished Service Medal. At the time of his retirement, he told the told the Washington Post that he believed that his time as a lieutenant has made a difference for African Americans.
The thoughts behind the actions described in this article mirror the relationship between the Native Americans and Europeans in the 1600s. As we've learned this week, the colonists (and before them, the Spaniards) treated the Natives with harsh hatred. In history the Europeans regarded the Native American culture as trash in their way of success, always violently shoving them back. In more recent times people are still treating different races, in this case African American, with the same hatred and spite. Yet, in both situations, there have been staple people to help bridge the social gap. In the 1600s, Pocahontas advocated for peace between her Native tribe and the English newcomers. She knew English, married John Rolfe and became the two cultures common ground. Similarly, Frank Petersen was a crucial step in help bridging the gap between different parts of our modern day society. By becoming the first African American Marine aviator and lieutenant Peterson stepped on new territory that has set a bright, strong pathway for future generations of our American society.
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I think it is entirely awful and insane that this hero and role model feels the need to wear a uniform in order to prevent any harm from coming to him. The ground that he has broken is monumental, and looking back inspires me to realizes that even though we have a ways to go before things are the way they should be, we can achieve complete equality.
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