help with my book

hi everyone, this might sound awkward for a D&D topic.
I'm currently writting a book- a novel- that involves both Nigerian and american charaters. And its mostly set in both countries. As the book progresses i find out that their are certain things about america as well as other things that i know little of and critically need in my book to make it worth it, and that's where you all come in... From time to time I'd love to use this thread to ask certain questions, no matter how silly they might sound, your answers would be of great help to me, cos every scrap of info is important for my book. And if anyone is so kind to create the time to help in going through my draft so far and making recomendations i'd be glad, just pm me.
And i'd save everyone a spot in aknowledgement when it finally gets published. Thanks...
I probably hope i'm not violating any forum rules by this.

first question: when where blacks allowed to join west point or where they always allowed?

Google "first african american at west point".
I did and I found some surprising things.

Originally posted by johnogaziechi:

first question: when where blacks allowed to join west point or where they always allowed?

That was surprisingly early, West Point graduated its first African American in 1877 The US Armed Forces remained segregated through WWII, though.

thanks sanguinemoon...but i got an error trying to access the link and tt9 i'd do that. Wanted to find out how long there have been black commisioned officers. Thanks again for the help.

hhttp://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-african-american-graduate-of-west-point
remove one h
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-african-american-graduate-of-west-point

Originally posted by leirom:

hhttp://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-african-american-graduate-of-west-point
remove one h
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-african-american-graduate-of-west-point

thanks

second question: when did the segregation in the US army stop?

It already started during WW2 for officers, but wasn't made complete until 1948: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_9981

Google must be broke in Nigeria?

Originally posted by ensbb3:

Google must be broke in Nigeria?

meaning?

Originally posted by Frenzie:

It already started during WW2 for officers, but wasn't made complete until 1948: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_9981

got that, exactly what i needed

Easy with no wait.

Originally posted by ensbb3:

Easy with no wait.

thank you, just because i'm asking for the help of others doesn't mean i don't know how to use 'google' or any other search engines...it simply means there are things i might miss and others might not. It mean two or more heads are better than one. So please if you won't help you might like to keep your cynicism to yourself cos its sort of a demotivator to me. Thank you again.

I suppose all I really meant was simple facts like who, what and when are easy to obtain on one's own. I_ understand asking questions to gain deeper insight or another perspective. However dates, names., places.. c'mon, really? If you think you missed something or want another perspective, just ask. I think this thread is a good idea, don't get me wrong. There's deepening the scope of your research and then there's having someone else do it for you though.

But I'll shut up. Silly me. There I go speaking out of turn in a public forum again.

Originally posted by ensbb3:

There's deepening the scope of your research and then there's having someone else do it for you though.

I wouldn't have if I hadn't been interested in the answer. But I agree that it took half a minute tops to find it, probably more in the direction of 10-15 seconds.

Originally posted by johnogaziechi:

It mean two or more heads are better than one.

It depends on the heads.

Well I wish I had kept a picture found on the net several years ago. I sent a copy to a family member as it showed 3 American officers all in uniform during the American Civil War 1861-4 and one of them was black. The surprise is that he was a Confederate.

maybe i was wrong after all starting this topic... Well i never intended for anyone to do my research for me i just asked for help. But since its being seen in another light, i'd rather do my thing on my own from now on.
Thanks to everyone who helped out but i think this is where i draw the curtain, no more questions.

THE END


(?)

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Well I wish I had kept a picture found on the net several years ago. I sent a copy to a family member as it showed 3 American officers all in uniform during the American Civil War 1861-4 and one of them was black. The surprise is that he was a Confederate.

It's more complicated than you think.

The readiness with which some blacks responded should only be surprising to those who are unfamiliar with the true feelings of slaves. Their only hope was to someday be free. "One thing that impressed the blacks greatly was the failure of Denmark Vesey, Nat Turner, and John Brown, whose e fate was held up to them as the fate of all who tried to free the slaves or free themselves" [41]. Therefore it should not be surprising to see blacks that sprang at the chance to dig trenches and assist in any way possible for the South. To better comprehend these people we should understand that most people do things for immediate reasons and not abstract ones. Instead of revolts among the blacks, slave and free, as predicted by some, many became possessed of a fervor - originating in fear - which was stimulated by an enthusiasm of the white population. "The gaily decked cities; the flags, bunting and streamers of all colors; the mounted cavalry; the artillery trains with brazen cannons drawn by sturdy steeds; followed by regiments of infantry in brilliant uniforms, with burnished muskets, glittering bayonets and beautiful plumes; all these scenes greatly interested and delighted the Negro, and it was filling the cup of many with ecstasy to the brim, to be allowed to connect themselves, even in the most menial way, with the demonstrations" [42]. Blacks saw first hand what was going on. They knew they had an opportunity to better themselves, which was all many of them really wanted. When the war broke out everybody thought it was going to be over quickly. Slaves and free blacks knew this too, which is why many of them displayed an enthusiasm that was gone by 1863, when the South began to lose the war.

http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/articles_black_confeds.html

Yes, an interesting background link Jaybro. I was aware of negro involvement although not the extent. Needless to say it was quietly ignored by the influencers in the North as this didn't suit at all.

Hope you get on with your idea of a book johnogaziechi.Indeed I once contemplated a book myself on childhood and after days here in this city. (fade out while whistling Dixie.....)

Interesting to note segregation and discrimination wasn't limited to blacks in the civil war. Immigrants, such as the irish, were discriminated against even in the north. Over a third of the souths population was black and tho some states didn't, several used and offered incentives for blacks to join the effort.

Slavery in the south wasn't going to last forever no matter what. Things like mechanization and rail expansion were phasing out the need along with changing attitudes.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

The surprise is that he was a Confederate.

Well sure. Like the poor white planters, he joined to defend his home from "Northern Aggression", while forgetting Confederacy started the war in the first place at Fort Sumter.

Originally posted by johnogaziechi:

maybe i was wrong after all starting this topic...

No. You were just looking for insights Americans might have on the topic. Maybe ask questions that aren't so easily answered with a Google search.

This is also surprising:

Originally posted by Robert E Lee:

I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than the dissolution of the Union. It would be an accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and I am willing to sacrifice everything but honor for its preservation.

I think regarding Fory Sumper the Confederates took the inititaive as it was obvious the Union wasn't going to tolerate secession and fought to win that. I am not too suprised at Robert E. Lee. He was troubled having been the Union's army supremo and agonised over the split which was coming to a head. However he in the end still seen his State more important. He was a man of honour, principle and inspiring and the CSA had a group of eminent military leaders. Hence my pc of the General on a room wall here.....

Meanwhile johnogaziechi. My thought was you honestly and sincerely have goodly intentions and this included sussing out any possible information to be gleaned. It is just a pity that things get sideswiped. You stick to it though. When I said I had the thought of a book myself the title was to be "The Boy Who Played At Trams." Now there's as curious title!

In johnogaziechi's defence, googling for things is only easy once you know the right terms to google for, and that's not necessarily trivial coming from another culture.

Originally posted by johnnysaucepn:

In johnogaziechi's defence, googling for things is only easy once you know the right terms to google for, and that's not necessarily trivial coming from another culture.

I searched with the terms supplied by johnogaziechi himself on Wikipedia. But I repeat, I wouldn't have supplied the answer if I had a problem with it.

I guess I should just keep my opinions to myself. A writer that can't take the simplest criticism. You'd think I said books are dumb and writers are lazy by the reaction.

I was eager to participate until the answers turned into a 'top link-athon'. I still see nothing wrong with the idea of the thread.

I fully agree the thread is okay.