Airman, Actors Seek to Inspire with 'Red Tails'

NewsHour Extra Director, Imani M. Cheers interviewed original Tuskegee Airman, Dr. Roscoe Brown, director Anthony Hemingway and actors David Oyelowo and Cuba Gooding Jr. to discuss the making of "Red Tails" and how it relates to some of the contemporary issues young people face today.

NewsHour Extra Director, Imani M. Cheers interviewed original Tuskegee Airman, Dr. Roscoe Brown, director Anthony Hemingway and actors David Oyelowo and Cuba Gooding Jr. to discuss the making of "Red Tails" and how it relates to some of the contemporary issues young people face today.

"The film is really a story of accomplishments and achievements and it really shows in such a brilliant way of how discipline combined with determination, combined with perseverance, combined with faith equals excellence [and] so many young boys and girls can really take something from this [film]," remarked Hemingway.

Under the direction of Hemingway, the film is set during World War II and tells the story of a cast of young men, from various backgrounds, who were united in their desire to fight for their country.

"Red Tails" was inspired by the heroics and valor of the first all-African American aerial combat unit, the Tuskegee Airmen.

Quotes

"Excellence is an antidote to prejudice, excellence overcomes obstacles and it's cool to be smart. You put that together everybody should be successful," - Dr. Roscoe Brown, original Tuskegee Airman.

Warm Up Questions

1. What do you know about World War II?2. Who fought in World War II?3. World War II took place before the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960s. What do you think life was like for black soldiers in World War II?

Discussion Questions

1. What is the role of the Tuskegee Airmen and their role in World War II?

2. How should they be remembered?

3. Define and discuss the symbolism of the Double V and the red tails on the aircraft.

Additional Resources

Video

Lesson Plan: The Tuskegee Airmen: A Journalist's Perspective

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