What Does It Take to Rise above Prejudice?

Despite the prejudicial atmosphere in which they lived, the Tuskegee Airmen rose above the prejudice to prove their worth to the bomb crews which they escorted.

Although white pilots who escorted bomb crews in Europe, during WWII, sometimes left their positions to engage with enemy planes, the Tuskegee Airmen did not. They ignored what could have been personal glory to stick to their mission of protecting the bombers.

During later years, some of the highly skilled Tuskegee Airmen talked about their experiences.  Herbert Carter said: “The best antidote to racism is excellence in one’s performance.” What did he mean by that statement?

Lt. Col. William H. Holloman said: “America's not perfect.  But I’ll hold her hand until she gets well.”  Do you think it was difficult for these men not only to rise above the prejudice which was aimed their way but also to live-out their beliefs in such exemplary fashion? Why, or why not?

Can you think of areas in your own life, or in the lives of your family and friends, where that same sentiment—things aren’t right, but I’ll “hang in there” until things turn around—applies?  If so, what would they be?

Did rising above the prejudice prove to be valuable for you or your friends? How so?