Forgotten Soldiers from the Empire

The Black History Museum of Alexandria premiered this documentary film about black African soldiers who fought in WWII with the Allied Forces. Filmmaker Matt Spangler used interviews, animation and historical film footage to tell the stories of black soldiers from English-speaking countries who faced discrimination while fighting for other’s freedoms in North Africa and Europe.  Their stories are parallel to those of African American soldiers serving in a segregated American military at the same time.

Questions and comments from the audience suggested a link between the experiences of black African soldiers and  independence movements in Africa in the 1960s and the experiences of black American soldiers and the civil rights movement in America.  Sounds like an excellent research thesis.