What happened to the children of African American soldiers and German women after the war?
Since the World War II, African American soldiers and German mothers gave birth to many children in Germany. They were referred to as the Brown Babies and were under severe hardships right at the beginning.The German society was highly racist and unwilling to change. Mothers were severely criticized by being present with foreign-soldiers, especially the Blacks. They were usually regarded as dirt, and not supported.
The greatest challenge was financial. American fathers were required to make it home most of the time and the German law would scarcely allow women to get child support. The mothers were poor and shamed and they had difficulties to raise their children and many had to appear in orphanages or children homes.
But such was not the end of the story. As soon as the Black Americans heard about the fate of these children, they experienced the moral obligation to assist. Another movement to embrace the Brown Babies was initiated by black families and activists.
Through them, thousands of children were sent to the United States. They had moved away leaving behind them a difficult and sorrowful life in Germany and had been raised into warm and supportive African-American neighborhoods, which has provided them with a greater opportunity at life.

Comments
Post a Comment