WW2 'Brown Babies': A little-known part of British 20th Century history - BBC World Service podcast

Summary

This transcript explores the experiences of African-American GIs stationed in Britain during World War II, focusing on the racial challenges they faced. Despite segregation laws in the U.S., black soldiers found more social freedom in the UK, forming positive relationships with locals. However, they were still subjected to discriminatory practices, both by the military and in society. The narrative is enriched by Babs Gibson-Ward's personal journey, a 'brown baby' born to a black American GI and a white British woman. Her struggles with identity, racism, and the search for her father highlight the enduring impact of this hidden history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Black American GIs began arriving in Britain in 1942 during WWII, and the US Department of Defense created a film to educate them about the reception they might receive.
• 😀 Despite racial segregation in the US military, African-American GIs in Britain formed positive relationships with locals, who often found them more polite than their white counterparts.
• 😀 Many black American soldiers were restricted to roles like building airbases and maintaining planes but were not allowed to fly or bear arms.
• 😀 Racial segregation and prejudice were prevalent in the US army, even in Britain, where black and white soldiers were separated during social events like dances and pub visits.
• 😀 A significant number of mixed-race children, known as 'brown babies,' were born to white British women and black American GIs during WWII, with many facing neglect and discrimination.
• 😀 Babs Gibson-Ward, one of the 'brown babies,' was raised in children's homes and faced severe racial abuse at school, including being segregated and ridiculed by her teacher.
• 😀 Despite being mistreated by her stepfather and classmates, Babs refused to believe the racist notions that were forced upon her.
• 😀 Babs was reunited with her birth mother at 14, but it was an emotionally difficult experience, as she did not know her and was forced to live with her, despite their strained relationship.
• 😀 Babs later sought to trace her birth father, but the process was difficult due to the lack of support and the secrecy surrounding her records.
• 😀 Although Babs was able to trace her father’s family, many other 'brown babies' have faced lifelong struggles with their identities and family histories due to the absence of information about their heritage.

Q & A

Why did the US Department of Defense create a film for African-American GIs stationed in Britain during World War II?

The film was produced to educate the young men about the kind of welcome they might receive in Britain, and to address potential cultural differences, particularly around racial attitudes and social practices.

How were black American GIs treated differently in the UK compared to the US?

Although African-American GIs were still under the segregation laws of the US military, they found that Britain had fewer social restrictions, and they were often treated more warmly by locals, especially in terms of politeness and manners.

What role did black GIs typically perform during their time in the UK?

The black GIs were mainly assigned to building air bases, maintaining planes, and other support tasks. They were prohibited from flying and bearing arms, reflecting the segregation policies of the US military at the time.

What were the social dynamics like between black GIs and local British people?

Black GIs were often seen more favorably than white GIs due to their perceived politeness and attractiveness. Despite some initial challenges, they formed positive relationships with many British locals.

How did racial segregation in the US military affect the relationships between black GIs and British locals?

Racial segregation in the US military meant that black GIs were subjected to a segregated lifestyle, including segregated dances and pubs. Even outside the military bases, these social divisions were maintained, although the attitudes in Britain were generally more tolerant.

What restrictions were placed on black GIs regarding relationships with white women?

Black GIs were not permitted to marry white British women unless they received permission from their commanding officers, which was rarely granted due to anti-miscegenation laws in many US states.

How did Babs Gibson-Ward’s mother’s relationship with a black GI impact her life?

Babs’s mother had a relationship with a black GI, resulting in Babs being born. However, her mother did not inform the GI about the child, and when Babs’s stepfather discovered she was not his biological daughter, she was sent to a children's home.

What challenges did Babs Gibson-Ward face growing up, particularly related to racism?

Babs faced significant racial abuse, particularly in school, where a teacher would encourage other children to mock her. She was treated as inferior and given tasks that suggested a belief in her intellectual deficiency due to her mixed-race background.

How did Babs Gibson-Ward eventually discover her birth father's identity?

After many years of searching and struggling to obtain information, Babs was able to trace her father's family in the US through the Freedom of Information Act. She learned more about her father, although she never met him before his death.

What impact did the lack of information about their roots have on the mixed-race children born during the war?

The lack of knowledge about their heritage and family background created a sense of disconnection and ostracism for many of these children. They grew up without a clear sense of identity, facing both racial stigma and the loss of familial connections, which profoundly affected their lives.