White soldiers used black child for target practice
during grim chapter in Tampa’s history
TAMPA — The African-American military troops known as the Buffalo Soldiers stopped in Tampa 120 years ago while on their way to help free Cuba from the rule of an oppressive Spain.
But their time spent in Tampa served as a reminder of their own oppression. White-owned businesses would not serve them. White residents would not respect them. And 120 years ago, on June 6, 1898, when white soldiers used a black child for target practice, a riot erupted.
The Buffalo Soldiers are memorialized locally through a krewe that bears their name and takes part in parades like Gasparilla.
SNIP
"It’s one of these ugly moments we cannot forget is part of our story" said Fred Hearns, a historian of Tampa’s African-American history. "Shooting at a black kid for target practice. Think about it. People supported that once."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/White-soldiers-used-black-child-for-target-practice-during-grim-chapter-in-Tampa-s-history_168734873
= new reply since forum marked as read
my grandfather was one of those AA troops. What those white soldiers did, sad, sad, sad.
