From UCR & Cal Poly Pomona
At a time when black men were scorned and denigrated as less than second-class citizens, a group of dedicated, determined African Americans took to the skies in defense of America. And, as the city of West Covina honors these flyers, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, the scholars in Riverside gave a helping hand to the design of a distinctive New Year's Rose Parade float. The university houses the Western Region Tuskegee Airmen Archive , a growing collection that brings together and preserves material about the pioneers who broke a racial barrier that kept minorities out of military air service. Meantime, the folks over in Pomona are, as usual, fired up over their annual Rose Parade entry, for which they are flogging public support. The school hopes its 'Jungle Cuts' entry will garner sufficient online votes to become the Viewer's Choice parade award winner.
Photo: Designer Paul Rodriguez's planned West Covina float / courtesy Charisma floats
Archive proves invaluable as city float honors Tuskegee Airmen
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