vietnam

The Vietnam War was heavily criticized in America, especially by African Americans who faced discrimination and violence. Black men were eligible for the draft, but many didn't meet the educational requirement. Boxer Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted, questioning why he should fight in Vietnam while facing injustice at home. In 1966, Project 100,000 lowered educational standards, allowing more African Americans to be drafted. Some saw this as a chance to prove themselves. The Vietnam War, even in its time, was not popular with Americans. Constant criticism, protests, and discourse about it was commonplace. One such group of Americans was African Americans, who were already subjected to discrimination and violence during this time. So when time came for a draft in the early and mid-60s, black men were obviously a part of the eligible pool for being drafted, although many were not, as there was an educational standard many did not meet. Dealing with discrimination and not seeing a point in fighting in Vietnam, many were angry about it. Popular boxer and activist Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted, and was then subsequently tried for a draft refusal. He said, why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam, while so-called Negro people in Louisville treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? It's not hard to see why Ali was against the draft, and many black men feel the same. In October 1966, Project 100,000, also known as McNamara's Morons, was initiated. This dramatically increased U.S. troop presence in Vietnam. Because of the Project 100,000's main goal of lowering educational standards for the draft, more African Americans were able to be drafted, although hated by many, others did see it as an opportunity to prove themselves.