How does military service collide with Black identity in a racially stratified America? Black Veteranality is an examination of the intersection of race, patriotism, and military service from the perspective of Black veterans, offering a robust framework for reimagining American patriotism and reframing veteran identity. Black veteranality emerges through an interdisciplinary synthesis of W.E.B. Du Bois’ foundational concept of "double consciousness"―the psychological duality Black Americans experience when negotiating racialized identity formations― and Veteran Critical Theory’s (VCT’s) structural analysis of institutional power dynamics shaping military service members. Through critical ethnography and narrative interviews, this conceptual framework interrogates monolithic veteran narratives by documenting how Black service members simultaneously embody patriotic ideals through military service while confronting systemic racism’s psychological toll and navigate what critical race scholars term the White gaze―a hegemonic social mechanism that perpetuates exclusion through perpetual scrutiny of Black veterans’ cultural authenticity and national belonging. Essential reading for scholars of African American studies, American studies, veteran studies, and military professions, this work bridges academia and activism, proving true loyalty lies in confronting systemic inequities.
Bryon L. Garner, a veteran studies scholar, examines the intersections of race, patriotism, and military service by introducing his Black veteranality framework. A U.S. Navy veteran, his academic work synthesizes VCT and critical race theory to analyze systemic inequities within military and veteran culture. His scholarship challenges conventional narratives of patriotism in America by centering marginalized veterans’ lived experiences, revealing how institutional practices within the armed services perpetuate racial disparities despite meritocratic ideals. Dr. Garner’s research informs policy discussions on veteran healthcare access and advocates for equitable recognition of diverse service members’ contributions to national identity. Through an innovative blending of personal narrative and structural analysis, Dr. Garner advances the understanding of veteranality as a fluid construct shaped by race, gender, and societal perceptions of service. His work continues to reframe academic and public conversations about military service, veteran identity, and racial justice in America.
