About Heritage Phenomenon
My version of Howard K. Bryant’s concept of the Heritage is called the “Heritage Phenomenon.” As described in Bryant’s groundbreaking book, The Heritage: Black Athletes, A Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism, this phenomenon encompasses the historical continuity of Black public figures who recognized that their success carries an implicit obligation to advocate for their communities. The Heritage Phenomenon represents a profound tradition of social responsibility embraced by Black Americans, particularly athletes and veterans. These individuals leverage their visibility to champion racial justice while navigating complex expressions of American patriotism.
As a Black veteran and scholar, Heritage Phenomenon influences my perspectives on Black military service and America’s multigenerational betrayal of that service. I frame the tension between Black military service and multigenerational betrayal as Black veteranality. Black veteranality illustrates the foundational philosophy of Heritage Phenomenon – the service and sacrifice of Black veterans are grounded in social justice, equity, and an inclusive conceptualization of American patriotism. Black veteranality is a theoretical framework that explores the intersection of racial identity and military service for Black veterans, highlighting the unique challenges and perspectives that arise from their distinct difficulties in navigating a tripartite consciousness encompassing their identities as Black individuals, Americans, and veterans.
As American society continues to grapple with persistent racial inequalities, the Heritage Phenomenon remains relevant for understanding how citizens can simultaneously love their country while demanding it improve. The Heritage Phenomenon conceptualizes the tradition of how Black Americans, particularly those with public platforms as athletes or veterans, navigate patriotic expression while advocating for social justice and equity in an ever-divided American society. Howard Bryant’s analysis of this tradition through the lens of Black athletic activism provides insights that extend beyond sports into broader questions of citizenship, belonging, and national identity. When expanded to include Black military service, the Heritage shows even more complex dimensions of how patriotism functions across different racial experiences in America.
About My Logo
Every detail of my logo intentionally captures my intent. The Sankofa represents the need to return to our collective past – in this context, revisiting and challenging the myths of origin stories – to move forward. The circular aspect of the Sankofa as well as the four arrows represent a journey toward wholeness which can only be built on a strong foundation of community.
The American flag is filled with 93 stars, each star honors a Black American awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor which was authorized by Congress in 1861. The first Black recipient of the Medal of Honor was Sergeant William H. Carney who served with the 54th Massachusetts Infantry in 1863 and the most recent recipient is Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cache who served with 3rd Infantry Division in 2005.
The finial on the flagpole is a gloved fist reminding that America was born in the crucible of protest for freedom and for equality.
About Me
Bryon L. Garner, PhD
Dr. 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 veteran critical theory 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 innovative blending of personal narrative and structural analysis, Dr. Garner advances 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.
Mission Statement
Heritage Phenomenon, Inc. advances equity and justice by advocating for policies that address systemic inequities affecting Black veterans, fostering community engagement to amplify their voices, and conducting scholarly research to illuminate the intersection of race, patriotism, veteran identity, and moral injury. Through legislative advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and collaborative partnerships, we strive to create a more inclusive society that honors the service and sacrifices of Black veterans while challenging narratives that undermine their contributions to American democracy.
“America’s systemic betrayal of Black veterans is not merely a historical footnote; it is a persistent and unbroken pattern, echoing through generations into the present. What is truly astonishing is not the betrayal itself but the audacity to expect each new generation of Black Americans to overlook this painful legacy—willfully permitting the cycle of broken promises and denied opportunities to persist unchallenged—while still demanding that we embrace a glorified distorted version of American exceptionalism.”– Bryon L. Garner, PhD
Black Veteranality: Military Service and the Illusion of Inclusive Patriotism, 2025.