The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA

Woods’s novel uses the setting of a small town in 1946 South Carolina to examine the far-reaching issue of the erasure of Black contributions and the subsequent fight for recognition. This theme is reflected in the title, which celebrates Meriwether’s heroism while making it clear that he doesn’t receive the thanks he deserves. From the very beginning, the narrative depicts life in a segregated town during the Jim Crow era, and these details reflect Woods’s efforts to educate readers about the specific contributions that Black people have made to American history, such as the 761st Tank Battalion’s role in the Battle of the Bulge. The novel also highlights the ways in which racism impacted Black servicemen upon their return home from World War II.

Through the diametrically opposed characters of Meriwether and Lucas, the author juxtaposes Black veterans’ loyalty and valor with the cruelty and cowardice of white supremacists who would seek to erase their contributions. Woods develops this theme by alluding to actual historical examples of racist violence, such as the 1946 attack on Sergeant Isaac Woodard in Batesburg, South Carolina. This atmosphere of fear and hatred deeply wounds the novel’s