cognac became popular within the black community after WW1. Black soldiers stationed in France were treated with respect and dignity, unlike back home in America during the 1910's. They acquired a taste for French cognac once they realized they were allowed to visit any bar they wanted to without being segregated, and in French bars cognac was flowing freely. French soldiers also shared their alcohol with their black American comrades. They brought these stories of the good times had over cognac back home to the USA, and a trend was set.