buffalosoldiers/AAChronology5.htm

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African-AmericanAfrican-American SoldiersSoldiers

The Paradox of American DemocracyThe Paradox of American Democracy

Power point created by Robert MartinezPrimary Content Source: Speaking of America: Vol. II, by Laura Belmonte

ParadoxParadox Paradox – a contradictory or Paradox – a contradictory or

opposite statement that opposite statement that expresses a possible truth.expresses a possible truth.

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World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Louis

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SegregationSegregation Segregation- separation of races Segregation- separation of races

by law.by law.

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“ “VV” simply represented victory for ” simply represented victory for the American people during WWII, the American people during WWII,

first victory in Europe (first victory in Europe (V-EV-E) and ) and later (later (V-JV-J), victory over Japan.), victory over Japan.

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Although WWII opened Although WWII opened opportunities for African Americans, opportunities for African Americans, its also highlighted the paradox of its also highlighted the paradox of America’s segregated democracy.America’s segregated democracy.


Accordingly, civil rights leaders Accordingly, civil rights leaders called for a “called for a “Double VDouble V” campaign ” campaign calling for the defeat of Nazism in calling for the defeat of Nazism in Europe and victory over racism at Europe and victory over racism at

home. home.


Energized by these appeals, one Energized by these appeals, one million African Americans enlisted million African Americans enlisted

in the armed forces, and thousands in the armed forces, and thousands joined civil rights organizations like joined civil rights organizations like

the NAACP.the NAACP.

http://library.thinkquest.org/trio/TTQ05085/valiant/aninethird.htm

The NAACP demanded anti-lynching The NAACP demanded anti-lynching laws, access to voting, and racial laws, access to voting, and racial

equality in employment, education, equality in employment, education, and housing.and housing.


In 1944, NAACP lawyers won the In 1944, NAACP lawyers won the landmark Supreme Court case landmark Supreme Court case Smith Smith v. Allwrightv. Allwright, striking down all-white , striking down all-white

primaries in Texas.primaries in Texas.


Under pressure, President Franklin Under pressure, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order Roosevelt issued Executive Order

8802, it outlawed discrimination in 8802, it outlawed discrimination in the U.S. civil service and in private the U.S. civil service and in private establishments receiving federal establishments receiving federal

defense contracts.defense contracts.

Executive Order 8802 did not extend Executive Order 8802 did not extend to the U.S. armed forces.to the U.S. armed forces.


FDR’s order enabled two million FDR’s order enabled two million African Americans to attain defense African Americans to attain defense jobs and another 200,000 to enter jobs and another 200,000 to enter

the workforce.the workforce.


Black union membership doubled and Black union membership doubled and African American wages quadrupled African American wages quadrupled

from $457 to $1,976 a year, from $457 to $1,976 a year, approximately $600 less than approximately $600 less than

whites.whites.


The military’s record on racial The military’s record on racial equality was less impressive. equality was less impressive.


When the war began, the army and When the war began, the army and navy rarely sent blacks into combat navy rarely sent blacks into combat

and relegated them to menial and relegated them to menial chores like kitchen duty and burial chores like kitchen duty and burial

detail.detail.

http://www.qmfound.com/quartermaster_black_history_resources.htm

The Marines refused to admit African The Marines refused to admit African Americans in any capacity.Americans in any capacity.

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The Red Cross maintained different The Red Cross maintained different blood supplies for white and black blood supplies for white and black

soldiers.soldiers.


U.S. military officials deployed all-U.S. military officials deployed all-black units such as the 761black units such as the 761stst Tank Tank

Battalion and the 99Battalion and the 99thth Pursuit Pursuit Squadron that compiled Squadron that compiled

distinguished records in combat distinguished records in combat against the Nazis.against the Nazis.

Wartime demands forced revision of Wartime demands forced revision of some of these practices.some of these practices.


By 1944, the army and navy were By 1944, the army and navy were experimenting with integration. experimenting with integration. Most black soldiers, served in Most black soldiers, served in

segregated companies commanded segregated companies commanded by white officers.by white officers.


Throughout the war, African Throughout the war, African American soldiers bitterly American soldiers bitterly complained about racial complained about racial

harassment on and near military harassment on and near military installations.installations.


Not surprisingly, black veterans were Not surprisingly, black veterans were among the thousands of African among the thousands of African Americans who joined the civil Americans who joined the civil rights movement in the years rights movement in the years

following World War II.following World War II.

http://www.lwfaam.net/ww2

A black soldiers writes to the A black soldiers writes to the president.president.

Dear President Roosevelt Dear President Roosevelt ::

“ “It was with extreme pride that It was with extreme pride that I, a soldier in the Armed Forces…I, a soldier in the Armed Forces…read the following affirmationread the following affirmation…”…”

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““Your use of the words ‘all persons, Your use of the words ‘all persons, regardless of race, color, and regardless of race, color, and

creed’ means that we are fighting creed’ means that we are fighting for ‘freedom, equality, and justice’ for ‘freedom, equality, and justice’

for our Negro Americansfor our Negro Americans… ”… ”


“ “On the home front …your issuance On the home front …your issuance of Executive Order 8802 …to fight of Executive Order 8802 …to fight

against the discriminatory against the discriminatory employment practices …used employment practices …used

against Negroes…is…part of the against Negroes…is…part of the world struggle against tyranny.world struggle against tyranny.””


“ “But the picture in our country is But the picture in our country is marred by one the strangest marred by one the strangest paradoxes in our whole fight paradoxes in our whole fight

against world fascism. The U.S. against world fascism. The U.S. Armed Forces, to fight for World Armed Forces, to fight for World

Democracy, is within itself Democracy, is within itself undemocraticundemocratic.”.”


““The undemocratic policy of Jim Crow The undemocratic policy of Jim Crow and segregation is practiced by our and segregation is practiced by our

Armed Forces against its Negro Armed Forces against its Negro members. Totally inadequate members. Totally inadequate opportunities are given to the opportunities are given to the

Negro membersNegro members…”…”


““Negro soldiers are completely Negro soldiers are completely segregated from the white soldiers segregated from the white soldiers on the base…the Negro Section C on the base…the Negro Section C are covered with black tar paper, are covered with black tar paper, while all other barracks and while all other barracks and housing on the base are painted housing on the base are painted whitewhite.”.”


““Just as our government in civilian Just as our government in civilian life, is carrying on a fight for the life, is carrying on a fight for the

full integration of the Negro…so in full integration of the Negro…so in the Armed Forces our government the Armed Forces our government

must take up the same fight for the must take up the same fight for the full integration…into all phases of full integration…into all phases of

our fightingour fighting…”…”

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“…“…another Executive Order is now another Executive Order is now needed…whereby the Negro soldiers needed…whereby the Negro soldiers

would be integrated…as fighting men, would be integrated…as fighting men, instead of segregated…instead of segregated…

housekeepershousekeepers.”.” Respectfully Respectfully

yours, yours,

Charles F. Wilson, Charles F. Wilson, 3679459036794590

Private, Air CorpsPrivate, Air Corps

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