1. African-American Soldiers The Paradox of American Democracy
Power point created by Robert Martinez
Primary Content Source: Speaking of America: Vol. II, by Laura Belmonte

2. Paradox
Paradox – a contradictory or opposite statement that expresses a possible truth.

3. World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Louis

5. Segregation- separation of races by law and dominant society.

6. “V” simply represented victory for the American people during WWII, first victory in Europe (V-E) and later (V-J), victory over Japan.

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

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

9. Energized by these appeals, one million African Americans enlisted in the armed forces, and thousands joined civil rights organizations like the NAACP.

10. The NAACP demanded anti-lynching laws, access to voting, and racial equality in employment, education, and housing.

11. In 1944, NAACP lawyers won the landmark Supreme Court case Smith v
In 1944, NAACP lawyers won the landmark Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright, striking down all-white election primaries in Texas.

12. Under pressure, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, it outlawed discrimination in the U.S. civil service and in private establishments receiving federal defense contracts.

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

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

15. Black union membership doubled and African American wages quadrupled from $457 to $1,976 a year, approximately $600 less than whites.

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

17. When the war began, the army and navy rarely sent blacks into combat and relegated them to menial chores like kitchen duty and burial detail.

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

19. The Red Cross maintained different blood supplies for white and black soldiers.

20. U.S. military officials deployed all-black units such as the 761st Tank Battalion and the 99th Pursuit Squadron that compiled distinguished records in combat against the Nazis.

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

22. By 1944, the army and navy were experimenting with integration
By 1944, the army and navy were experimenting with integration. Most black soldiers, served in segregated companies commanded by white officers.

23. Throughout the war, African American soldiers bitterly complained about racial harassment on and near military installations.

24. Not surprisingly, black veterans were among the thousands of African Americans who joined the civil rights movement in the years following World War II.

25. A black soldiers writes to the president. Dear President Roosevelt :
“It was with extreme pride that I, a soldier in the Armed Forces…read the following affirmation…”

26. “Your use of the words ‘all persons, regardless of race, color, and creed’ means that we are fighting for ‘freedom, equality, and justice’ for our Negro Americans… ”

27. “On the home front …your issuance of Executive Order 8802 …to fight against the discriminatory employment practices …used against Negroes…is…part of the world struggle against tyranny.”

28. “But the picture in our country is marred by one the strangest paradoxes in our whole fight against world fascism. The U.S. Armed Forces, to fight for World Democracy, is within itself undemocratic.”

29. “The undemocratic policy of Jim Crow and segregation is practiced by our Armed Forces against its Negro members. Totally inadequate opportunities are given to the Negro members…”

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

31. “Just as our government in civilian life, is carrying on a fight for the full integration of the Negro…so in the Armed Forces our government must take up the same fight for the full integration…into all phases of our fighting…”

32. “…another Executive Order is now needed…whereby the Negro soldiers would be integrated…as fighting men, instead of segregated…housekeepers.”
Respectfully yours,
Charles F. Wilson,
Private, Air Corps