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African Americans during WWII - The Double V Campaign

In the years leading up to World War II, African Americans had made great strides in equality in the United States, according to Europeans. We now know that aside from ending slavery, the vast majority of African American lifestyles had not improved. Segregation was rampant and expected throughout the United States, including the armed forces. While the call went out for all able bodied Americans to come to the aid of their country, this did not include African Americans; most of whom still did not hold full citizenship. Civil Rights leader A. Philip Randolph staged a march on Washington, forcing President Roosevelt to sign Executive Order 8802 prohibiting government agencies and defense contractors from discriminating based on race, creed, color, or national origin. Still, even if hired, African Americans were segregated and not allowed promotions.

Having to settle for menial hard labor jobs was not a new concept for most African Americans. Put to work in janitorial positions and the service industries, they went to work in droves. The military, while not actively recruiting blacks, were certainly not turning anyone away. Active combat was not an option until late in 1941, but "service roles" needed to be filled, so African Americans again answered the call. Supporting the American war effort as cooks, medics, even providing escorts to combat battalions. The 332nd Fighter Group, known for the elite Tuskegee Airmen, became quite renowned for their work escorting U.S. Air Force bombers in the Pacific and Africa.

The efforts of such groups of African Americans overseas did not go unnoticed at home in the United States. The country was still unsteady about Civil Rights and what exactly this meant. Over the course of 40 years the United States had come through a near crippling Civil War, World War I, the Great Depression, and was now involved wholly in World War II. President Roosevelt rallied the nation to unite around the war effort, and Americans did just that. Including African Americans; not wanting to seem unpatriotic, the Civil Rights leaders of the time did not stage formal marches and rallies on the large stage until January 31, 1942.

One letter, penned by James G. Thompson and sent to the Pittsburgh Courrier, a prominent black newspaper, entitled "Should I sacrifice to live 'half -American'?" would set into motion the largest peaceful Civil Rights movement in history. Ira Lewis, editor of the Pittsburgh

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