A civil rights initiative during World War II known as the Double V campaign advocated for dual victories: over fascism abroad, and racial injustice in the United States. The campaign, launched by an influential Black newspaper, called out discrimination and segregation faced by Black workers and military personnel.
“In many cases, the military turned away Black volunteers who had advanced degrees from Harvard, who had language capabilities, who had scientific backgrounds, only because of the color of their skin,” Matthew Delmont, a historian at Dartmouth, told Retro Report.
The Double V campaign spotlighted the contradiction of fighting for freedom abroad while enduring racial oppression here in the U.S. It fueled the growing civil rights movement and underscored the push for social justice on both global and national fronts.
“Black folks were making the connection that this war for freedom wasn’t just a war for freedom over there, it was for freedom here as well,” Carol Anderson a historian at Emory, said in an interview.
Under increasing pressure from Black activists, in 1942 President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order outlawing discrimination in the defense industries. That year the Marine Corps began accepting Black recruits and other branches created all-Black units like the Tuskegee Airmen.
"We were always in support roles," said retired First Sergeant Jack McDowell, who is Black. "Of course, there were no Black officers. You could have a doctorate degree and you couldn’t become an officer in the Marine Corps."
Despite their wartime service, Black veterans returned home to a country where views on race had changed very little. It wasn’t until 1948 that President Harry Truman integrated the military by executive order. “I want people to know that we did our part and we did it well, McDowell told us. "You can’t take that away from us.”
This story was narrated by Cara Anthony of KFF Health News.
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