Right To Fight
"It is time to wake up Washington as it has never been shocked before."
~ A. Philip Randolph, Civil Rights Leader, 1941
~ A. Philip Randolph, Civil Rights Leader, 1941
Dr. Seuss June 29, 1942 Political Cartoon (PBS. org.)
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With World War II raging overseas, Roosevelt became concerned with national security. America had 350,000 troops while Hitler's military exceeded 2 million in the Western Front alone. By the summer of 1940, Congress had approved 12 million in defense spending. With Americans still out of work due to the Great Depression, this created many jobs. However, defense contractors denied Negroes employment.
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"Labor has been asked to make many sacrifices in the war and has made them gladly, but this sacrifice [the admission of Black members] is too great."
~ Seattle District Organizer for the International Association of Machinists, 1941
~ Seattle District Organizer for the International Association of Machinists, 1941
Historians Martha Biondi and David Lucander (New York Historical Society)
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Blacks also wanted equal opportunities in the military and saw fighting overseas as fighting for their civil rights.
Pittsburgh Courier, 1942
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"Jim Crow street cars for Jews... How much like our dear old Southland this sounds. First Germany robs the Jews of property, jobs,and schooling and then insists that they are inferior as a race and diseased."
~ Baltimore Afro-American Journalist, 1896 |
"We summon you to mass action that is orderly and lawful, but aggressive and militant, for justice, equality and freedom."
~ A. Philip Randolph, Civil Rights Leader, 1941
~ A. Philip Randolph, Civil Rights Leader, 1941
A. Philip Randolph March on Washington Letter to Walter White. (Library of Congress)
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Civil Rights leader, A. Philip Randolph, met with Roosevelt asking for equal military and industry job opportunities. Unsatisfied with Roosevelt’s response, Randolph organized a March on Washington for July 1st,1941 for equal treatment in the defense industry. Blacks called for "Victory Abroad and Victory at Home"; The Double V.
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Front Page of Flyer for the March on Washington. (Library of Congress)
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