In Chapter 10
The author's primary claim was that politicians and labor unions helped African Americans in their fight for better living conditions. They were forced out of employment during the Great Depression so that white people could find work (217). The Democratic Party, which promised to improve their living conditions through the New Deal (219), which promoted union representation for all workers, including African Americans, attracted them after the Republican Party failed to meet their requirements. African Americans were able to "exercise their right to vote and protest unfair treatment" thanks to these organizations. (223). Additionally, African Americans protested against legal lynching in order to demand improved treatment from the legal system. (219).These protests were supported by communists and "politicians advocating federal anti-lynching legislation, which failed" (221).
In Chapter 11
The author’s main argument was that African Americans fought for full inclusion as American citizens despite being denied the opportunity to exercise their rights as American citizens.
They joined the army but were not allowed to fly airplanes (240). However, this did not stop them from trying, and they took the opportunity when the army allowed them to learn how to fly by opening a flight school for them (245). In addition, they faced employment discrimination during the Second World War since the defense industry either did not hire them, or if they were hired, it was as servants or labor brigades (241). However, they still trained for "combat although they were assigned noncombat duties" (244).
Conclusion
These two chapters give insight on the struggles of African Americans in employment discrimination, partial inclusion, and their determination to be treated as full American citizens.
