The World War II and African Americans
The World War II changed the social and economic conditions of the African Americans. They began to speak against racial discrimination. Language played part in shaping their conditions both economically and socially. This was implemented by holding campaigns which pushed for the freedom and rights of the African Americans. Prominent activists came up with new efforts and ways of curbing the problem of discrimination.
Changes for African Americans during World War II
The changes that World War II brought for the African Americas were contested and limited. The war created employment opportunities where the African Americas were allowed to economically participate and escape poverty. This was due to the development of companies and industries that led to increased demand for labor which the African Americans including the women were able to fill. They had previously been banned from serving the Army Air Corps and Marines but after the war, the number of African Americans who had jobs in deference industries increased. The whites were the ones that were mostly employed in the jobs that had better salaries but during and after the war, many African Americans men and women moved to cities all over the country in order to benefit from these job opportunities. They began to serve in the military in large numbers and they were now allowed to take up combat roles despite the discrimination that they faced in the military. They had been denied the chance to serve in positions like pilots because they were considered unintelligent and unqualified. They were also seen as incapable of fighting in battles. The Africa American servicemen who risked their lives fighting in the war could no longer tolerate the racism that they faced when they went back home. While in service, they had mixed attitudes because they felt despite fighting for the American nation, they were continuously denied freedom.
African American Women during World War II
During World War II, Africa American women played different roles. Some continued to embrace their traditional role of homemakers and caretakers while others went for new opportunities which they had been previously denied. They made weapons, built ships and aircraft and worked in the war industry. They were also employed in farms and factories where they drove trucks and performed other roles that were meant for men. Women also secured community roles such as nursing and joined organizations like the Red Cross. They were mostly asked to turn in materials that were required for the war such as fats needed in cooking.
Economic Impact of World War II on African Americans
Due to the economic prosperity brought about by World War II, Africa American couples who had deferred parenthood and marriage were empowered and this greatly increased the birth rate. However, the shortage of houses forced many couples to live in makeshift facilities or with their parents. The little housing could not meet the demand created by the rapidly growing population. The laws did not allow couples to divorce because the servicemen were absent thus the number of divorces increased when they returned.
Struggle for Civil Rights
The war made the African Americans realized that they were being treated unfairly and therefore they began to speak the language of rights. They wanted the racial discrimination that they were facing to stop and the government to start treating them like the rest of the Americans. The U.S armed forces resolution did not happen until after the war ended. Civil rights leaders such as Philip Randolph and Grant Reynolds made new efforts to stop discrimination in the military. They formed a committee which fought for equality of opportunities and treatment in the Army for citizens of all religions, national origins, and races. The executive order 9981 in July 1948 stopped racism in the military which finally led to the abolishment of discrimination in the services. The African Americans were involved in protests and riots in their efforts to stop discrimination. Their situations did not visibly improve for quite a while. However, many African American artists, musicians, and poets were recognized in the 1930s. Later in the 1960s, the African Americans were able to access colleges and universities. The Afrocentric cultural and historic movement in the 1980s encouraged new interest for scholarships for the African American community. New African American intellectuals arose in the media and publishing who were the spokespeople for their thoughts and scholarship.
Challenges after the War
Civil rights activism was also sparked by the war. Between the start and the time the war ended, the number of members of NAACP doubled. The 'Double V' campaign by the African Americans fought to stop fascism. Despite this campaign, their demands were not met for a long time. After the war, some companies did not employ African Americans and those who were employed earned 50 percent of what the whites earned.
Conclusion
The World War II affected the African Americans both socially and economically. It inspired them to campaign for their rights and fight for equality and freedom. Racism is still a great challenge and a major conflict in the United States of America. However, the war played part in upholding some of the social and economic rights of the African Americans.
References
Annenberg Learner (Firm), & Films Media Group. (2015). World War II.
INDEX. (n.d.). Race and Renaissance, 315-328. doi:10.2307/j.ctt5vkdqp.14
