Based on the letters in “Black Soldiers and the Double Victory,” how did the wartime experience shape the attitudes of African Americans toward military service and the goals of the war itself? How would these letters and the military experiences they documented have shaped the campaign for civil rights embraced by black activists and journalists in the Double V campaign on the homefront?
Black Soldiers and the Double Victory (Unit 2) I. The Pittsburgh Courier and the Double V Slogan The first document below is a letter to editor of the Pittsburgh Courier, a major black newspaper with a national circulation, by James Thompson a black resident of Wichita, Kansas. After publishing Thompson’s letter, the following week the Courier staff included a full page “Double Victory” logo (pictured below), and began incorporating the symbol in the masthead on the paper’s front page. On February 14, the Courier ran its own editorial, drawing attention to its new slogan and explaining the principles the editorial staff believed were behind the “Double V.” James Thompson, “Letter to the Pittsburgh Courier” (Jan. 31, 1942) Like all true Americans, my greatest desire at this time, this crucial point of our history; is a desire for a complete victory over the forces of evil, which threaten our existence today. Behind that desire is also a desire to serve, this, my country, in the most advantageous way. Most of our leaders are suggesting that we sacrifice every other ambition to the paramount one, victory. With this I agree; but I also wonder if another victory could not be achieved at the same time. After all, the things that beset the world now are basically the same things which upset the equilibrium of nations internally, states, counties, cities, homes and even the individual. Being an American of dark complexion and some 26 years, these questions flash through my mind: "Should I sacrifice my life to live half American?" "Will things be better for the next generation in the peace to follow?" "Would it be demanding too much to demand full citizenship rights in exchange for the sacrificing of my life." "Is the kind of America I know worth defending?" "Will America be a true and pure democracy after this war?" "Will colored Americans suffer still the indignities that have been heaped upon them in the past?" These and other questions need answering; I want to know, and I believe every colored American, who is thinking, wants to know. This may be the wrong time to broach such subjects, but haven't all good things obtained by men been secured through sacrifice during just such times of strife? I suggest that while we keep defense and victory in the forefront that we don't lose sight of our fight for true democracy at home. The "V for Victory" sign is being displayed prominently in all so-called democratic countries which are fighting for victory over aggression, slavery and tyranny. If this V sign means that to those now engaged in this great conflict then let colored Americans adopt the double VV for a double victory. The first V for victory over our enemies from without, the second V for victory over our enemies within. For surely those who perpetrate these ugly prejudices here are seeing to destroy our democratic form of government just as surely as the Axis forces…. Though these questions often permeate my mind, I love American and am willing to die for the America I know will someday become a reality. “The Double Victory Campaign,” Pittsburgh Courier (Feb. 14, 1942) Last week, without any public announcement or fanfare, the editors of The Courier introduced its war slogan—; double "V" for a double victory to colored America. We did this advisedly because we wanted to test the response and popularity of such a slogan with our readers. The response has been overwhelming. Our office has been inundated with hundreds of telegrams and letters of congratulations, proving that without any explanation, this slogan represents the true battle cry of colored America.... This week, we offer the following explanation: Americans all, are involved in a gigantic war effort to assure the victory for the cause of freedom – the four freedoms that have been so nobly expressed by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill. We, as colored Americans, are determined to protect our country, our form of government, and the freedoms we cherish for ourselves and the rest of the world.... Therefore we have adopted the Double "V" war cry…. Thus in our fight for freedom we wage a two-pronged attack against our enslavers at home and those abroad who would enslave us. WE HAVE A STAKE IN THIS FIGHT. WE ARE AMERICANS TOO! II. Letters from African American Soldiers Throughout World War II, it was common for soldiers, female volunteers in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), and their families to write to black newspapers and magazines, explaining their wartime experiences and grievances. The following collection of letters and essays are taken from the Pittsburgh Courier, the Chicago Defender, and the Crisis, the official newsletter of the NAACP. Anonymous, “Letter to the Baltimore Afro-American” (Jun. 26, 1943) I have come before you today to plead the case of the Negro Officer in the United States Army. His responsibility to the government and the request being made to him by the Negro soldier. Our purpose is two fold and delicate. It is delicate because this government at war has not yet agreed to accept the Negro soldier as a definite part of the fighting machine. Where the laxity on the part of the Army to accept the Negro soldier lies, I do not know. History has proven, above all, that we are loyal. Gentlemen, I would like for you to picture the position I, or any other Negro officer, holds here at Keesler Field. In the first place Keesler is reluctant to accept the Negro soldier. Instead of definitely making or upholding the War Department laws, there have been unofficial efforts down here to relegate the Negro soldier to the same position that he held in civilian life.… Negroes are segregated by unofficial sanction. Take for instance the War Department theatre. Here, the Negro is segregated against the orders of the War Department. Signs referring to race and creed are hung in direct difiance to regulations. The Negro soldier is seated to one side of the theatre. Yet when the theatre is crowded the white soldier comes over into the Negro section for a seat. It is my judgement that racial prejudices are being instilled and forced upon a large group of intelligent and progressive minded white soldiers. This soldier is forced not to sit with the Negro soldier until the place is crowded and then the color bar is forgotten. If it can be forgotten so quickly, why is it established?... In the case of the Service Club, this field offers the very poor substitute to its Negro soldiers—the day room. I don’t have to say that this is no substitute. For a day room cannot offer the entertainment and facilities of a service club. The same situation is true of the library. Several Negro soldiers went to the library to borrow books and almost created a calamity. Although the men there invited them back at any time and acted cordial, the next morning they set up a poor excuse for a library in the day room of a Negro squadron. Gentlemen, this action could not or would not have been taken without the command of some commissioned officer. Then, there is the most painful case of all. I, a commissioned officer of the United States Army, am denied the rights and privileges of an officer. I am excluded by members of my own rank and station in the Army. I am denied the privilege to use the Officer’s Club. Although members of my race are used as waiters and general help around the club, I am denied the privilege of using it. It has been a source of embarrassment for a Negro soldier working there to ask me if I am denied the privilege of the club. I ask you, gentlemen, what would you say or do if a soldier, who respected you as an officer of the Army, knew that you, an officer sworn to uphold and defend the principles of this democracy, were being denied the very thing you are and asking them to lay down their life for. How can we demand the respect of men under our command when we are not respected by members of our own rank?... At the first touch of these injustices, the men of my race naturally turn to me, a commissioned officer, to explain the reasons and policies of the government. Am I to tell them that the great and powerful government of the United States of America is being swayed by a small state government? I ask you, gentlemen, what am I to say? Am I to admit that we are fighting for ideals for another country or people when America has not yet established these ideals at home? These are the problems of the Negro officer. He is being constantly appealed to by the men under his command to correct the injustices that exist on the post and yet, the post, knowing that these injustices do exist, take no step to correct them. What would you do?... In conclusion, I say that the Army is not only to build soldiers but useful citizens in the post war regardless of race. However, if these injustices continue to exist I am fearful that the United States shall see one tenth of her Army indifferent and somewhat disappointed in their belief of our creed, “Liberty and justice for All.”\ Keesler Army Air Base Biloxi, Mississippi Private John S. Lyons, “Letter to the Pittsburgh Courier” (Dec. 14, 1943) Conditions at this base being deplorable for colored soldiers, we as a group thought that your paper would be interested. There is an instance of our present Commanding Officer throwing away a colored soldier’s discharge papers. The soldier in question is still with the squadron. The proof is here. Another instance of this Texas officer, is two soldiers were put in the guardhouse for failure to report for duty after working the night before. If we demur we are threatened with the guardhouse, or being beat up. The whole base here is rotten with prejudice and discrimination. Most southern officers consider their war won, if he can do anything to retard colored soldiers’ morale. At base headquarters, conditions are much the same. The few that could, and would help our squadron are of course overruled