Resource
African American Experiences
Sowing the seeds of change during World War II
During World War II African Americans served in segregated units and faced discrimination. Despite this treatment as second class citizens, African Americans served bravely, fighting to uphold the values of democracy. Learn about how their experiences during the war sowed the seeds of change post war, and hear Dr. Christopher Hamner, associate professor at George Mason University and part of ABMC's Understanding Sacrifice program, analyze some of these real-life examples that were used during the war.
Sources
Primary Sources
- Letter from W. E. B. Du Bois to United States Selective Service System, November 19, 1940 Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
- Letter from Selective Service System to W. E. B. Du Bois, December 7, 1940 Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
- Letter from W. E. B. Du Bois to United States Office of War Information, June 23, 1942 Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
- Negro carrying sign in front of milk company. Chicago, Illinois Library of Congress (LC-USF34-063103-D)
Learn More
- The Negro Soldier, 1944 National Archives and Records Administration (111-OF-51)
- Pictures of African Americans During World War II National Archives and Records Administration
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Christopher Hamner
Dr. Christopher Hamner is the lead historian for the Understanding Sacrifice program. He teaches at George Mason University, and is the author of Enduring Battle: American Soldiers in Three Wars, 1776-1945. From 2014 to 2016 he was a Visiting Professor at the U.S. Army War College, and in 2012 received Mason's Teaching Excellence Award.