Not everyone stood together in WWII
A recent writer suggested Americans “all stood together” during World War II.
The reality is many Americans were forced to stand apart despite their contributions to the effort. Black servicemen fought in segregated units like the Tuskegee Airmen, yet faced Jim Crow laws while serving. Japanese-Americans fought in segregated units like the highly decorated 442nd.
Meanwhile their families – American citizens – were held in internment camps. Hispanic-Americans were assaulted by white service members in the “Zoot Suit Riots” in Southern California.
Twelve black workers at shipyards in Mobile, Ala., were promoted to skilled jobs to facilitate the war effort. In April of 1943, angry white workers drove them out in a race riot. The National Guard was called to restore order, and the black workers remained off the job for several weeks.