Civil Rights: Great Depression and World War II

1. “Insiders” and “Outsiders:”Civil Rights,Paul Robeson, Walter White, and the way American Politics Work.

2. Civil Rights: Great Depression and World War II • Changing governmental roles • Massive demographic change • War mobilization and Black Veterans • International ideological underpinnings of conflict

3. Ideology and Change • Looking at two men, not because they are the whole story • They serve as a metaphor for the ideological struggle facing Black America in the Great Depression and World War II • An example of American political discourse

4. Two Contemporaries, Two Stories • The “Outsider:” Paul Robeson and protest against American institutions • The “Insider:” Walter White and working the system

5. Paul Robeson (1898-1976) American Masters Link

6. Robeson’s “Ol Man River” Original Lyrics: Tote dat barge! Lif dat bale! Git a little drunk An’ you land in jail Ah gits weary An’ sick of tryin’ Ah’m tired of livin’ An’ skeered of dyin’ But Ol’ Man River He jest keep rollin’ along Robeson Lyrics: Tote that barge and Lift that bale Show a little grit And you lands in jail But I keeps laffin’ Instead of cryin’ I must keep fightin’ Until I dyin’ And Ol’ Man River He just keeps rollin' along

7. The CPUSA and Black America • Rhetoric of equality and economic message appealing • Gains credibility with “Scottsboro Boys” • Question of motive: Price of friendship

8. Robeson and Racial Activism Robeson was not afraid to cross racial barriers. Promotional photo with Peggy Ashcroft for 1930 London production of Othello

9. Walter White (1893-1955) • Anti-Lynching crusader • NAACP “organization man:” 1931 Exec. Sec. NAACP • Key in forging FDR’s New Deal coalition • Focus on Law and Politics

10. White’s NAACP’s and black activism • Legalistic approach • Targeted efforts and test cases • Legal victories, but little change for average black Americans • Criticized for being over-eager to compromise in order to maintain political ties

11. World War II and Change • The war changed the lives of millions of Black Americans • It would also change the lives of Robeson and White

12. Black Skepticism on the Eve of War • The World War I experience • Jim Crow military • Colonialism and war aims • A white man’s fight?

13. Poster of Navy Cross recipient Dorie Miller featured on a recruiting poster targeting African-Americans.

14. Robeson became a supporter of the war against Fascism, but primarily because of his fondness for the Soviets Favorite Songs of the Red Army and Navy (1942)

15. Robeson leading shipyard employees in singing “The Star Spangled Banner,” in Oakland, 1942

16. Robeson and Patriotism • How different were the goals Robeson supported from those espoused by the American government?

17. Walter White’s NAACP and Wartime Aims • Harnessing the political ties of the 1930s • Loyalty with conditions: Double “V” • Harnessing the power of the war’s ideological basis • Earning recognition for vital contribution of Black America

18. War and Racial Tension • Discrimination in the Armed Forces and war production creating discontent • Walter White, A. Philip Randolph, and the threatened march on Washington

20. Dividends of Loyalty A. Phillip Randolph and Eleanor Roosevelt

21. Federal Government as Ally • Quintessential NAACP: Bargain instead of March • Limited wartime concessions by FDR administration a turning point between White House and Black America.

22. American Law, International Stage • NAACP & the White Primary • Smith v. Allwright (1944) • Felix Frankfurter: “Not new facts, but a new political viewpoint.” • New relationship between Federal Law and Black America

24. Post-War Robeson • Remains committed to Stalin’s Soviet Union, despite misgivings • Derides Allies’ support of colonialism • Protests US Cold War attitude, wins Stalin Peace Prize, 1952 • Was he merely a tool of Stalin?

25. Stern Cold War Realities • Robeson’s actions destroyed him personally and professionally. • Loses passport rights 1950, banned from television, radio • His recordings disappear from stores • Retains supporters, but his moment has passed

26. Post-War White • Applauds some Communist platitudes in 1945, but remains committed to American international aims • Keeps American racism in international eye through the U.N. • Key in committing the NAACP to anticommunism. • Was he a tool of American foreign policy?

27. Walter White’s imprint • Harnesses the war to create a working relationship with the Federal Government • Links the goals of American Civil Rights with the democratic platitudes of anticommunism • Places focus of Civil Rights upon rights of citizenship instead of economics

28. Legacy of Robeson and White • Ironically, Robeson and White contributed to similar ends • The radicalism of Robeson made the leadership of White’s NAACP seem like a viable mainstream alternative • Policy shaped by vocal critics as well as political allies.