A curious editorial from the First World War in which an unnamed writer (possibly W.E.B. Duboise) expressed that an African-American’s sense of patriotism in that era was based purely on America’s potential to be a judicious and fair nation:
“Did the Negroes leave America for Mexico, or the West Indies, or Africa? No, they became insulted at the mere suggestion. Despite horrible wrongs, they believed it eventually possible to realize here in America all their highest hopes and aspirations.”
This is a fine example illustrating the influence that George Creel and his Committee on Public Information had strong-arming the American magazine editors during the period of World War One. It should be remembered that the editors of THE CRISES believed that African-American participation in the war would only serve to benefit their standing in American society, but it is remarkable to read the attached patriotic article because it appeared during a time when race hatred was no where near subsiding.
Read an Article about Racial Integration in the U.S. Military
