The Impact of the Two World of Black America Essay

The Impact of the Two World of Black America - Essay Example The First World War did not reduce but, on the contrary, increased racial opposition between white and African-American citizens. Racial tensions were accompanied by serious economic and social controversies. At the beginning of the Second World War, military institutions and forces in America continued to reflect racial tendencies in society, refusing to willingly accept Black soldiers. Despite those controversies, WWII became the turning point in the development of new racial relations in America. Changes in military structures, the rise in racial awareness, and wartime intercultural education shaped the ground for restructuring the entire system of racial relations in contemporary American state. WWI and racism in America World War I was the time when the lives of African-Americans became virtually unbearable. That was also when racism and racial antagonism became serious barriers to effective military action in America. â€Å"World War I brought the American South to the brink o f momentous change, with the sense of energy and opportunity that accompanied mobilization on the home front† (Hudson 2009, p.3). ... Failure to engage Black citizens in military service distorted the picture of citizenship in America and reduced its chances to ensure loyal service (Lentz-Smith 2009). White supremacy before and during WWI were both tragic and inevitable. Blacks had little opportunity to change their situation to the better. It would be fair to say that WWI did not change the place and position of Blacks in America; moreover, it deepened the conflicts between Blacks and Whites, leading to the subsequent reaffirmation of white supremacy at all levels of the country’s social hierarchy. Davis (2008) tells the story of an African American soldier getting back home after the end of WWI. An exception rather than the rule, Blacks’ involvement in military actions was a continued source of controversy. More serious were the consequences of Blacks’ participation in the military: upon his return to Blakely, Georgia, the young soldier was met by a group of white men and forced to put off hi s uniform (Davis 2008). He was also threatened not to wear the uniform in public (Davis 2008). However, the young man ignored the threat and, for this reason, was lynched by a mob (Davis 2008). Lynching had to send an explicit message to all African American soldiers throughout the state: that they sacrificed their lives and health to protect the liberty of their people would not lead to racial equality (Sollors 1996). The lynched soldier became the hero of African American literature during the 1930s, but even the popularization of the soldier’s image could not change the situation. WWI further intensified the conflicts between African-Americans and the white majority. Lynching was just one example of open racial discrimination in America