Coming of Age in Mississippi | Historical Context

African Americans in the 1940s
World War II offered increasing economic opportunities for many African Americans, as the war machine demanded soldiers and factory workers. Almost one million African-American soldiers served in the armed forces; however, they were forced to serve in segregated units. Most were kept out of combat. Although at first many war plants would not hire African Americans or would only hire them as janitors, the 1941 Fair Employment Practices Committee changed this practice. It helped protect African Americans from employment...

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