YWCA Pamphlet on Racial Harmony in the Service, before Integration of the Armed Forces: Experiments in Democracy, 1940s

1944. [WWII] [African American] Experiments in Democracy. New York: USO Division of the Young Women's Christian Association, [1944]. Staple-bound illustrated wrappers showing photographs of Black and white integrated soldiers and USO women. 8vo. 80 pages including 16 photographs. This WWII era pamphlet records some of the steps the USO Division of the National Board YWCA has taken toward achieving its goals of "service to all involved in the war effort" and of "setting forward Negro-white relationships in America" before Truman Executive Order 9981 that finally integrated the armed Forces 4 years after our pamphlet. The pamphlet goes on to discuss the conditions which affect Black soldiers such as economics, lack o social agencies, educational cultural development and limited private recreation. One part of the pamphlet discusses interracial harmony, and the effect of congregation around music and performance has lead to mutual understanding between the races. In one instance, the USO Negro People's Chorus made up of Black servicemen, introduced communities in the West Coast to the cultural contribution of famous Black artists and was described as "a moving force for interracial understanding." USO had also planned interracial social activities such as a ping pong tournament in the Southwest in which the sharing of competitive sport, food, and refreshments proved to be successful in racial harmony. Many photographs show black and white soldiers, and USO members joyously sharing laughs over banquets, events, and music. One photograph shows a friendship between a white soldier and a Black soldier, the white man has his hand on the Black man's shoulders who is shown playing a saxophone. Other photos show interracial discussion groups to discuss the problems of the postwar world. Another photo shows a white soldier lighting a Black soldier's cigarette, and is captioned "No color lines in the front lines and no segregation in the hospitals for our war wounded!" Another photo shows an interracial group of women in welding uniforms and masks captioned "Along with welding airplanes these girls weld friendship between two races...." Another shows a Black nurse aiding a white serviceman. The pamphlet continues to showcase the successful contributions of the USO to bring about harmony between races with a timeline and some statistics. Some minor edge wear, overall very good condition. A pamphlet on the social activism lead by women of the YWCA to bring about racial justice to loyal Black servicemen and women before President Harry S. Truman Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948.