Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019

Williams gives a brief overview of African American involvement in World War II. Over 1.2 million enlisted over the course of the war. However, after registering for the draft, many faced discrimination and segregation in their units. Jim Crow was a part of the military as well as the country. Sometimes, writes Williams, the Army treated “German POWs with more respect than Black servicemen” (308).

Over half a million African Americans served overseas, but many were relegated to labor duty. The Air Corps evolved the most during the war. A high-ranking service member resigned in protest when his Black airmen were not allowed to take part in combat, even though they were needed.

Isaac Woodard was a decorated Black soldier who fought in World War II. After serving with honor, he traveled home to South Carolina. On the way, he got into an argument with the bus driver, who refused to let him use the restroom. At the next stop, police officers arrived and beat Woodward so badly he went blind.

After World War II ended, the Black Left wanted the postwar period to involve a reorganization of political and economic structures. Black manifestos envisioned a redistribution of wealth. Society disagreed, and mistrust of the left intensified.