Ralph Appelbaum Associates

The National WWII Museum’s exhibition, Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII, highlights the military service, civilian contributions, and activism of African Americans during the WWII era, framed within the socio-political dynamics of the time. Central to the exhibition is the concept of Double Victory, which reflects the struggle of African Americans fighting against fascism abroad while confronting systemic racism at home.

The exhibition is organized into three sections: Pre-War, War Years, and Post-War. In the Pre-War section, visitors learn about African American experiences in the military and society prior to WWII, illustrated through the graphic Democracy vs. Mobocracy. A historical overview traces African American military service from 1688 to 1941, emphasizing the fight for equality.

The War Years section delves into African American contributions and activism during the war, divided into the Homefront and Overseas zones. This area highlights the social and political dynamics of the era, showcasing how African Americans fought against both Hitler and Jim Crow.

Finally, the Post-War section examines the challenges faced by African Americans returning home after the war. Visitors learn how the military experiences of these veterans laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement, ultimately leading to significant changes like President Truman’s Executive Order 9981 in 1948, which ended military segregation. The exhibition concludes by exploring the lasting impact of these experiences on our lives today, fostering greater appreciation for the contributions of African Americans during WWII.