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The Desegregation of the United States Armed Forces

Prior to World War II, racial discrimination in the armed forces was severe, official, and widespread. The Army imposed a quota to keep the number of African Americans low and effectuated a policy that attempted to avoid situations in which a black service member could dictate orders to whites. The Navy limited African Americans to menial positions. The Marines excluded them altogether. However, by the mid-1950s, the desegregation of the armed forces was well underway, considerably ahead of similar developments in other sectors of society. Discover this important but oft-neglected chapter in American history.

Randall Kennedy is Michael R. Klein Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and the author of the forthcoming book From Protest to Law: Triumphs and Defeats of the Black Revolts, 1948–1968.

 











When: Tue., Dec. 18, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Where: The New York Society Library
53 E. 79th St.
212-288-6900
Price: General Admission $38; Members $24
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Prior to World War II, racial discrimination in the armed forces was severe, official, and widespread. The Army imposed a quota to keep the number of African Americans low and effectuated a policy that attempted to avoid situations in which a black service member could dictate orders to whites. The Navy limited African Americans to menial positions. The Marines excluded them altogether. However, by the mid-1950s, the desegregation of the armed forces was well underway, considerably ahead of similar developments in other sectors of society. Discover this important but oft-neglected chapter in American history.

Randall Kennedy is Michael R. Klein Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and the author of the forthcoming book From Protest to Law: Triumphs and Defeats of the Black Revolts, 1948–1968.

 

Buy tickets/get more info now