Promises of Citizenship: Film Recruitment of African Americans in World War II

The US citizenship has been linked to military service, but blacks fought and died in all American wars, their freedom was usually restricted or denied. World War II exposed this contradiction, and the federal government turned to mass media to generate African American enthusiasm. Kathleen M. German's study intersects three disciplines: the history of the African American experience in World War II, the theory of documentary film, and the study of rhetoric. The main film of the war era, The Negro Soldier, presented a more dignified public image of African Americans and transformed the black volunteer into an able soldier. It included African Americans in the national mythology by retelling American history to recognize black participation and performed rhetorical work by advancing the agenda of black citizenship.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 274 pages
\n Publication date: 30 December 2018
\n Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
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Since the nation's inception, US citizenship has been intricately intertwined with military service. Despite the valiant contributions of African Americans in all American wars, their own freedom often remained restricted or denied. However, World War II served as a watershed moment that exposed this contradiction in stark relief. As the demand for manpower surged during the conflict, government officials and military leaders recognized the indispensable role that African Americans could play in achieving victory. To cultivate African American enthusiasm, the federal government resorted to mass media, producing and distributing a series of government films that have largely gone unnoticed by scholars. In her groundbreaking study, Kathleen M. German delves into the complex dilemma of race and the federal government's attempts to appeal to black patriotism and pride, while simultaneously postponing demands for equality and integration until victory was secured.

German's research spans three interrelated disciplines: the history of African American experiences during World War II, the theory of documentary filmmaking, and the study of rhetoric. One of the pivotal films of the war era, "The Negro Soldier," shattered the long-standing tradition of degrading minstrel caricatures by presenting a more dignified public image of African Americans. Alongside other government films, "The Negro Soldier" played a crucial role in transforming the black volunteer into an capable soldier. By retelling American history in a way that recognized black participation, these films contributed to the inclusion of African Americans in the national mythology. As German reveals, through this new narrative featuring more dignified images, "The Negro Soldier" and other films performed a rhetorical function by advancing the agenda of black citizenship.

In conclusion, US citizenship has been closely linked to military service since the nation's founding. While African Americans fought and sacrificed for their country, their own freedom was often limited or denied. World War II marked a turning point, as government officials and military leaders recognized the indispensable role of African Americans in achieving victory. Through mass media and government films, the federal government sought to cultivate black enthusiasm and promote a more positive image of African Americans. Kathleen M. German's study sheds light on the complex dynamics between race, the federal government, and the promotion of black citizenship during World War II. By examining the impact of government films, such as "The Negro Soldier," on shaping public perception and advancing the agenda of black equality, her work contributes to a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural significance of this period.

\n Weight: 422g\n
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781496823335\n \n