1. In the Army

When the average white American soldier surveys his army, he sees it not as one unit, but as two distinct organizations: an American army and a Negro army. This sordid scene has been painted by the War Department, thinking it a graphic solution to racial problems in the Army. But the need for a mixed regiment is merely one aspect of this shallow picture the War Department has produced. There are others.

In all fairness to the Army, however, it has been more alert and has done more towards the integration of the Negro into its ranks than has the Navy. But this integration has been more of a condescending acceptance of the Negro--because men are needed to fight wars--than a serious and sincere attempt to make him an actual part of the Army.

Although mixed Officers' Candidate Schools have been established, democracy in the ranks is still lacking. The refusal by the War Department of proposals for a mixed regiment has been one of the contributing factors to low morale among Negroes. So, too, has the failure of the Army to educate the soldier on racial problems, to offset prejudices not only against the Negro in the United States, but against our colored allies throughout the world. The War Department did not believe such information was necessary since "the colored soldier had won the respect of his white comrades." Meanwhile, minute data has been issued to American soldiers on how to act towards the English, with whom the doughboy has more in common than with those of different background and racial stock.

While the War Department says that the Negro has the respect of his fellow while soldier, race prejudice continues in the Army, principally from men of Southern origin. Australians, encountering the American Negro for the first time, met him on equal ground an said, "We were told by white American soldiers that all Negroes are cannibals, illiterates, savages, and that they will rape our women. We were told that all Negroes were ragged and diseased." The English, too, were surprised at the racial prejudices in the American Expeditionary Force, and from pub to Parliament have criticized this "American way."

The basic criticism of the Army is that while some concessions have been made to the Negro, he is continually being treated as a second-class citizen. A revision of the War Department policy of segregation as a solution to racial problems; methods of educating the Army to the racial issues; redress of the prejudiced actions of military and civilian police towards colored soldiers; and better attitudes from white soldiers are the changes present dislocated traditions can bring; changes that are stepping stones to a more democratic future for the Negro. Although he still remains skeptical about the protestations of Americans asserting the Four Freedoms aim of the war, the Negro has hope, faith, and loyalty to the liberal ideals of the nation. It remains an unanswered question however, whether America will see fit to utilize fully this Negro citizen, who, ironically, must fight for the right to fight for democracy. S. A. K.