Role of African American's in 1940's society.

During the 1940's African Americans were needed more then ever before. During the beginning of WWII African Americans enlisted to serve their country but were given grunge jobs. The minority group rose up and kept fighting for their rights and eventually 5% of African American troops were given the opportunity to see live combat. While African Americans were fighting the racial battle and the battle against the Japanese and Germans, the African Americans back state side had it pretty good. Although discrimination in the work place was still evident African Americans were getting the highest paying jobs of their lives. It was during this time that they decided it was time for them to get equal treatment. The Pittsburgh Courier, which was a well know "black" newspaper started the "Double V" campaign; Victory abroad against fascism and Victory against racism.  

Mile Markers for the civil rights act in the 1940's

• June 25, 1941 Franklin Roosevelt passed executive order 8802, which prohibited employers from discriminating based on race, creed, color or national origin.
• In 1940, Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American performer to win an Academy Award (the film industry`s highest honor) for her portrayal of a loyal slave governess in Gone With the Wind.
• 1942 Committee of Racial Equality, later renamed Congress of Racial Equality, is founded.
• In 1944 U.S. Supreme Court decides, in Smith v. Allwright, that exclusion of African-Americans from voting in the Texas Democratic primary violates the Fifteenth Amendment.
• In 1947 Jackie Robinson plays his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, becoming the first African American player in major league baseball since the 1880s.
•  July 26, 1948, Truman issued the executive order 9981, which established equal treatment and equal opportunity in the military. 
• In 1949 Administration proposes legislation to make lynching a federal crime,  abolish poll taxes in national elections, and end segregation in interstate transportation, but none of the bills are brought to a vote in the Senate.