The Burma Road Riot Essay

The increased migration of African-Americans to northern cities because of the decline in agricultural opportunities in the South and later for the war effort caused increased racial tension and riots as the black population had more of a presence in the close proximity of the urban environment. The worst riot during the war was in Detroit during the summer of 1943 where a fight broke out in Belle Isle Park between black and white men. Rumors of the fight and of rape spread and with it the riot did as well lasting for four days with 25 African-Americans and 5 whites dead and two million dollars of property damage occurring. Riots were obviously terrible occurrences but by occurring during war time when the government was most aware of domestic discontent that could harm the war effort, the riots acted as

At the time Miller could only serve as a messman in the Navy the publicization of his story served as an example of African-American competency in battle. Publicization by the Government of the black boxer Joe Lewis, who was widely popular with both whites and blacks, as a symbol of heroism, patriotism and black military significance subtly makes a statement about the ability of African-Americans in war and also demonstrates how the war incited an increased interest about African American public opinion. Those who did participate were often subjected to poor or unsafe working conditions. The Port-Chicago disaster which killed 320 people 202 of those being african americans whom performed backbreaking work without training loading ammunition onto ships, with white officers making bets on how much they could load, thus speeding up the process and causing the unsafe environment that led to the disaster. The Considered by most officers to be inferior soldiers African-Americans were rarely sent overseas. There were notable exceptions to this like the famed Tuskegee Airmen and the 761st