Bass and Beyond
Articulating a Dual Victory
Discover the significance of the Double V campaign, a powerful movement led by Black Americans during World War II. As they fought for victory abroad, they also demanded victory against racial discrimination at home. Learn how Black journalists and activists rallied the nation to support this dual struggle.
Articulating a Dual Victory
The Double V Campaign, coined in 1942 by the Pittsburgh Courier, aimed to achieve a “double victory” for African Americans: victory abroad in World War II and victory at home against racism and segregation. While the movement gained national traction, its manifestation on the West Coast reflected a unique interplay of military contributions, industrial opportunities, and the enduring fight against systemic racism. Spearheaded by dynamic leaders and amplified by a vibrant Black press, the campaign became a rallying cry for equity and justice in the region.
Leaders and Local Advocates
On the West Coast, Black leaders like Charlotta Bass of the California Eagle and journalist Loren Miller played pivotal roles in advancing the Double V Campaign. Bass, as the editor and publisher of the California Eagle, was relentless in highlighting the hypocrisies of fighting for democracy abroad while enduring Jim Crow laws at home. Her newspaper became a beacon for mobilizing support, exposing discrimination, and holding local industries accountable for discriminatory hiring practices.
Similarly, Loren Miller, a lawyer and civil rights activist, used his voice to challenge racial discrimination in housing and employment. Both Bass and Miller not only amplified the campaign’s goals but also connected the West Coast’s struggles to the broader fight for racial equity across the nation.
Black Media and Advocacy
Black newspapers on the West Coast, including the California Eagle, The Los Angeles Sentinel, and The Oakland Tribune, were central to the Double V Campaign. These outlets served as platforms for galvanizing support, sharing victories, and confronting systemic racism.
The California Eagle, under Bass’s leadership, published stories about discrimination in war industries, such as shipyards and aircraft manufacturing plants, which were booming due to the war effort. Despite promises of equal opportunity, Black workers often faced outright exclusion or were relegated to low-paying, dangerous positions. By exposing these injustices, West Coast Black media held companies accountable and demanded fair hiring practices.
Major Wins of the Movement
The efforts of Double V activists on the West Coast resulted in several significant victories. One notable success was the integration of the war industries. Organizations like the Urban League of Los Angeles worked tirelessly to pressure companies and the government to enforce Executive Order 8802, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941. This order banned discriminatory practices in defense-related jobs and led to increased employment opportunities for Black workers in the region.
The campaign also inspired grassroots organizing and solidarity among Black communities, resulting in the desegregation of military facilities in Southern California. Advocates fought for equal access to public housing projects that had previously excluded Black families, opening new avenues for socioeconomic mobility.
A Legacy of Resistance
The Double V Campaign on the West Coast demonstrated the power of coordinated activism and the indispensable role of Black media in driving change. Leaders like Charlotta Bass and Loren Miller leveraged their platforms to push for accountability and equality, setting the stage for future civil rights advancements. While the movement aimed for a “double victory,” its ultimate legacy was a relentless pursuit of justice that resonates to this day, inspiring ongoing efforts to confront racial inequities in America.