On Cassette: Frank Marshall Davis, 10

Davis continues to speak about the pressure brought by African-American editors on the War Department over segregation and the role of blacks in the military.

Although he was unable to attend a December 8, 1941, meeting of black editors and publishers with Gen. George C. Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, Davis advised his publisher, Claude Barnett, to tell Marshall that it was not right that the fight against Nazism should be fought by two armies instead of one.  At the very least, he advised, the Army should allow the creation of a volunteer force.

General Marshall told the editors that the military was not constituted to make social changes or change social attitudes.

According to Davis, these arguments had little effect until the Battle of the Bulge, when a shortage of infantry forced the Army to shift policy and permit black servicemen to train and serve in combat units.

Davis also felt it was his duty to publish reports about race riots and the mistreatment of African-American servicemen w in or out of uniform, on or off base.  He believes the root of the problem was the desire of Southern officers and troops to maintain their superior status.

Davis also speaks briefly about the status of African-Americans in trade unions.  Finally, he states his belief that the struggle is not over.