The Negro Soldier is a World War II film released in 1944. The film was propaganda used by the Army to persuade black men to enlist and fight in WWII. During World War II, the United States and the Armed Forces both were still segregated. Jim Crow laws were in full effect at the onset of WWII. Black men and women were still being lynched. However, the U.S. Armed Forces needed additional men to fight in the war. The Negro Soldier film was used to influence black men to enlist.
The film begins at the start of a church service. The congregation is all black. There is a large American flag displayed. The preacher speaks of how America has always guarded liberty. He references Crispus Attucks being the first to die in the Boston Massacre. Furthermore, he talks of how people of the new world won their independence. As he continues, there are images portraying black soldiers working alongside and being equal to white soldiers. There is no mention of slavery and segregation. However, there are words regarding the building of the railroad. There are images of blacks smiling happily as they move west. Additionally, the preacher mentions how they must fight for the successful Negroes. They must save Tuskegee University from Nazis.
The Negro Soldier film was created to convince blacks that Hitler was their enemy. Say it in church and it becomes more believable. Promises of regular wages, possible officer pay, honor, and prestige can entice many people. The film doesn’t mention that German Prisoners of War (POWs) were treated better than black soldiers. The film also doesn’t mention that the Armed Forces had official policies regarding maintaining segregation. Segregation was an official policy until 1948. Discrimination was an unofficial policy for decades later. Nevertheless, the country needed more men to enlist. The Negro Soldier film was one of the ways it reached its goal. The film ends in prayer, patriotic music, and marching Negro soldiers.