Objective Conditions
The clip below is from the BBC Tv Series, Face to Face. The series ran from 1959 to 1962. In this particular episode, Dr.Martin Luther King Jr talks about his childhood experiences and the incidents that led to the Montgomery bus boycott. These events shaped King's life and led to him becoming a national figurehead and civil rights leader. In the video at 6:18, he mentions how he was not able to use the swimming pool. Then at 6:35, he mentions not being able to go to the public parks. Then at 6:41, he mentions having to go to all black schools. Finally, at 7:00 he mentions not being able to go to certain schools. These are examples of the segregation and discrimination that African Canadians and Americans experienced.
This picture was taken in Windsor,Ontario. It depicts the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the only predominantly black battalion in Canadian military history and also the only Canadian Battalion composed of black soldiers to serve in World War I. The battalion's officers were all white with the exception of of one African-Canadian. When WW2 began, few blacks were serving in the Canadian military because of the racial attitudes prevalent at the time. Initially, some blacks attempted to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, but most were rejected. The Department of Militia and Defence's policy towards recruitment was to defer to the judgement of the individual commanding officer, and since many held deeply ingrained beliefs about the inferiority of blacks, very few were accepted. Rejected black recruits were often told that "this is a white man's war". However, an all-black battalion was eventually created.
The No.2 construction battalion was an all-male battalion. The battalion dressed like any other battalion would. In the picture, the battalion appears somber and are posing for an official picture. It may have very well been, their last picture before being sent off to England.
This photo was taken to be published. It was likely taken by a professional photographer. The photo was taken to remember the battalion.
The battalion's image must have inspired courage to other African-Canadians but many whites probably frowned upon the inclusion of Blacks in "their" war.
This photo signifies the segregation that African-Canadians suffered. They wanted to fight for their country and were denied the right to fight alongside their "brothers". Instead, they were regulated to a segregated battalion and were given limited roles. Their main role was cutting timber.
The No.2 construction battalion was an all-male battalion. The battalion dressed like any other battalion would. In the picture, the battalion appears somber and are posing for an official picture. It may have very well been, their last picture before being sent off to England.
This photo was taken to be published. It was likely taken by a professional photographer. The photo was taken to remember the battalion.
The battalion's image must have inspired courage to other African-Canadians but many whites probably frowned upon the inclusion of Blacks in "their" war.
This photo signifies the segregation that African-Canadians suffered. They wanted to fight for their country and were denied the right to fight alongside their "brothers". Instead, they were regulated to a segregated battalion and were given limited roles. Their main role was cutting timber.