The War at Home by William Molhoek

Summary

2014-08-28 14:45:37 UTC

After the war, black veterans were coming home wanting to register to vote. However, they were denied, one way or another. They were denied for not filling in their paperwork correctly or not giving correct answers to questions. Even, "How many suds are in a bar of soap" (109) was a question There was also much violence towards black veterans to further stop/punish them for registering. This includes the horrible beating and blinding of Isaac Woodard, a black veteran, whose story touched many people including President Truman.

2014-08-28 14:53:17 UTC

"Vote white, vote right!"

2014-08-28 14:59:29 UTC

Quote

2014-08-28 14:59:43 UTC

"If a Negro killed a white man, that was a capital crime. If a white man killed a Negro, there were usually extenuating circumstances." (125)

2014-08-28 15:08:54 UTC

Quote

2014-08-28 15:13:38 UTC

"To protect white power and preserve southern way of life, Bull Conner's Birmingham Police Department reportedly tried to blunt the registration campaign by waging a private war against returning veterans. In the first two months of 1946 as many half a dozen black veterans were reportedly killed by police officers from Birmingham and the surrounding communities" (124)

Take-Away

2014-08-30 00:17:11 UTC

If people's power is at risk, some will do anything to keep it. Even when it means denying a right that everyone should clearly have.