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May 22, 2017
NOW YOU KNOW
The Double V Campaign
When the U.S. entered World War II in 1941,
about 2.5 million African Americans volunteered or
were drafted into the military. Black soldiers willingly served and fought valiantly, but were still
subject to the Jim Crow laws that prevailed
throughout America. It was difficult to see past the
hypocrisy of the war when black soldiers were
housed separately in inferior quarters, given separate training and weapons, paid less than white
soldiers and even seated behind German and Italian prisoners-of-war for entertainment events, including USO shows. Even the military’s blood
supply for the wounded was segregated by race
and race riots often occurred although word of discord in the ranks often went unreported by the
press.
The advancement of democracy abroad without
the justice and democracy at home was a pressing question for many blacks. In response to a letter by one of it’s readers, The Pittsburg Courier,
one of the most influential black newspapers in
the U.S., created the Double V Campaign. James
G. Thompson, a cafeteria worker, wrote “Should I
Sacrifice to Live ‘Half American?’” advocating for a
’double VV’ for dual victory over enemies to the
country and enemies opposed to equality, justice
and democracy at home. Well-received by the
newspaper’s readers, the Courier launched a
huge publicity campaign; lapel pins, stickers, signature songs and even hairstyles were coined to
attract attention from the public. The campaign
ran weekly and it’s popularity spread to other
black newspapers. Soon there were Double V
Gardens, baseball games, beauty pageants, and
dances. A few celebrity and political endorsements followed. The Courier also urged the purchase of war bonds and participation in civilian
defense. Double V Clubs formed sending care
packages to solders overseas, writing letters to
Congress to protest poll taxes and meeting with
businessmen about nondiscriminatory hiring
practices.
Events for Contractors and
Small Business Owners
Business Partnership Forum Learn about programs for
diverse businesses. The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) hosts the 2017
Business Partnership Forum, Thursday, June 1, 2017
at the Tacoma Convention Center. New elements have
been added. Register here.
Benefits from participation in the Business
Partnership Forum include:
Highlight businesses that are state certified as minority-, women-, and veteran-owned with ribbons on
nametags.
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Opportunities for networking with agencies.
One-on-one match making between buyers and
businesses that provide IT and Green products.
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Monthly surveys of diverse businesses for one year after the event to help identify opportunities for and support businesses with challenges in doing business with
the state.
Other events:
June 23, Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College
L&I Free Contractor Training Events
August 1, King County
CARTs Training for Prime Contractors & Consultants
October 27, Spokane, Spokane Community College L&I Free Contractor Training Events
November 1, Lynnwood
Small Business Networking Opportunities
The campaign kept news of the injustices of segregation in the forefront during the war but it was
short-lived. The military responded by banning
black newspapers from its libraries and confiscating the publication from black soldiers. Then FBI
director J. Edgar Hoover, claiming actions by the
black press hurt the war effort and were “a strong
provocateur of discontent among Negros…”
sought to charge several black editors with treason. His attempt failed after black publishers, notably John Sengstacke publisher of the Chicago
Defender, negotiated an agreement with Attorney
General Francis Biddle. The black press refrained
from escalating criticism of the war but continued
to print— reaching a record high of two million
readers each week by the end of the war in 1945.
Sources: aaworldwar2.weebly.com; Biography.com; Historyengine.richmond.edu; Learner.org; Newseum.org; Newsreel.org; Nypl.org;
PBS.org; Wikipedia.org
Join Spokane Regional Health District for a facilitated conversation with Dr. Phillip Gardiner of the University of California’s Tobacco-Related Disease Research program. Discussion will focus on racial disparities in health, particularly
the African Americanization of menthol cigarettes in the U.S. and current efforts to fight back.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
9:00 AM—11:00 AM
1101 W. College Avenue, Room 140
Spokane, WA 99201
Admission: Free Register here
Memorial Day Tribute—A Scout with the Buffalo Soldiers
May 27, 2017
Buffalo Soldiers Museum
1940 S. Wilkeson
Tacoma, WA 98405
Www.buffalosoldierstacoma.org
Vendors, Performers and Artists applications available at www.festivalsundiata.org
Apply now!
Save the Date! Festival Sundiata 2017
Saturday June 10 & Sunday June 11, 2017
Seattle Center, Seattle Washington
Black Arts Love Summer Mixer & Marketplace
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Noon to 5:00 PM
Franklin High School—3013 S. Mt. Baker Blvd
Seattle, Washington
GOODWILL now offers MATH tutoring! Come get help at our Mathematics Assistance Tutoring &
Help Center & receive:
• On-site instructor to provide one-on-one assistance
• GED Completion Support
• CASAS Prep & Testing
• Pre-employment math refresh
• Drop in as often as you need! Anyone ages 16+
Monday – Thursday 3-7 pm
Milgard Work Opportunity Center
Room 334
714 S. 27th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Questions? Contact Amy Bell, [email protected]
Listed are a few of the newest employment announcements. A more comprehensive list of jobs is available
on webpage—www.caa.wa.gov. Resources and job fair information for job seekers available at worksourcewa.com. Click on ‘career tools’ and ‘workshops and hiring events’ for timely, state-wide information.
Washington State Attorney General’s Office seeks a Legislative Director (Seattle or Olympia office) closing 5/26/2017
Washington State Department of Transportation Transportation Systems Technician A - Signals/ITS Technician non
permanent. Closing 5/29/2017; Environmental Permitting & Compliance Program Manager closing 6/1/2017; Human
Resource Consultant Assistant 1 non-permanent. Closing 5/29/2017
Washington State Department of Corrections www.jobs.doc.wa.gov.
Corrections Officers multiple openings in Snohomish County. Keyword CO1. Open continuous; Business Intelligence (ITS
5) keyword BI. Open continuous; Database Administrator (ITS 5) open continuous;
Washington State Department of Health Deputy Secretary for Public Health Operation/Chief Health Equity Officer
South Puget Sound Community College openings