Making World Safe for Democracy Except at Home

Charles White, The Return of the Soldier, 1946 (Lib of Cong.)

When African American soldiers fought in World War II the troops were still segregated. However, many black soldiers came into contact with others overseas, particularly in Europe, who did not share American racist attitudes. The experience made coming home a mixed blessing.
    Ethel Payne's brother, Lemuel, served in the U.S. Army and was among those who experienced the personal liberation of being treated with respect and worried about coming back home.
    “Although he is anxious to return home,” Payne wrote to A. Philip Randolph in September 1945, “he dreads the thought of returning to the old American discrimination after he has had a chance to see some of the liberalism of such places as Paris, Belgium, and even some parts of Germany where the German people despite the verboten of fraternization have heartily welcomed Negro troops.”
    By the thousands, black soldiers like Lemuel returned to the United States changed men. It is no surprise that the Civil Rights movement would find many supporters among these veterans a few years later.