Join PMML President, Dr. Krewasky A. Salter on Wednesday, February 8th at 11am CST as we welcome author Matthew Delmont for a virtual conversation and discussion of his new book, Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad, in observance and recognition of Black History Month.
World War II showed many African Americans that they were fighting for freedoms they did not have themselves at home, lighting a fire that would ignite into the modern Civil Rights Movement. Join us on Thursday, February 9th at 1 pm CST for this FREE student webinar. Teachers are encouraged to register their students. For those who cannot attend live, a recording will be available.
FREE FAMILY PROGRAM. Before Jackie Robinson broke the color line in baseball, he stood up against racism and segregation in the U.S. Army. Join us on Wednesday, February 22nd at 11:00 am CST to discover this lesser-known story with a virtual picture book reading of The United States V. Jackie Robinson, followed by a conversation with the author, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen.
The Holt Oral History Program highlights five African American service members this month: Mary Roberson, William Cook, Timuel Black, John Perry and Diana Ramsey. These stories of service highlight different perspectives on involvement in the US Army.
By: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie
Jackie Robinson broke boundaries as the first African American player in Major League Baseball. But long before Jackie changed the world in a Dodger uniform, he did it in an army uniform.
As a soldier during World War II, Jackie experienced segregation every day—separate places for black soldiers to sit, to eat, and to live. When the army outlawed segregation on military posts and buses, things were supposed to change.
So when Jackie was ordered by a white bus driver to move to the back of a military bus, he refused. Instead of defending Jackie’s rights, the military police took him to trial. But Jackie would stand up for what was right, even when it was difficult to do.
Recommended Reading age: 4-8 years
By: Steve Sheinkin
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated Navy base at Port Chicago, California, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring off-duty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. On August 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were addressed. When the dust settled, fifty were charged with mutiny, facing decades in jail and even execution.
The Port Chicago 50 is a fascinating story of the prejudice and injustice that faced Black men and women in America's armed forces during World War II, and a nuanced look at those who gave their lives in service of a country where they lacked the most basic rights.
Recommended Reading Age: 10-14 years
