7.+A.+Phillip+Randolph+and+his+agreement+with+Roosevelt

==== A Philip Randolph was an African American who was greatly disgusted by the amounts of racial discrimination in the military and industry in America. Randolph’s strong will and intelligence lead him to be received as a “leader” to the Negro community (Tarry 1). During the World War II era, Blacks were still chained down by racism. African Americans were held out of the work force and given less work opportunities than whites were given. Blacks were also kept out of American Military activity. They were almost completely limited to serving as cooks and waiters in the Navy (A. Philip 1). The African Americans of the nation were appalled by the way they were treated when their only goal was to help their country in need. ==== [| http://www.georgemeany.org/archives/apr.JPG]

==== A. Philip Randolph decided to lead an enormous march into Washington on July 1, 1941 and demand equality. Randolph’s attitude was, “If the Negro was not integrated, a march on the nation’s capital was to take place” (Tarry 1). President Franklin D. Roosevelt was informed of this march and feared that it was too much for the segregated city of Washington to withstand. Roosevelt feared violence and possible riots that could break out because of racial tensions. In attempt to prevent this, the president called a meeting with Randolph and a few other black leaders (A. Philip 1). ====

==== The meeting was held in early June as the entire country was learning of the march the African Americans were planning. FDR argued that the country must stay united and peaceful in the time of war (Tarry 1). Randolph, who was disappointed with the president’s lack of support, told FDR that he planned to bring one hundred thousand black protesters with him on the July march (A. Philip 1). Roosevelt realized that a number that large was almost impossible for Washington to house, feed, and transport. He knew something needed to be done about the march. ====

====Randolph, however, realized that FDR’s arguments were just and legitimate and offered a solution in attempt to meet both sides. His idea was to have Roosevelt issue an executive order banning segregation (Tarry 1).====

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On June 25, 1941, FDR issued Executive Order 8802 which banned the segregation of any minority in industry and military (A. Philip 1). It stated,
==== “ . . . I do hereby reaffirm the policy of the United States that there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or Government because of race, creed, color, or national origin and I do hereby declare that it is the duty of employers and of labor organizations, in furtherance of said policy and of this order, to provide for the full and equitable participation of all workers in defense industries, without discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin. . . . (Tarry 1).” ====

====President Roosevelt also created the first Fair Employment Practices Committee to oversee the executive order. The Black community received mixed emotions but was overall pleased with the outcome of the meeting and was now able to receive jobs and military positions. A. Philip Randolph continued to fight for Black rights and full unlimited equality (Tarry 1).====

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Works Cited “A. Philip Randolph Meets with Franklin Roosevelt about Integrating War Industries?” __Yahoo Answers__. December 2008. 19 March 2009  Danzer, Gerald A. et al. __The Americans__. Illinois: McDougal, Littell Co., 2005. Tarry, Ellen. “Randolph & the ‘Great White Father.’” __Chicken Bones: A Journal__. 19 March 2009 .