Radio Fights Jim Crow

Learn more

• Learn more about African American history, African Americans, American history, civil rights, Jim Crow, and racism.

Legal

During the years of World War II, a series of groundbreaking radio programs tried to mend the deep racial and ethnic divisions that threatened America. At a time when blacks were usually shown on the radio as lazy buffoons, the federal government and civil rights activists used radio for a counter attack.

Radio Fights Jim Crow is divided into four sections: Americans All, Immigrants All (1938-39), Freedom’s People (1941-42), New World A’Coming (1944-57, and Destination Freedom (1948-50). Each section provides audio selections from the radio shows of that period.

Americans All, Immigrants All focused on different ethnic groups. The show described the history of each group and its contributions to American society. Two shows highlighted here are Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin and the Fisk Singers.

Freedom’s People explored black history and achievements in the areas of music, science, industry and sports. The four entries here discuss the Blues, African American contributions to WWI and WWII, contributions by African American inventors, and the black capacity for turning hardship into beauty.

New World A’Coming was based on the work of nationally-known black journalist Roi Ottley. It aired political and racial issues in the US military and on the home front.

Lastly, Destination Freedom was the work of a “remarkably prolific writer named Richard Durham.” It showcased prominent characters and events in black history, while also examining contemporary political issues.