Harry S. Truman Bucks Racist Sentiment & Issues Executive Order for Desegregation of US Armed Forces July 26, 1948

It is ironic that on July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman issues executive order for the desegregation of the US Armed Forces, but today we are still grappling with institutional racism of the black community on some level.

On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 desegregating the United States Armed Forces. President Truman's move was seen as very controversial at the time, but he did the right thing. It is interesting to note that Think Progress' Igor Volsky uncovered the polls conducted of military personnel showing overwhelming opposition to desegregation. Further, according to Think Progress, a Gallup Poll in March of 1948 showed 63% thought that black troops and white troops should remain separated, with 26% of the mindset that they should live and work together.

1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.

2. There shall be created in the National Military Establishment an advisory committee to be known as the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services, which shall be composed of seven members to be designated by the President.

3. The Committee is authorized on behalf of the President to examine into the rules, procedures and practices of the Armed Services in order to determine in what respect such rules, procedures and practices may be altered or improved with a view to carrying out the policy of this order. The Committee shall confer and advise the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Air Force, and shall make such recommendations to the President and to said Secretaries as in the judgment of the Committee will effectuate the policy hereof.

President Harry Truman took decisive action to do what is right and he was not swayed by the fact he could lose the upcoming election at that time. He was also not swayed by public opinion. He did the right thing despite all racist sentiments around him. I cannot close this brief commentary without referencing the late civil rights icon Dorothy Height's comments about Truman's actions. In Michael R. Gardner's book, "Harry Truman and Civil Rights: Moral Courage and Political Risks," she said: "Harry Truman's integration of the armed services represented the most significant institutional advance for the civil rights of black Americans since President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation." It is ironic that on a day that literally changed the course of history of the Armed Forces, we are grappling with the modern-day lynching of black former USDA official Shirley Sherrod and the outpouring of racist sentiment found in the comments of fans of Andrew Breitbart's websites -- Big Government, Breitbart, Big Journalism. It is also ironic that President Obama refuses to sign an executive order repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to enable gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military.

Here is a copy of the survey results from Think Progress' website:



Read more articles on race issues affecting the black community on the Hinterland Gazette including latest on Georgia's gubernatorial race.