The Crisis: The Perception of Race in WWI

=== Intro ===

In this analysis of The Crisis, focusing on two editions, one from 1914 and the other from 1918, we see a snap shot of the attitudes of and towards black soldiers at the beginning and the end of World War I. These editions, volume 8, number 5 published in 1914 and volume 16, number 2 published in 1918 shows us the apparent change (or lack of apparent change) in the way black soldiers were treated in comparison to the way they served their country. This idea, will be explored and displayed through a series of tools. Namely, a timeline of the publications, text mining of key words, and close readings of selected topics. The words being focused on are: Pride and Success, in addition to an idea, represented through a string of words, including Bravery, Gallantry, Courage, and Sacrifice. The question to keep in mind when addressing these literary works is simply, what was the reality of the conditions that "colored" soldiers faced during their service and how were their actions perceived in battle and back home?

A visual representation of the occurrence of the word pride, found in Vol. 8. No. 5.  The visual shows only

Definition: the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals, or a performance or achievement that is marked by success, as by the attainment of honors.

This visual is an example of the occurrence of the word ''success'' in its various forms, found in Vol. 16 No. 2.  As you can see, different forms of ''success'' are used within multiple sections of the magazine. This displays how "colored" people thrived even in the days of slavery.  

<iframe style='width: 50%; height: 400px' src='//voyant-tools.org/?query=success*&query=successful&query=success&withDistributions=raw&docIndex=0&mode=document&corpus=31c347f4b2a5423e602c3c9917a2fbf4&view=Trends'></iframe></html>

===== Bravery/Gallantry/Courage/Sacrifice =====

Synonymous ideas: brave spirit or conduct; courage; valor, dashing courage; heroic bravery; noble-minded behavior.

Definition(s): the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

To surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else or the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.

Although the words ''Gallantry'' and ''Bravery'' are accounted for in the text, they do not appear when searched through the text mining tools being utilized.

A visual example of the occurrence of the word sacrifice, found in Vol. 8 No. 5:

<iframe style='width: 50%; height: 400px' src='//voyant-tools.org/?query=sacrifice&withDistributions=raw&docIndex=0&mode=document&view=Trends&corpus=575b410c6c83e317138558fb8af26cc0'></iframe></html>

A visual example of the occurrence of the word courage, found in Vol. 16 No. 2:

<iframe style='width: 50%; height: 400px' src='//voyant-tools.org/?query=courage*&query=courage&withDistributions=raw&docIndex=0&mode=document&corpus=31c347f4b2a5423e602c3c9917a2fbf4&view=Trends'></iframe></html>

<iframe style='width: 50%; height: 400px' src='//voyant-tools.org/?query=courage&query=bravery*&query=pride&query=sacrifice&withDistributions=raw&docIndex=0&mode=document&corpus=f1a118dcb03629d9fa207dc217290eb4&view=Trends'></iframe></html>

==== September 1914: Social Uplift ====

Within the section of [http://dl.lib.brown.edu/jpegs/1302701497890631.jpg “Social Uplift”] found in The Crisis, there are many different accounts of successful "colored" people and how they have affected the community.  One instance tells about a colored porter sacrificing his life while defending passengers from bandits on the Illinois Central Railroad.  Another instance occurred in Okmulgee, Oklahoma when the "colored" population was close to fifty percent of the whole population. This account shows the ways in which the "colored" community helped make the overall community of Oklmulgee successful in a way that’s different from other cities.

==== September 1914: Men of the Month: A Student of Music ====

This section of the magazine seems to be just one of the many standpoints for colored people to share their many accomplishments in the world of white supremacy.  This month’s article of [http://dl.lib.brown.edu/jpegs/130270155331256.jpg “Men of the Month”] focuses on a Student of Music. This student was from the Cosmopolitan School of Music and Dramatic Art, which was at the time located in Chicago.  Mrs. Elnora S. Manson was recognized for doing musical research from a racial standpoint, standing out as a "colored" student.  Manson’s literary abilities ranked as one of the highest among her peers. Her work was the most memorable to the director of the Ensemble Department, Mr. Henry Eames. Mrs. Manson’s account is just one of many successful "colored" people, however, it made major impacts in a world which was primarily white.

==== September 1914: Editorial: Fighting. ====

In the ''Editorial'', under the section [http://dl.lib.brown.edu/jpegs/130270168278132.jpg ''Fighting,''] we see an address made by Winston Churchill on the topic of fighting and whether or not it was considered "righteous" to take up arms and fight. This article does not specifically deal with any of the words being focused on, but rather encompasses a larger struggle going on among soldiers in general, whether black or white. The heart of this struggle is summed up well in the questions asked by Mr. Churchill, "Is it [righteousness] acquired by one's sitting still and absorbing it? Is it to be achieved by practicing a long list of "thou shall nots?"

Likewise, Mr Churchill answers his own question: "Righteousness is growth. The moment fighting stops, growth stops, and righteousness has ceased to radiate because it is dead." This embodies, what is easily perceived as, the conviction that many black soldiers felt during WWI. This conviction pushed them on to bravery, success and gave them pride in the purpose they were fulfilling by doing their duty and serving the United States of America.

After a close reading of this [http://dl.lib.brown.edu/jpegs/1292948033108625.jpg editorial], it seems that the Secretary of War is commending the colored soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force and trying to convince those reading the editorial that the colored soldiers are being treated fairly. He points out how impressed he was with the American Expeditionary Force and how the camps were “noticeably excellent” when it came to sanitation.  

One word that stood out above all the others was the word “pride.” The secretary of War states that he has “come back with an increased pride in these units.” Through this last sentence of the article, the Secretary of War shows that he is satisfied with what the colored soldiers are doing, he believes in them, and he has seen that they are being treated as they should be.

==== June 1918: The Horizon: Foreign ====

[http://dl.lib.brown.edu/jpegs/1292948257327375.jpg "Foreign,"] a subheading under "The Horizon," deals with a number of issues and topics happening on a global scale during WWI. The majority of these topics are descriptions of extreme bravery and sacrifice by black soldiers. The words courage, bravery, and gallantry appear together ten times in just three accounts. The first two accounts specifically describe the actions of Pte. C. Hyndman, in Trinidad, and Pte. F. Puller, in Jamaica, as acts done voluntarily for the betterment of the armies information, accessibility or advantage.

These articles speak not only the actions, but the soldiers, with the utmost respect. This respect is is a key aspect when it comes to the conditions black soldiers lived and worked in during this war. The point to note here is that these citations for bravery and awards were not given out by the United States Government. The citations were given out in a "British West India regiment" and to "military cross and three military medals for bravery" were given to black soldiers from Trinidad fighting in Egypt. This, in itself speaks of the lack of acknowledgment U.S. colored troops received, even though they are noted doing great feats of bravery and sacrifice.