Colored Men. The First Americans Who Planted Our Flag...True Sons of Freedom.

Colored Men. The First Americans Who Planted Our Flag...True Sons of Freedom.

Recruitment: Military

This poster is very busy, as there is much action going on in the small picture. Though most of it is fighting, there are many small details, such as surrendering Germans, fighting continuing in the trenches, and the American Flag being planted by African Americans.. This poster is being used to instill racial pride in other African American on the home front, to get them to either join the war or to give war bonds. I would venture to say this was targeted at mainly lower class African Americans. This poster draws heavily on the symbolism of African American courage to make others to want to join the fight. However, if we analyze this poster from a 21st century lens, we know that no black American troops fought on the front lines under the U.S., they were given to the French. This caused much animosity towards the government, The target audience most likely knew about this, however, its effects are likely to still have persuaded people, as black Americans saw this war as an opportunity to prove their equality.

Unknown

McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tulsa. 2933 E. 6th St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3123

Chas. Gusring, Chicago, IL.

1918

English

1992.004.5.6

U.S.A.