The PittsburghCourier'sDouble V Campaign in 1942

Patrick S. Washburn
1986 American Journalism  
In February 1942, a letter to the editor of the Pittsburgh "Courier," the nation's largest bleak owned newspaper, started the "Double v" (for victory at home and victory abroad) caapaign, which stressed the right of blacks to have equality in the United States since they were fighting inequality abroad. As the "Courier" devoted a great deal of newspaper space to the campaign, "he campaign was endorsed by many other black owned newspapers as well as by white owned papers and organisations. A
more » ... ent analysis shows, however, that the campaign was virtually dead by October 1942, which is significant because it was the first evidence that any black Awned paper outside the South had cut back on the campaign and because the l'Courier" had originated the campaign. One possible explanation for the gradually toned-down campaign of the "Courier" is that the war-time prosperity of middle class blacks demanded a ovement,that would conserve black progress rather than one that might undo it. Black men were being commissioned foe the first time in the armed forces, and black men and women mere being hired .n large numbers at defense plants. The Double V camprtign had . accomplished all that it was able to accomplish. As the campaign began to decline, the "Courier" demonstrated its good faith by replacing campaign material with positive articles and picture layouts about black gains. (HTH) V **, * Reproductions supplied by MRS are the best that can be made * .
doi:10.1080/08821127.1986.10731062 fatcat:gddqmjwlwvg45knisvs7zyseey