Dominic Haywood

SWC 100

August 6,2009

“Where Is The Contrast?” Segregation in Harlem

In the heat of the Jim Crow Movement, life became harder and harder for the

Negro race. From being told that they could not use the same utilities such as water

fountains and bathrooms to being brutally beat. Harlem was like a safe haven for the

Negro race. Or according to Simple in, “ The Best of Simple”, “ Here’s to Harlem! They

say Heaven is Paradise. If Harlem ain’t Heaven, Then a mouse ain’t mice! (Hughes 20) ”.

In other words, Harlem was heaven to the black community. Through out the book/ photo

gallery, “The Sweet Flypaper of Life”, not really being mentioned, but being shown is

segregation. For example, in the entire photo collection point out at least one Caucasian

male or female. Segregation has been depicted in two major ways in Harlem and the state

of New York. By Harlem being a “No whites allowed zone”, and the segregation within

New York’s state Militia.

“The next time I see my congressman, I am going to tell him to introduce a bill

for Game Preserves for Negroes. (Hughes 63)” Harlem, in a sense, is a Game Preserve

for Negroes. The few Caucasians that live there act as the guardians, they keep eye out to

make sure things stay the status quo and not get out of hand. No one there hurts the

Negroes except other Negroes. They don’t have to worry about Jim Crow or Segregation

there because it is only blacks there. In the Sweet Flypaper of Life, not one picture

showcases a white person at all. Which means that they have given the Negroes their
space to roam free and do as they please, as all Game Preserves do. Or it could mean that

the Caucasian race became scared of Harlem and will not dare tread there at any giving

time of day. Sister Mary says when she speaks of her favorite grandson, says that she is

worried about her grandson because he hangs out in the streets at all times of night. She is

unaware of the troubles of the nightlife, or she is very aware and which leads her into

deeper “worriation” (Sweet Flypaper of Life) about Rodney. Which is the probable

reason why Caucasian people will not come around Harlem during the night.

Harlem, in the time period of 1949-1954 was the place to be, for the Negro race.

Struggles are inevitable yet those of the community still found enjoyment. From hearing

news on the streets to reading the newspaper, stories ranged from sports to more

passionate subjects such as the wrong that their southern counterparts are enduring as

well as them. In Harlem along with the entire United States of America, segregation took

its toll by stacking limitations onto the African American race. Blacks were not permitted

to go to similar schools as their white brethren, let alone serve in the same military as

them. War is a matter of an arms race. To see which side can produce ammunition and

guns to keep their side’s arsenal replenished. Guns are the fuel of the war industry, but to

hear children wanting guns is incorrect from every viewpoint imaginable. “Now, take

little Jerry: Well, that boy is just gun-crazy! Says he wants a gun that shots both ways at

once: (Sweet Flypaper of Life 58).”

New York’s State Defense system as well as the country’s defense system was

deeply segregated. To give all qualified personnel the chance to be successful in the New

York National Guard, Naval Militia and other military opportunities, Franklin D.

Roosevelt Jr. wrote to Governor Dewey and other state officials urging that racial
segregation be ended (Asks End of Segregation).

“Mr. Roosevelt asked enactment of the bill introduced by Assemblyman

Harold Stevens of New York ‘or an equally direct and uncompromising

measure.’ The Stevens bill would amend the state’s military law ‘so that

no unit shall hereafter be maintained or organized which is limited to

persons of a particular race or of a particular color.’ (Asks End of

Segregation)”

There were restraints on military integration. Negroes were allowed to join the

army but they were in segregated infantry units. It also seemed as if the Negro rank was

inferior to the rank of their Caucasian complements. That the Captain of a Negro

regiment would answer to a private in a white regiment.

“’I bet there isn’t a white soldier living who ever got a medal from a

colored officer,’ said Simple. “Maybe not, but I don’t get your point. If a

soldier is brave enough to get a medal, what does it matter who pins it on?’

‘It may not matter to the soldiers,’ said Simple, ‘but it matters to me. I

have never yet seen no colored general pinning a medal on a white private.

That is what I want to see.’ ‘Colored generals did not command white

soldiers in the last war,’ I said, ‘which is no doubt why they didn’t pin

medals on them.’ ‘ I want to see colored generals commanding white

soldiers then,’ said Simple (Hughes 81).”

At this point in time, strides toward military segregation were becoming more and more

evident. President of the time Dwight Eisenhower wanted complete integration of the

armed forces.
 “Orders to end segregation were issued to the Army, Navy and Air Force

more than two years ago after the official adoption of recommendations

made by the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and

Opportunity in the Armed Services. (Army Segregation Found on Way

Out)”

Although the Negroes in the country were applauding his attempts to integrate the

country one step at a time. The Caucasians were not satisfied with his actions.

“Mom, this is something I want you or Dad to do quick. They are mixing

the niggers in the same barracks with us. If everyone’s parents write their

Congressmen to ask for something to be done about it, it will. Mom,

please don’t let me down. Quick! Such anguished pleas were suddenly

commonplace in June 1949, a month after the U.S. Air Force set out to

abolish its all-Negro units. (RACES: The Unbunching).”

Caucasian parents were receiving such letters as these daily throughout the beginning

stages of the military integration period. Everyone agree that it would take years, even

decades for the integration of whites and Negroes to be so. Within a few months the Air

Force broke its color barrier. And by 1954, in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines,

white and colored men worked together, marched together and learned to fight side by

side. Not all of them liked it: but everyone accepted it (The Unbunching).

“Army Segregation found on Way Out”, the author wishes to inform the reader

and to let them know that if they have became accustomed to the status quo, they are in

for a rude awakening. Change is hastily approaching the way that they view their little

portion of the world may not look the same tomorrow. It was a very aggressive article; it
left very little room for error or hopes to maybe think that it will remain this way forever.

The hint that no one was ready for the change was the fact that the black regiments did

not complain nor did the white regiments. Also the fact that in the Caucasian-less photo

gallery just about every Negro in the picture had a smile on their face with the exception

of the child that Sister Mary says never smiles. Not all change is bad; almost a half-

century down the line, and an un-segregated world is not half bad.

Work Cited

Army Segregation Found On Way Out, 1949 (no listed author)

Asks End of Segregation, New York Times, Feb 24,1949

Hughes, Langston, The Best of Simple, Hill and Wang 1961, Simple on Military

Integration

Hughes, Langston, The Best of Simple, Hill and Wang 1961, There Ought to be A Law