>1941 FDR Forbids Discrimination
June 25, 1941: President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order forbidding discrimination in the defense industries and government training programs. Roosevelt signed the order after he was unable to convince Black leaders, led by A. Philip Randolph, to stop organizing a march on Washington by Blacks. When Roosevelt signed the order, the Black leaders called off their march.
On June 25, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, which prohibited discrimination in the defense industries and government training programs. This order was a response to the efforts of Black leaders, particularly A. Philip Randolph, who had organized a march on Washington to protest racial discrimination in the defense sector.
The context of the executive order dates back to early 1941, when the United States was ramping up its defense production in anticipation of its involvement in World War II. Despite the increasing demand for labor, Black workers were systematically excluded from many defense industry jobs and government training programs due to racial discrimination. This exclusion extended to skilled positions and better-paying jobs, effectively barring African Americans from fully participating in the war effort and benefiting from the economic opportunities it created.
A. Philip Randolph, a prominent labor leader and head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, recognized the urgency of addressing these inequities. In response, Randolph and other Black leaders planned a mass march on Washington, D.C., to demand equal employment opportunities and an end to racial discrimination in defense jobs. The planned march aimed to bring national attention to the issue and pressure the federal government to take action.
The proposed march on Washington generated significant concern within the Roosevelt administration. Officials feared that such a large-scale protest could cause social unrest and disrupt the national unity needed during the wartime mobilization. President Roosevelt, aware of these potential implications, sought to negotiate with Randolph and other organizers to prevent the march from taking place.
Despite Roosevelt’s attempts to persuade Randolph to call off the march, the Black leaders remained steadfast in their demands for concrete action to address discrimination. Recognizing the determination of the organizers and the growing momentum behind the march, Roosevelt decided to take a decisive step to address their concerns.
On June 25, 1941, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802. The order stated that there would be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin. It also established the Fair Employment Practice Committee (FEPC) to investigate complaints of discrimination and ensure compliance with the order.
The issuance of Executive Order 8802 marked the first time a federal directive addressed employment discrimination in the defense industry. It was a significant step toward promoting racial equality in the workplace, although it did not fully eliminate discriminatory practices. The establishment of the FEPC provided a mechanism for addressing grievances and holding employers accountable, although its effectiveness was often limited by insufficient funding and resistance from some sectors.
Upon the signing of the executive order, A. Philip Randolph and other Black leaders agreed to call off the planned march on Washington. The order was seen as a victory for civil rights advocates and a demonstration of the power of organized protest and negotiation in effecting change.