What do you think?
Rate this book
Guide To Command of Negro Naval Personnel
In 1944, James V. Forrestal, a banker who had been active in the National Urban League, became Under Secretary of the Navy. He quickly addressed the problem of African-American morale by widening opportunities for this group. This effort preceded President Truman's 1948 Executive Order officially integrating the armed forces.
To prepare its officers for the new era of integration, the Navy, early in 1945, issued this "Guide to the Command of Negro Naval Personnel. Despite some well-intentioned but unfortunate choices of language, this work frankly addressed issues which would take much longer to be raised elsewhere and did so in a manner that was framed, not with condescension, but as practical guidelines for good management and effective use of valued personnel.
Some samples from this historic "The Navy accepts no theories of racial differences in inborn ability"-"It is worse than useless to deny or ignore the existence of personal racial preferences and prejudices."-"Negroes prefer to be referred to in their individual capacities as Americans without racial designation. The word "n......" is especially hated"-"The idea of compulsory racial segregation is disliked by almost all Negroes"-"It has been the Navy's experience that the effectiveness of Negro Naval personnel is determined primarily by the kind of leadership afforded."
To prepare its officers for the new era of integration, the Navy, early in 1945, issued this "Guide to the Command of Negro Naval Personnel. Despite some well-intentioned but unfortunate choices of language, this work frankly addressed issues which would take much longer to be raised elsewhere and did so in a manner that was framed, not with condescension, but as practical guidelines for good management and effective use of valued personnel.
Some samples from this historic "The Navy accepts no theories of racial differences in inborn ability"-"It is worse than useless to deny or ignore the existence of personal racial preferences and prejudices."-"Negroes prefer to be referred to in their individual capacities as Americans without racial designation. The word "n......" is especially hated"-"The idea of compulsory racial segregation is disliked by almost all Negroes"-"It has been the Navy's experience that the effectiveness of Negro Naval personnel is determined primarily by the kind of leadership afforded."
50 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2010
2 people are currently reading
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 26, 2018
Read for personal and historical research. I found this work of immense interest.
A pioneering work for US military equality recognizing that the only colors that are of any significance are "Blue of the Mighty Deep; Gold of God's Sun Let these colors be till all of time be done, done, done." (Anchors Aweigh)
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
- Excerpt 1
It is the policy of the Navy Department that no discrimination as to race shall be allowed to influence the nomination of candidates for advanced school training. When Negro personnel are qualified under existing regulations and directives, they shall be given the same consideration as white personnel and will be assigned to schools in the same manner and on the same basis. (Bupers. Circ. Ltr. No. 194-44 dated 10 July 1944).
- Excerpt 2
In the absence of any possibility of formal study, it is recommended that Naval officers in command of Negroes read such publications concerning Negroes as they can lay their hands on, including Negro newspapers, engage in frank discussions of the problems they encounter, observe carefully the day to day happenings in and about their command, take advantage of opportunities for careful experiment, and maintain thoroughly open-minded approach. By so doing, they will learn much that will contribute to their success in supervising the men under them.
Available here: https://www.history.navy.mil/research...
Guide to Command of Negro Naval Personnel
NAVPERS-15092
Navy Department
Bureau of Naval Personnel
A pioneering work for US military equality recognizing that the only colors that are of any significance are "Blue of the Mighty Deep; Gold of God's Sun Let these colors be till all of time be done, done, done." (Anchors Aweigh)
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
- Excerpt 1
It is the policy of the Navy Department that no discrimination as to race shall be allowed to influence the nomination of candidates for advanced school training. When Negro personnel are qualified under existing regulations and directives, they shall be given the same consideration as white personnel and will be assigned to schools in the same manner and on the same basis. (Bupers. Circ. Ltr. No. 194-44 dated 10 July 1944).
- Excerpt 2
In the absence of any possibility of formal study, it is recommended that Naval officers in command of Negroes read such publications concerning Negroes as they can lay their hands on, including Negro newspapers, engage in frank discussions of the problems they encounter, observe carefully the day to day happenings in and about their command, take advantage of opportunities for careful experiment, and maintain thoroughly open-minded approach. By so doing, they will learn much that will contribute to their success in supervising the men under them.
Available here: https://www.history.navy.mil/research...
Guide to Command of Negro Naval Personnel
NAVPERS-15092
Navy Department
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Displaying 1 of 1 review