The Life Argotic

I have read a lot of WWII history. A lot. Not only that, I grew up on the History Channel when they still showed actual history. But I haven’t had a book shake my core beliefs and values in the same way as when I listened to the audiobook version of Half American by Matthew F. Delmont, in a very long time. Sure, I have read things in the past few years that have changed my perspectives. I have even read some books that changed how I behave. But I think what makes this experience unique is that it upends what I thought I knew. My conceptions of the WWII era are irrevocably changed through Delmont’s text.

Half-American is the story of the Black American experiences of the WWII era. Through interrelated stories, narratives, and quotes, Delmont sheds light on the the experiences of Black Americans at war and at home. Not only does he provide an expansive window into how Black soldiers, sailors, and airmen were treated during training and abroad, he also brings in the experiences of Black men and women as they attempted to work in factories to support the war effort from home. Between White protests and riots against the integration of Black factory workers, and solely designating Black sailors and soldiers to logistics support and cooking duties, both the American government and people of the time are presented in a light rarely equated with that generation.

As a bonus, narrator William DeMeritt did an outstanding job of bringing the text to life. He just seems to have that timbre and rhythm that makes for a great performance. He has made my short list of favorite narrators. DeMeritt’s voice lends an edge to Delmont’s words that captivated me and made it impossible to stop listening at times.

What caught me most off guard was the “Double V” campaign; the fight for victory against racism at home and in Europe. The idea alone was new to me. But what took it deeper was how it was framed as “too radical” and even “seditious.” Time and time again Black Americans had to fight to work jobs that sorely needed the labor. What is more, soldiers on the frontlines had to perform twice as hard just to have their highest commanders disregard, degrade, and further downplay the significant role they played in the victory over the axis powers.

This book absolutely demolished my rose-colored glasses when looking back at “the greatest generation” and the war effort. The mythologizing and deification of my grandparent’s generation is just another example of White supremacy has worked to shape the narratives of history and erase the Black experiences and contributions to this country.

I have passed this book by at bookstores over and over again as I browsed the shelves of the history section. Always picking it up but never taking it home. Don’t do what I did. Don’t pass it by. It’s widely available in stores, on Audible, and in the Libby app from your local library.