About the Exhibit

Despite frequently earning distinction as individuals and units fighting for America since before it was a country, African Americans faced restricted opportunities in the segregated Armed Forces. Fighting for the Right to Fight delves into the rich history of Black military service before World War II, from the African American Patriots of the Revolutionary War and those fighting to abolish slavery during the Civil War, to the famed Buffalo Soldiers on the American Frontier. Examining the turbulent decades between Emancipation and the outbreak of World War II, the exhibit paints a picture of life for African Americans marked by periods of progress and setbacks.  

In 1941, the United States was thrust into a global war that required massive military and industrial mobilization to win. Volunteering in record numbers, more than 1.2 million African American men and women served in all branches of the still-segregated Armed Forces during World War II, and over a million more on the Home Front took advantage of new labor opportunities in defense and other crucial industries. Special and one-of-a-kind artifacts from the Museum’s collection highlight these expanded roles filled by African Americans during the war.

A central theme of Fighting for the Right to Fight is the iconic “Double Victory” campaign, which first emerged in early 1942 to emphasize African Americans’ simultaneous fight against fascism abroad and for equality in American society. Though the Allies had achieved victory over fascism, the fight for civil rights and justice raged on in the postwar era. Frustrated but more determined than ever, Black WWII veterans fueled the growing Civil Rights Movement in America, paving the way for broader social change, expanded opportunities, and increased political empowerment. The exhibit traces these efforts and achievements, including the desegregation of the Armed Forces in 1948, the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and the long-overdue awarding of the Medal of Honor to seven Black WWII veterans in 1997.  

In addition to artifacts, Fighting for the Right to Fight’s digital elements include an interactive world map highlighting the contributions of African American units and servicemembers, films examining Black Americans’ wartime experiences and their legacy today, and interactive We Were There oral history stations.

The legacy of African American experiences during World War II continues to resonate through American society in profound ways. As the struggle for justice and equality continues, Fighting for the Right to Fight showcases extraordinary stories of service, sacrifice, and fortitude that paved the way for change. 

Presented in honor of Corporal Warren J. Donald, Sr. by the Arnold Donald Family. National touring presented by National Touring Sponsor Abbot Downing, Wells Fargo.

Available for Booking

• Winter 2025

Travel Schedule

Will be available soon