With the outbreak of World War II, the Pittsburgh Courier, a prominent black newspaper, proclaimed a “Double V” campaign: victory not only over fascism abroad, but also victory over discrimination at home. Through that campaign, African Americans exposed the hypocrisy of Government declaration of democratic ideals overseas amidst unfair treatment at home. James G. Thompson, a black cafeteria worker who inspired the campaign, wrote, “For surely those who perpetrate these ugly prejudices here are seeking to destroy our democratic form of government just as surely as the Axis forces.”

Even though the “Double V” campaign did not immediately attain victory at home, it invigorated black communities and advanced the call for equality.