FRAGMANTS | Jim Crow Laws | Toni Frissell

Despite the existence of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation between black and white individuals, the United States Army remained committed to upholding these discriminatory laws even during the war.

However, due to the demands of the war, African Americans were given an opportunity to serve as pilots for the first time in history. A specialized unit with uniform racial composition, established as early as 1938, embarked on its first overseas flight in 1943.

Toni Frissell, a renowned American photographer who had already established her reputation before the war, documented the contributions of African Americans to the US Army and the war effort. Her work aimed to raise awareness and recognition of their significant role.

It wasn't until 1965 that the Jim Crow laws were finally abolished, marking a significant step towards racial equality in the United States.