​RACE RELATIONS DURING WW2

         This poster describes how any language other than “American” is an enemy. English was percieved to inheritantly mean American. The U.S wanted the public to learn and to speak English, in order to assimilate into American culture. This poster “DON’T SPEAK THE ENEMY'S LANGUAGE. SPEAK AMERICAN!" reflects how Americans during the WWII expressed hostility towards other races, by viewing them as potential enemies and as dangerous. Effectively, America pushed a racist agenda while it advocated "equality". FDR preached four freedoms, the freedom of: worship, speech, want, and a life without fear. The four freedoms provided people with individual rights and liberties. Paradoxically, the propagandist poster demoralizes anyone other than what was considered American at the time. This poster controlled individuals by infringing on the four freedoms—particularly freedom of worship—by denouncing Japanese, Germans, and Italians by using their respective culture's dictators. This created mixed feelings by making it nearly impossible to be proud of one's heritage by connecting ethnic minorities to their enemies.   

        Additionally, xenophobia was intensified by non-Americans. Americans were discomforted due to only understanding English. This ignorance coupled with paranoia led to the belief that speaking anything other than "American" meant disloyalty to America and democracy. The poster states "speak American" instead of speaking English. English therefore, is labled as what is American, which tied in patriotism, democracy, and the ideals and values of homogeniety the U.S by the use of one language. Above the fascist leaders Adolf Hitler, Emperor Hirohito and, Benito Mussolini have a caption saying, “ Destroy democracy”. This related language to race and tied Americans to act American by speaking English. Speaking another language tied to the desire to destroy democracy.