To Secure These Rights: The Report of President Harry S Truman's Committee on Civil Rights

by Steven F. Lawson

Following a hard-fought war to preserve freedom and combat racial tyranny, Harry S Truman faced a nation of racial turmoil at home where many Americans did not enjoy the basic rights they had fought to secure. Lynchings, violent racial attacks, and widespread discrimination undermined the country’s democratic ideals and prompted Truman to appoint a committee on civil rights. The committee’s report, To Secure These Rights , is one of the most important documents in the history of the modern civil rights movement; its findings showed a nation torn by racial injustice and its recommendations set the agenda for the ongoing struggle for racial equality. This volume contains the full text of the 1947 report, plus an insightful introduction by Steven F. Lawson that chronicles early civil rights efforts and details the political and social climate of the postwar era. Also included are nine original images from the report, questions for consideration, an annotated chronology, and suggestions for further reading.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

200 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2003

Reviews

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unlikely band of liberal troublemakers come together to defeat international criticism. This retelling of Noah’s arc exchanges the traditional species pairs with different flavours of Americans. Two big bosses, two labour advocates, two Protestants, two Catholics, two Northerners, two Southerners and even two women, two African Americans, and two Jews who walk into a bar (I assume) before adding the final touches to their racial doodles. Unfortunately, Noah forgot to save any one who could actually express data so the rambunctious bunch of rebels just settled for some sombreros and called it a day. Still, our Truman up in office LOVED this report, in theory, and showed it proudly to all his foreign buddies.

So pleased I found my new favourite governmental commission from 1940s America!