The Art of Propaganda: Charles Alstons World War II Editorial Cartoons for the Office of War Information and the Black Press

Abstract

At least one scholar has theorized that the black press during World War II adopted a pseudo-militant, accommodationist mode to appear militant to its black readers, while at the same time appeasing the U.S. government by supporting the war. The cartoons of black artist Charles Alston, produced for the U.S. Office of War Information, allowed the editors to play this game perfectly. Alston's cartoons supported the national position on the war and in doing so are examples of government propagandistic art targeted directly to a black audience. This study examines Alston's OWI editorial illustrations for their themes and messages.