Not So Black and White Black Canadians and the RCAF's recruiting policy during the Second World War

摘要

This article examines the recruitment policy of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the perspectives of black volunteers during the Second World War. The author discusses the colour line employed by the RCAF, the discriminatory beliefs of some recruiting officers, and the motivations behind the acceptance of black recruits. The author argues the fear that "racial differences" would cause animosity within the ranks was a large barrier for black recruits and a central reason why groundcrew duty was encouraged. However, the growing demand for manpower forced the RCAF to relax its policy and enlist all qualified applicants, regardless of skin colour.