Mobilizing the South: The 31st Infantry Division, Race, and the Pacific War

400 South Monroe Street,Tallahassee FL 32399-1100

24 February, 2022

Description

Join Dr. Christopher Rein, author of the forthcoming book Mobilizing the South: The 31st Infantry Division, Race, and the Pacific War. Join Dr. Christopher Rein, Air University Press at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, author of the forthcoming book Mobilizing the South: The 31st Infantry Division, Race, and the Pacific War. The 31st Infantry “Dixie” Division included pre-war members of the Florida National Guard, who helped to build one of America’s largest training centers in WWII - Camp Blanding in Starke, Florida. Deployed Dixie Division members from the segregated South notoriously displayed hostility towards African-American units serving in the Southwest Pacific Theater. Dr. Rein will explore the complicated legacy of Florida’s role in World War II as victories over race-based imperialism abroad failed to stop racial prejudice at home. This program continues the Historic Capitol’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the US entry into World War II on December 8, 1941. The temporary exhibit Rendezvous with Destiny: Florida and WWII is on display at the Museum through March 20, 2022. Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities. Restored to its 1902 appearance, the Historic Capitol stands as an icon at the center of Florida’s Capitol complex; the modern-day nerve center of Sunshine State government. Under the stained-glass dome, political history and tradition come alive in the exhibits.