Illusory Inclusion: The Underlying Racial Barriers in Civil Defense 1950 - 1965
Abstract
Between the years of 1950 and 1965, evacuations and sheltering were used to ensure the protection of American civilians from a nuclear threat. However, not all Americans were able to employ these safety measures to prominent racial hierarchy within civil defense policy. This thesis explores the distribution, attainability, and utilization of civil defense to and by Black Americans. It examines the demographic, societal, and financial discrepancies between white and Black Americans employing census information, federal documents, and newspaper distribution. Owing to deep-rooted disparities in income between white and Black Americans, demographics, and racial ideals, this thesis argues that Black Americans were largely unequipped for an imminent nuclear attack as civil defense officials focused on providing protection to the white, middle-class, suburban, nuclear family. Inherent racial hierarchy and segregation within the U.S. would remained at the forefront of civil defense policy.