A.I generated summary:
- In the aftermath of World War I, black leaders in the U.S. sought to enlist Japanese support at the Paris Peace Conference to address racial discrimination against African Americans. This reflected a belief that Japan could be an ally in the struggle against racism.
- Many black Americans saw Japan's push for racial equality at the Paris conference as a positive development that could benefit people of color globally. There was enthusiasm in the black press for a Japan-led, anti-white imperialist movement.
- Black Americans tended to view the Japanese favorably, seeing them as fellow victims of racism who treated blacks with dignity. There were reports of cordial relations between blacks and Japanese on the West Coast.
- However, some blacks were critical of Japanese imperialism in China, while others saw it as a necessary step in Japan's rise as a great power. There were also concerns about economic competition from Japanese immigrants.
- The Supreme Court's 1922 Ozawa decision, which denied Japanese immigrants eligibility for U.S. citizenship, was seen by some blacks as a setback in the potential alliance between blacks and Japanese against white supremacy.
- Overall, the 1919-1927 period saw a strong identification and sympathy among many African Americans towards Japan as a potential champion against racial oppression, even as some ambivalence and criticism remained.
