Dear Diary,
Even though WWII is going on in Europe, it has affected things here at home too. All the men in my neighborhood have joined the army, and lots are already overseas. They left their jobs behind... and my friends and I took their places. We are doing lots of new things that never would have been imagined. I'm working as a riveter with Anne and Julie, making munitions and supplies for the war. Cousin Abby has joined the Women Air force Service Pilots, or WASPS, like they prefer to be known. They test aircraft and deliver them. Abby says a girl recently crashed and died. I hope nothing happens to Abby. Nicole wrote to me the other day, and in her letter she told me about her new job. She’s doing clerical work for the army. Her organization is called WAVES. Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service is what it means, I think. Nicole also told me about our other friend, Erin. Erin is working in the Women’s Army Corps as an electrician. She also had opportunities to work as a repair person for equipment, but chose to be an electrician instead. Through Nicole, I learned that as a WAC worker Erin is a full-fledged member of the army (except she can't fight) and has full benefits. I think it's crazy that Erin is doing this... I think it's crazy that we are ALL doing things like this. Men used to do these jobs... but I guess times are changing.
More things are changing besides just who's working jobs. Soldiers signing up for the war need training and a place to live. Since there is plenty of open space in rural areas, new military bases have been set up there. Grandma Judy wrote to me about how lots of new things are being put up around her farm. She doesn't like the thousands of people showing up there seemingly overnight. She thinks it's much too crowded.
Grandma has those complaints, but I have some complaints of my own. Like the ration program. The government is limiting the amounts of coffee, butter, sugar, and meat that a person can buy. Each person gets a ration booklet for things they are allowed to get. There are also shortages of fuel. Things are all being limited so that there's enough to go toward supporting the war.
Speaking of supporting the war, the government is very into propaganda promoting the war. All around town there are posters that depict pro-war images. The movie theaters are all showing pro-war films. These posters and films show the glory of Americans, and present the Japanese and Germans as evil cruel people.
The ones overseas are, or they must be. But citizens of our country are being discriminated against too. Just down the street the nice Japanese family, the Matsui's, were forced to move to an internment camp. They didn't have the chance to sell their house so they still have to pay the loan for it. But being in the internment camp, they can't work. They are stuck in a hopeless situation. I feel bad for the poor family. I know them personally and see that they are good people.
A lot around me is changing. I can't do much about it besides go along with it, I suppose.
Even though WWII is going on in Europe, it has affected things here at home too. All the men in my neighborhood have joined the army, and lots are already overseas. They left their jobs behind... and my friends and I took their places. We are doing lots of new things that never would have been imagined. I'm working as a riveter with Anne and Julie, making munitions and supplies for the war. Cousin Abby has joined the Women Air force Service Pilots, or WASPS, like they prefer to be known. They test aircraft and deliver them. Abby says a girl recently crashed and died. I hope nothing happens to Abby. Nicole wrote to me the other day, and in her letter she told me about her new job. She’s doing clerical work for the army. Her organization is called WAVES. Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service is what it means, I think. Nicole also told me about our other friend, Erin. Erin is working in the Women’s Army Corps as an electrician. She also had opportunities to work as a repair person for equipment, but chose to be an electrician instead. Through Nicole, I learned that as a WAC worker Erin is a full-fledged member of the army (except she can't fight) and has full benefits. I think it's crazy that Erin is doing this... I think it's crazy that we are ALL doing things like this. Men used to do these jobs... but I guess times are changing.
More things are changing besides just who's working jobs. Soldiers signing up for the war need training and a place to live. Since there is plenty of open space in rural areas, new military bases have been set up there. Grandma Judy wrote to me about how lots of new things are being put up around her farm. She doesn't like the thousands of people showing up there seemingly overnight. She thinks it's much too crowded.
Grandma has those complaints, but I have some complaints of my own. Like the ration program. The government is limiting the amounts of coffee, butter, sugar, and meat that a person can buy. Each person gets a ration booklet for things they are allowed to get. There are also shortages of fuel. Things are all being limited so that there's enough to go toward supporting the war.
Speaking of supporting the war, the government is very into propaganda promoting the war. All around town there are posters that depict pro-war images. The movie theaters are all showing pro-war films. These posters and films show the glory of Americans, and present the Japanese and Germans as evil cruel people.
The ones overseas are, or they must be. But citizens of our country are being discriminated against too. Just down the street the nice Japanese family, the Matsui's, were forced to move to an internment camp. They didn't have the chance to sell their house so they still have to pay the loan for it. But being in the internment camp, they can't work. They are stuck in a hopeless situation. I feel bad for the poor family. I know them personally and see that they are good people.
A lot around me is changing. I can't do much about it besides go along with it, I suppose.
Lois Cosner, 1942
Here's a song that the riveters sing in our factory:
“Rosie the Riveter” Song Lyrics
cocktail bar
Sipping Martinis, munching caviar
There’s a girl who’s really putting
them to shame
Rosie is her name
All the day long whether rain or shine
She’s a part of the assembly line
She’s making history,
working for victory
Rosie the Riveter
Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage
Sitting up there on the fuselage
That little frail can do more than a
male will do
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie’s got a boyfriend, Charlie
Charlie, he’s a Marine
Rosie is protecting Charlie
Working overtime on the
riveting machine
When they gave her a production “E”
She was as proud as a girl could be
There’s something true about
Red, white, and blue about
Rosie the Riveter
Everyone stops to admire the scene
Rosie at work on the B-Nineteen
She’s never twittery, nervous or jittery
Rosie the Riveter
What if she’s smeared full of
oil and grease
Doing her bit for the old Lendlease
She keeps the gang around
They love to hang around
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie buys a lot of war bonds
That girl really has sense
Wishes she could purchase
more bonds
Putting all her cash into national
defense
Senator Jones who is “in the know”
Shouted these words on the radio
Berlin will hear about
Moscow will cheer about
Rosie the Riveter!
And there's me! The second picture is Anne working with some men.
Below is my favorite poster. It's hung in the factory and makes me feel proud, accomplished, and empowered.
As I mentioned earlier, things are changing and I have to give some things up, like the freedom to buy whatever I want. In the mail the other day I got my 3rd ration book...
No comments:
Post a Comment