Professor’s new book examines postwar struggles of black federal workers

The increasing demand for workers in military service and on the home front during World War II proved a boon to black workers, allowing them to make significant contributions to both the war effort and the American economy. Little is known, however, about the struggles for dignity and respect that these employees endured while working these “good, government jobs.”

Honors Assistant Professor of African American Studies, Frederick Gooding, examines the struggles of black federal workers and race relations following World War II in his new book, American Dream Deferred.

In his writings and through his teaching, Gooding combines a love of history with a fascination of the media to focus on African American history, critical race theory and contemporary media, which he analyzes to identify racial patterns that appear benign but have problematic historical roots. His most well-known work thus far is, “You Mean, There’s RACE in My Movie? The Complete Guide to Understanding Race in Mainstream Hollywood.”

Gooding, who is new to TCU’s faculty, currently teaches three courses titled Race & Sports, Race, Identity & Film, and, his “dream class,” The Genius of Hip Hop, which aims to demonstrate the poetic and powerful expression of the human quest for dignity that’s present in the music genre.

His interests also include travel—Gooding’s been to all 50 states and six continents—and a never-ending desire to learn. “My philosophy is that there is only one life to live and only one planet on which to live it—so let’s learn as much as we can while we can.

Gooding earned a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, a master’s degree from the University of New Mexico and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University.