The Afro-American (August 12, 1944)
The Red Cross regrets–
In response to a soldier’s complaint that the word “nigger” was used in a puppet and minstrel show in the station hospital, Camp Campbell, Kentucky, after which colored soldiers walked out, Clarence E. Vrooman of the Results Analysis Unit, Red Cross, told the AFRO this week:
The part of the program complained about was the prologue to the minstrel show. The particular reading was given by a 16-year-old high school girl who was a member of the dramatic club at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was presented with no thought of possible resentment that took place, as it had been given in many parts of Tennessee recently.
This alleged objectionable term will never be used again at Red Cross entertainments in that hospital, as the field director advises us that he intends to preview all programs before presentation. We regret that this program was not previewed.