Act 2 Summary

Captain Davidson is alone on the stage at the beginning of Act 2 as he relates the progress of the investigation to this point. As the Captain dresses, he relates that there had been much excitement among Negro soldiers in May of 1944, just a short while ago, because there was news that the Allies were making preparations to invade Europe. The possibility of being part of that major initiative was thrilling to Negro soldiers, who saw little action except for some isolated incidents in North Africa or Sicily.

Davidson's mood changes then as his anger takes hold thinking about how Eisenhower wanted to see if Negro boys could fight. To Davidson, Negroes have been fighting their whole lives, especially in small Southern towns like this one in Louisiana. Even as an MP, Davidson doesn't have the authority to arrest a white private without a...