Hon. William H. Hastie - Champion of Justice
A full-page illustrated biography: a large portrait of William H. Hastie with panels showing a courtroom, a medal presentation and a man carrying a briefcase, each with a caption listing his offices and awards. The tell is the exemplary-individual format, with superlatives ('champion', 'uncompromising fighter') attached to a named public figure.
Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon
- Date
- 1943
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Office of War Information (cartoon artwork; artist Charles Alston)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Cartoon
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Persuade or win support
- Themes
- Race and ethnicity, War and the military, Home front
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives, RG 208, OWI Cartoon Artworks and Mockups (NAID 535594), retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Office of War Information. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 208, 208-COM-222 (NAID 535685).
Text on the object
HON. WILLIAM H. HASTIE CHAMPION OF JUSTICE Judge Hastie was the first Negro to serve as justice of the U.S. District Court. He served in the Virgin Islands. Serious, progressive, Judge Hastie typifies the new leadership. -- Despite his youth, his record of achievement is notable: -- Phi Beta Kappa at Amherst, - Doctor of Juridical Science, Harvard, - Assistant Solicitor, Department of the Interior, - Dean of the Law School, Howard University, - U.S. District Judge, Virgin Islands, - Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War, -- and Spingarn Medalist!! In recognition of his distinguished career as jurist, and uncompromising fighter for the rights of his people, Judge Hastie was awarded the Spingarn Medal for 1942. Alston OWI
