Conclusion
75 years later, the Port Chicago 50’s work-stoppage was vital in integrating the military, and reassessing unsafe handling of munitions in the Navy, saving countless lives. This tragedy communicated to the nation and helped Americans understand that segregation existed in the military, even as African-Americans selflessly served their country. Although the military isn’t completely equal for all races, the work-stoppage of the Port Chicago 50 set the stones for equality in the military.
"The lesson is that we stood up for our rights. We stood up to get the same rights the whites did. We all should have been treated the same, because we were all in the Navy, and were going to fight for the same purpose. But they thought that we should do the dirty work."
~ Freddie Meeks, Port Chicago 50
Site of explosion (Source) San Franscisco Chronicles