Newspapers / Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.) / July 30, 1936, edition 1 / Page 1
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%s4j^;ft:yra *1 1 AND YE SHALL KNOW THETRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE."— John viRcSt CHARLOTTE. N. C- THURSDAY, JULY 30, ,1936, vVj NO. &1. 1, LITERATURE 01 THE NEGRO By W. J. Caifc, In The Charlotte News Ore of the moat interesting th'ngs rhat have been happening in the held of American writing in the last ten or fifteen years —a period in which an enormous number of interesting thinjgs have been happening—is the thing that has been happening to,the literature of the Negro And by the “literature of the Negro,” I mean both literature ffoout Negroes, whether writ ten by black or white, and the productions by black men them selves. Down to the 1920’s, noveb or poetry written by white writers about Negroes all dealt with him from within the frame of an immensely narrow convention —presented him after a set pat tern as rigid and as abstract as that of any Punchinello who ever figured in the old masked comedies of the Middle Ages. He was either an Uncle Tom, infinitely devoted and infinitely full of quaint humor and droll tales,, or he was Jim Crow, that banjo-picking, heel-flinging, hi yi-ing Negro, first concocted by Christie, the father of the min strel show, back in the 1840’s and elaborated through all the generations since, or if he was not stricty always one of these, then, at the uttermost, he was, as in novels of Thomas Dixon, Jr., a menace, a sort of cosmic Rape-fiend forever in wait for unwary virgins. But whatever his mask, he was ultimately on ly a symbol to set off tears of laughter or bitter anger as the case might be—was never re cognizably and in his own right a human being in the round. But not any more. Julia Pet erkin sounded the death knell of the convention when she pub lished her “Green Thursday.” She drove the sword into its vitais 'with her "Black April. And what she had begun was quickly finished by such writers as DuBose Heyward and How ard Odum, whose “Rainbow Round My Shoulder” for the the first time got at the truth behind the figure of Jim Crow. Today there are a dgrsen white writers who concern themselves with delineating the black man in terms of direct observation. The reaction against the con vention has gone so far, indeed, that there is no longer any market for the writings of those who cling to it, save in a few of the popular journals which still labor under the impression that William McKinley is pres ently parked in the East Room of the White House. It would be too much to say, I thisk, that any of these white novelists, have really yet got u -vvn the Negro whole—that they have taken us fully into his mind and soul. Mrs’ Peterkin’s novels, fior instance, are open to grave criticism on the score that, in their way, they tend too much to present the black man’s life as an idyll. Neverthe less, at least a relatively honest approach has come into vegue —which is a very great advance. When we turn to the Negro writers themselves, we find that their numbers have great ly increased in the period of which I speak. Hearing of Negro literature in 1920, one thought of Phyllis Wheatley, of the biog raphy of Frederick Douglass, of Washington’s “Up From Slavery,” of W. E. B. DuBois’ “The Souls of Black Folk,” of ' the poetry of Paul La wren re Dunbar—and what else? But today the names are legion. There are Wallace Thurman and Langston Hughes and Claude McKay and Jean Toomer and Rudolph Fisher, all young and all of great competence in both fiction and verse. There is Countee Cullen, a lyric poet of high order. There is James Wel don Johnson, scarcely less tal ented than Cullen as a poet, and the author of the intensely ab sorbing "Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man.” There are Frank Horne and Gwendolyn Bennett and Jessie Fauset and Sterling Brown and Lewis Al exander and Angelina Grimke and William S. Braithwaite — every one of them capable mak ers of verse. And there are Wal ter White and Arthur Schom burg and George Schuyler and Kelly Miller and Alain Locke and Benjamin Brawiey—fa mous for their essays, and all of whom have made all or the great part of their reputations since 1920. We find, moreover, thai the works of these Negro writers are increasingly displaying a new forthrightness and inde pendence. Whereas the novels of the older men usually deal with Negroes who have gotten mto the professions and are do ing their level best to be sim ply sun-burned white men, those of Hughes and McKay and others begin to concern ihemselves with the common black man, with roustabouts and stevedores and laborers in the factory and on the land. And all the makers of essays and articles have gone over from the position of Booker Washington to that of Du Bois, no few of them have gone far beyond DuBois. Many ot these writers are hysterical in their assertion of race con sciousness, indeed, and nearly all of them are too much ob sessed by the white man. Still, cheir pride m being black, taeir insistence on self-respect before the white man, and their con cern with the race in general, is a more healthy state of affairs than the old servile subservi ence with hate (too often) talking behind it Bnd-\thfc. old itch to get themselves some now whit*1. "*■. No member of the race has as yet gotten into the really first rank of American writers. But with their growing competence and their growing numbers, the thing promises to happen one of these days. AMERICAN EDUCATORS ARE LISTED IN NEW VOLUME New (York, 'July'—• “Who’s Who In American Education,” published here, is an imposing volume of approximately 7.000 biographical sketches of prom inent educators, with pho-< tographs of more than 4,000 of them. An alphabetical check of the book reveals the names of Ne gro educators as follows: Mary E. Branch; President, Tillotson College; Benjamin G. Brawley, English,. Howard University; Herman G. Canady, psychology, West Virginia State College: John W. Davis, President West Virginia State (College; Harry W. Green, education, West Vir ginia State College; Theodus U. Gunn, librarian, Johnson C. Smjth University; Dwight ; G. JWJ. Holmes, dean graduate sch'jcs Howard University; George W. Jackson, - language, [Florida A. and M. College; James F. Lane, President, Lane College; Ralph O’H. Lanier, dean; ^Houston Junior College; Jesse J. Mark, Jr., biology, Ken tucky State Industrial College; B. E. Mays, dean, School of Re ligion, Howard University; Hen ry L. McCrorey, Johnson C. Smith > University; Lucius Smith, business administra tion, Bluefield State Teach ers’ College; Alrutheus A. Tay lor, dean, Fisk University; Lo renzo D. Turner, English, Fisk University. Among the nationally known educators who are not included are Dr. Mordecai Johnson, President of Howard Universi ty, and Dr. Frederick D. Patter son, Principal of Tuskegee Insti tute, Alabama, THE KNOX PRESBYTERIAL ,YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONFER ENCE, FESSENDEN, FLA. Once again the Conference of the Florida part of Knox Presbytery greets' you through the columns of this pa per, We are ever growing big ger and better and our mission ary, Rev. H. M. Scott, is putting forth every effort to make it the best of all the Conferences. This, you will see, is quite evident, when you shall have completed this article. The doors of Fessenden Acad emy were opened wide to wel come the delegates on June 8th. This school is under the auspic es of the American Missionary Association and is situated 8 miles North of Ocala, Fla., in a very quiet and lovely 'spot. There are seven very modern buildings with all the equip ment to make one comfortable. The President turns the build ings over to the Conference. The doors of this Conference were first opened June 14, 1938, with 25 delegates, eager to help put the program over. At that time the constitution was drawn up and the officers elected. The officers were as follows: Director, Dr. A. B. McCoy; Dean, Rev. H. M. Scott; President, Mrs. E. J. Gregg; Vice - President, Rev. 0. M. McAdams; Secretary, Miss M. L. Turner, and Treas urer, Mrs. H. M. Scott. Although this was a small beginning as far as the num bers are concerned, the courage was great. June 13, 1934, found the doors opened again to the Conference with only 24 pres ent,; but n0*' the least discour aged. Some smiled because it opened on the 13th. Do you think that was the cause of the decrease. June 11, 1935, the Conference was pleased to reg ister 33 delegates—beginning to wake up, you say. Just read on. June 9, 1936, 63 delegated all bubbling over with energfP met, at Fessenden Academy. Let me say it again with a loud voice, 63 delegates! Somebody had been working and working hard. You are smiling to your self, but when you consider that there are only five Negro Presbyterian churches in the State of Florida, and, for the most part, a good distance apart, and that only four of these churches were represent ed with delegates, and that there is no Presbyterian board ing school, you will not wonder that we marvel at this increase of delegates. “Give honor to whom honor is due.” You have often heard this quoted, so here we go. Rev. H M. Scott, who is the all-effi cient missionary of Florida, found the beautiful school in which our Conferences are held and invited us there. He knows how to get around and make it pleasant for everyone. His wife, Mrs. H. M. Scott, who is pleas ing at all times, together with the girls from their missions, saw to it that we received a sufficient amount of palatable food. To Itev. and Mrs. Scott we owe the credit'for about a third of the delegation or more, re presenting their work with the Community Sunday Schools.. Our hats are off to Rev. and Mrs. Scott! We were honored with the presence of the fallowing, re presenting5 the other half of the Conference: Dr. and Mrs. A. S. Clarke, Rev. and Mrs. W. C Jones, Rev, Ibid Mrs. S. Q. Mitch ell and fanw and Miss Essie B. Taylor. *ey were not there just to look on only; each had some part in making the Con ference "Bigger ana reiver. The usual class room work was had under the leadership of a very competent faculty. The general layout of the pro gram was the same as in other Conferences. Each person, I think, received some special benefit from the Conference and went home from the mount of privilege to do better work. . We were sorry Rev. B. J. {Hobson, of Palatka, Fla., could j not be with us on account of the death of one of his faithful members. He did not fail to send his assessment and good wish es to all present. The many friends of Rev. and Mrs. O. M. McAdams will regret to hear of the wreck they had on their re turn trip to St. Petersburg. One young lady sustained a broken arm and Rev. McAdams had to During the absence of Miss M. L. Turner, Mr. Charles Sim mons was elects Secretary. He comes from Jacksonville and is •doing fine work. Miss 'turner is the registrar for the Conference. So here’s to you for a Bigger and Better Conference for 1937. Let us be up and away! M. L. TURNER. THte SYRACUSE GENERAL ' ASSEMBLY By ReVw J. Burton Harper ' ’ '■ There js something really en chanting and glorious which comes to one attending the General Assembly of the Pres byterian Church, U. S. A. This is a body of broad-hearted, soul-winning men and women meeting .together to do business for the Master on terms of fel lowship and peace. There is a feeing of joy and delight as yQU; come in contact with a thousand or more personalities whose hearts are on fire with the Spirit of the Christ. Dr. Lewis S. Mudge, the effi cient Stated Clerk of the Gen eral; Assembly, is a hard work-; ing man, but congenial and con siderate in every deliberation. Dr. Joseph A. Vance^ a church man of the first rank and order, was ever on the job for the pro gress of the Christian Church. Dr.4 Matthews and the newly fleeted Moderator, Dr. Master, With hundreds of others, were high lights of the glorious ses sions of the Assembly carried jfen.in the beautiful, commodious Lincoln High School^AumfcSifc um. The meetings, consisting of much business, with the judi cial commission kept busy, were highly spiritual. It is impossi ble to describe the brotherhood and fellowship displayed among and by the group. Dr. Jennings and the people of Syracuse went their limit to care for the Assembly. The fellowship din ner in the spacious dining room of the Syracuse Hotel was a picture of delight and heavenly joy. I sat at a table of ten with myself. Those men were young, cultured and spiritual. We talked of college and university experiences, and some of the Christian ministry. The action of the men made me feel most comfortable during the hour or more of this great dinner. It would be a joy to heaven if our beloved country throughout could land would display such love! and fellowship one toward the other regardless of color or race. I fully believe the religion of Jesus /Christ /can and will bring this about. It was the joy of my life to be present at, perhaps, the greatest General Assembly that has occurred In the last fifty years. I trust that nothing may occur to retard this fellowship and happiness. If union with the .Southern Church or any other section of the country, or even the world, can be had, may it come without disturbing the peace, love and cooperation ex itsing between our Church, U. S. A., and any of its constitu ents. Rocky Mount, N. C. No man, in common good faith to his fellow citizens, may rightfully assume the duties cf i the high office of Chief Execu tive and take the oath that goes with ; the office, unless he shall intend to keep and shall keep his oath inviolate. — Governor Landon. It is estimated that there are 250,000 Negro Catholics in the United States, Pallas, Texas, July. — (By Claude C. Tedford for ANP>.— Statistics of Progress! Thalia what comprised a good bit of the exhibit space in the Hail of Negro Life at the Texas Cen tennial. But few of these statis tics are* as interesting as those to be found in the Bureau of Census booth set ap by Claries E. Hall, Specialist in Ntgrp Statistics, Washington, D. C. .. Among these statistics are figures on the trend of popula tion that should interest every educator, every civic leader, every divine^ every, business man throughout the nation. In countries like Italy, France and Germany, population nu ans everything. For many years It aly especially has been crying for more space to spread her millions, yet she has put pre miums on the large family. Large, healthy families have been played-up—not birth con trol. Despite the supplanting of man power by machines, lead ers o| countries like these real ize ! that there Is stdl strength in the masses. mui wnat snout me ugru population in America, in tl.ese United States oi aur ? Is it in creasing or decreasing? Are oun educated «young men and women marrying and reproduc ing: their Kind? Well, who cares anyway? The undertaker is elated, in a man ner; of speaking, when there is good business. The physi ian will render fine service when there are babes to be brought safely into the world. But as to the ratio of life and,death, who is watching this? Will nature take care, oi things? Nature does provide quite well for animals, but she gives human beings brain pow er and she expects them' to do a good bit of looking out for: themselves. Let us l°°k at a few of these figures! j Birth Rate Barely Exceeds Death Rate According to Hall’s bulletin in 1934, there were 257,106 Negro births in the Un ted States (exclusive of stillbirths) j and 182,075 deaths, or approxi mately 1'41 births per 100 deaths. The narrow margin may readily be noted. The South seems to have a higher percentage of births than the North. White Ameri cans show a higher rate of in crease than the Negro. In 1933, statistics show that for every 100 Mfeaths, there were 155 white births to 143 births of Negroes. Of course there are many, many reasons for all of this. Principal Causes of Colored Deaths The principal causes of col ored deaths are listed as fol lows: tuberculosis, heart dis ease, pneumonia, diarrhea, en teritis and nephritis. Poor eco nomic conditions, lack of ade quate medical facilities, and ig norance of proper child care, and proper dieting may have a deal of bearing on the high death rate. But what about the high ho micide rate? This muse not he overlooked. In practically ev iry large Southern city the Negro homicide rate is entirely too high. The law enforcement , groups are lax in their handl ng 1 of such cases; but the better el ement of Negroes themselves do not concern themselves enough about having these cul prits punished properly. These .killing scrapes have become so commonplace that the average i fellow merely passes them by Iwith a sigh. vehement Seeker* of uvu Rights The Negro should have equal rights with his white neighbor! That is the vehement cry of the majority of Negro (politicians and civic leaders. But here’s one equality the Ne gro ought to have—hut who is doing anything about it? Who is getting hot hi the collar be cause the race is not reproduc ing, because many, so many of the best young families that che race has to offeree bring ing forth no children? Should Take Care of Family Life .. Many of the white institutions of higher learning are putting in courses, compulsory courses, iealing with vital problems of family life. This is a fine thing, md one that needs careful stu ly by Negro educators. One of :he things that holds the Jews together the world over is their vholesome family life. Here are some interesting dgures on marital conditions .rom Mr. Hall’s bulletin: “Of the total Negro male pop ulation 15 years old and over, 294 of each 1,000 were single, 305 married, 71 widowed, and 29 divorced. Among the fe males, 203 of each 1,000 were i ingle, 595 married, 154 wid >wed and 46 divorced. There vere more divorced Negro males and females in Texas hain in any other State.” Figures Don’t Lie “In the year 1900, there were i42 Negro children in Texas tnder 5 years of age for each .,000 Negro females 15 to 44 /ears of age, but in 1160 there .vere only 373 children, a de crease of 269 children for each i,000 women during1 the 30 year period.” What about the next j0 years? PROTEST TO FARLEY ON TREATMENT OjF POS TAL CLERK New York, July 17.—A sec ond protest to Postmaster Gen- : eral James A. Farley upon the treatment of Marine W. Webb, former employee in the postal service, was sent today by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Wdtb served thirty-siven years in the post oifice depart ment and a few months bef ‘.-e he was eligible to retire on a pension he was accused of steal ing a money order from the mail. He was tried in the Unit ed States District Court at Lit tle Rock, Ark., and found not guilty. Nevertheless, he was i dis charged from the postal service and denied his pension. He is now an old man and reported io be living on a small relief allowance in the city of Chica go. When the N. A. A. C. P. wrote Postmaster General Far ley in April about the Webb case the department repflied that though the Supreme Court had found Webb not guilty, the department thought he was guilty and so it would take no action for his relief. The new protest of the N. A. A. C. P., signed by Roy Wilkins, assistant secretary, i states: “We are writing to inquire if the post office department means to take the position that the United States courts are not to be observed and that the post office department is an author ity greater than the courts of the land. Why have courts? The association expresses its grave concern over the securi ty of thousands of postal em ployees if the post office de partment adopts a policy of overriding the decisions of the courts. There is some ground '■-» for belief that Webb is being • persecuted simply because he is i colored. _ --<**-*-• cfe In common with all my co&n* m trymen, I look forward to the A merica that is to be. It should be a nation in which the old wrong things are going out arid the new right things are com Inc in.-Govonor Undone $
Africo-American Presbyterian (Wilmington, N.C.)
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July 30, 1936, edition 1
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