Page Two
THE BENNETT BANNER
December, 1945
IHE BENNETT BANNER
“Anything Worth AVe Write"
I'K.V CK.NTS A (JOrV
$1.00 PER SUBSCRIPTIOJf
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chairman Nancy L. Pinkard '46 Feature Editor Miriam McTeeb '47
News Editor Thelma Thomas 47’ Business Manager Edith Bishop '46
STAFF ASSISTANTS
Assistant Business Manager Secretary Melba Davis '49
Betty Powers '47 Assistant Secretary Jean McCord '47
Exchange Editor Circulation Manager
Gwendolyn Alexander '47 Louise Armstrong '47
Assistant Circulation Managers
Christine Hartsfield '49 Vivian Greenlee '49
TYPISTS
Lucille Brown '47 Viola Holland '47 Ethel Johnson 47
PROOF READERS
Orial Banks '46 Betty Ann Artis '46 Ruby Love '49 Marian Able '46
REPORTERS
Margaret Caldwell '46 Gwen Cann '49 Camille Dunham 46
Willie Ruth Coles '47 Margaret Henderson '46 Sylvia Rock '49
Barbara Sandford '47 Helen Davis '47 Rose Hogans '47
ADVISER -A- A- MORISEY
EDITORIALLY SPEAKING
MINORU lEs-A (;i!Ai.i,i:x(;i': lo amkric:an di.mocracy
As long as ininorilics sullei the cruelty and iiiec[uality «1 discrimiiia-
lioii, Aiiierua's existing “way «1 lile ' is a challenging threat lo de
moc rac y and a bloc kade lo world peace. Allhoiigh slavery is gone, the
uni\crsal problem ol niinoriues laii be accepted as a jiisl sidjstitiitc.
Mmoriiy irealineni ex]JOses the paradox ol America’s democralic piac-
I K es.
li (eitainly re(|uires no microscojje to see where America stantls in
I'egaiil to the sitiialioii. I'or many years now minority groups have ])re-
sented a tense jjroblem in all spheres ol American lile — social, eco
nomical, pohtical, and leligions. 'I'hey have created a lerx’or ol con-
hision; however, in spite ol the numerous suggestions to eradicate the
|)roblem, none have succeeded. In truth, it is more highly improbable
to asstnne that any defiiiile solution will come so(»i.
In casting about many theories and ideas iiave emerged above the
water, but they have brought no [)ractical sohnion, and stuely another
try can |)rove no less latal.
lielievmg as Kilpatrick that lile in any good and lull sense involves
partic ijjation with others on terms ol mutual sharing and mutual re
spect, theif ate several lactors that might oiler considerable enlight-
meiit. However, it is to be understood that the prol)lem ol minorities
takes on dilleieiit aspects in dillerent sections ol the country. Further
more, the ic'ligious prol)lent is so diverse in sco|)C Irom the racial prob
lem, that the two demand signilicantly dillereiU treatment.
For generations exodus was ollered as an ideal method lor solving
the ))roblem ol racial conllict. loday, this is an utter impossiblity
because, lirst, there is no “\acant" place on earth large enough to hold
the vast numbers ol minoiiiy victims; and second, the cost ol deporta
tion would involve such a tremendous political job and such a stagger-
nig linancial expenditure that it would undoubtedly leave the national
treasury in a state ol bankruptcy. America might as well accept the
lact that minority groups are here to stay and even though they may
be causing considerable annoyance,, they themselves arc not passing the
time in undisttnl)ecl comlort,
riie lirst lactor ol importance is this: America must curb the ma
chine ol human exploitation ol man by man. Lile must become a
table ol ecjuality and a diciicjuary ol universal knowledge, pliable to
all ages, grouj)s, and races. LJntil men learn that they cannot use
Icllow human beings to make their own lives easier, racial tinity will
not be achieved.
Second, we must drive out this "out-molded beliel ol white sti-
piciiiacy". When people take biology and any ol the other “ologies"
u) substaniale racial superiority, then modern science has outgrcwn its
uselulness and is dec lining into a state ol deterioration. In .short, 'AVe
can all improve the wish lo make our democracy C^hristian in the sense
ol making it considerate ol others, but we must be carelid ncjt to claim
tiiat it is (Jiristian in any sense which excludes others Ircjm iieing ec[ual
partners in the democracy."
riiird, since it is so obvious that the "we" gioup attitude as over
against "others" has been so narrowly developed, something must be
done lo eliminaie it entirely. I'nlortunately, the "we" group idea in
stilled in children Irom youth, is strongly objectionable because it
hinders understanding ol the "others" group and permits no adec[uate
opporluniiy lor racial intercourse. Moreover, [jeople so olten judge
an entire group by the actions ol certain individuals. How is it possible
to dislike someone wlieii you don't even know liim?
Foiirih, and last, segregation is closeh' allied with the preservation
ol "white culuire." Racial discrimination is wrong, it causes wide
spread disseiiiion among groups, il creates un|)Ieasantness, and yet
"white America" persists in letaining this "poor excuse" ol culture.
SFl’AR.N. FlOX' will NFVFR solve the ])ioblem.
Most people oiler education and Christianity as the solutions.
Christianity may l)e the answer, but il certainly has made no rapid
progress toward this encl. Fducation has accomjjished little in its task
ol exposing the truth about minority groups and making America
consc ions ol the injustices, handicaps, and wrongs under which minority
groups struggle.
In conclusion, ol this one thing 1 am certain — the problem will
never be solved until it is attacked directly and without lear. De
mocracy can never be a lull-pledged |)iactice until America uses her
national strength to denounce "tyrannical idealists" and publicly abide
hv a "clemocriitic way ol lile." I’nless men become united in one ac ■
coicl, strive to build on a louiulation ol jiisl ec|uality, and use intelli
gent loresight to encompass the breach ol segregation and discrimina-
lion, America's Ititurc is dotibtlul.
It will take a lot of laith and a lol ol belie! to attain this goal,
bill this laith is the only weapon with which America has to light to-
niot row.
/etr'f/e
By EDITH BISHOP
ONCE AGAIN we are in the midst
of another Yuletide season — the
first since the cessation of hostilities;
he first in four long years that we
can sit around our individual tables
and thank God that we are free once
more from the awful scourge o£ war,
bloodshed and stupid hatreds. It
should make us feel like joining with
the poet who said,
‘‘When all they mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view. I’m
lost
In wonder, thanks and praise.”
I WONDER what there is about
the prospects of a Clixistmas holiday
that fills everyone with the “jitters”?
All you can hear is "Only a few more
days” — "I can hardly wait” — Gee,
why doesn’t the 19th hurry up and
come!” And the Freshmen — how
they rub in the fact that they leave
a day ahead of the rest of us! (And
can you l)lame them?)
Readers Retreat
AS USUAL, we observed the tra
ditional Christmas sister week.
Hasn’t it been fun? — not to men
tion the suspense that went along
with it. The real climax came when
our “unknown” sisters became
known" at the Student Senate Party
in the gymnasium. Then we realizea
how completely fooled we had been
in many cases, despite our portests
that “we knew all the time!”
ANOTHER manifestation of the
“good-will” spirit was the party giv
en by the Freshmen for the nursery
school children. The kiddies really
enjoyed every minute of it. Bully for
the “Frosh” — they are really fine!
The W. S. C. S. and the Sunday
School, with the same spirit, dis
tributed gifts to the needy on the
15th.
THE dormitory parties went off
smoothly again. Santa really visited
Merner Hall in a big way. The girls
exchanged gifts among themselves
and the presents really looked good.
’Course, I’d ge prejudiced about
Merner ’cause that’s luy ‘‘Dorm” —
l)ut I lieai- that the rest of the parties
were equally as nice.
DID YOU hear any unusual noises
lately? If so, that must have been
Bennett’s carollers. Seriously though,
the singing was l)eautiful and did
much to add to the festive atmos
phere.
OF COURSE, we can’t speak of
our Christmas activities without at
least mentioning the “Living Ma
donnas” and the choir concert which
were given on the 9th and 16th re
spectively. They were both superb
presentations.
I REALLY must quit now for it’s
time for me to pack my grip and
join the rest of the homeward-bound
souls so — MERRY CHRISTMAS
and HAPPY NEW YEAR from me
to you — and — see you on the 3rd!
THE 1»EA(’0('K SHEDS HIS TAIL
By ALICE TISDALE HOBERT
The rc»acock Sheds His Tail is a
novel that has everything! It is a
story of international marriage with
Modern Mexico as its setting. Though
the book deals with many characters,
Concha Navarro is the person around
whom the story is centered.
Born of an aristocratic family.
Concha bears all the outward marks
of her class; she is charming, cul-
ttu’ed, interesting and admirable.
She has the courage to meet life and
all of its disappointments without
flinching.
Old Don Julian, Concha’s grand
father is the typical Spanish aristo
crat and his wife Mama Grande is
the complete mati'iarch. Concha’s
brother, Nacho introduces into the
family, a young man from the United
States Embassy, James Buchanan
with whom Concha falls in love and
marries in the face of violent family
opposition. As a result of this marri
age, Buchanan is forced to give up
his diplomatic career. The next po
sition Jim takes is in a large oil
company as a public relations man
who attempts to reconcile American
interest with Mexican progress.
Other problems delt with in this
powerful novel are the governmental
attempts at reform, education of the
peasants, a widening ownership of
land, and the opposition these forces
meet. Life on a co-operative haciejida
is presented with fascinating details.
No other book written by Mrs.
Hobart has such warmth and deep
understanding. The author brings
into play her finest skill i’u champ
ioning the underdog. The reading of
this book would most assuredly give
the reader a vivid picture of racial
intercourse and the common human
ity of all peoples.
SWIX(; LOW—EDWIX A. 1>EEBLES
■‘Swing Low” is the heartwarming
story of Negro “city” life. The first
novel of Mr. Peeljles, the story’s set
ting is Atlanta’s notorious Billiard
Alley. It centers around the life of
Willie Mac, a slow, quiet, respect
able, yet extremely passionate Ne
gro, and his big motherly, religious
wife, Amy, who find life far more
turbulent and distressing iu Billiard
Alley than on their peaceful, little
Georgia farm.
In this penetrating novel the
author has captured all the charm,
slow spoken humor, violence and
terror of the “city” Negro. With these
forces he has combined the fear and
hatred of some poor whites for the
Negro and the understanding of a
few whites of their darker brothers.
The result, a simple yet powerfully
written book of human life.
“Swing Low” is a short novel
which is easy to read. For those
who read it, it will give a clear,
vivid picture of the temptations and
hazards of city life and the desire
and longing of all Negroes for peace
and security in life.
Mr. Peebles could have had no
other reason for writing “Swing
Low” than pure understanding and
compassion for the Southern “city”
Ne,gro and his problems, for had he
any other reason, he could not have
portrayed the life of the Negro in
such an enlightening and sympathiz
ing manner. You’ll enjoy, “Swing-
Low”.
NEWS QUIZ:
10.
lationships Dr. Benjamin Mayes
recently received what award?
What play now on Broadway ad
vocates better race relations and
what Negro actor has a starring
role?
(Score 10 pts. for each correct
answer. Answers on page 4)
1. The Chinese Nationalist Party is
called (a) The Toa Teh King, (b)
The Kuomintang, (c) The Con-
fuscionist Party.
2. Who are the three Negro women
delegates of the International
Woman’s Meet in Paris?
,■!. Who was this year’s Nobel Peace
award presented to?
4. What outstanding Negro was re-iioo per cent report from the Jack-
Alumni Notes
“Although the Alumnae Drive is
not over, after receiving word of the
SIM TKITY AJIERICA’S MAJOR
l.XTEKEST ASSERTS “Y”
SKCHKTARY
Miss Nora Ventura of Lucknow,
India, National Religious Education
Secretary of the Y. W. C. A. of Bur
ma, India and Ceylon, placed security
as the major interest of the Amer
ican people during her recent visit
to the campus.
The speaker surmised that al
though America is the most resource
ful and richest nation in the world,
notwithstanding the fact that it has
remained practically untouched by
war. she should be the last nati'on
to place security above other inter
ests.
“The majority of the peoples of
India and throughout Europe are
seldom aware of the source of their
next meal,” said Miss Ventura, “and
yet security is not their chief Inter-
cently elected to direct the
Phelps-Stokes fund?
5. The results from a recent radio
rating of news commentators
placed whose name at the top
of the list?
6. The name Radar was coined
from the words (a) Radio seri
als, (b) Radio detection and
Ranging, (c) Radio art of Ratio
cination.
7. What great American song writ
er died November 5 ?
8. What l)ill concerning a national
holiday recently passed the Sen
ate?
9. For promoting better racial re-
est. The situation in India and other
parts of Europe is one that solici’ts
the aid of America both economical
ly and spiritually. The eyes of these
people are on America, the supposed
ly Christian nation, to see what steps
she will take in settling the problems
brought about by war. To India, this
will lie the test of the validity of
American Christianity.”
India is the source of the majority]
of the world’s population; likewise
it is the source of the majority of
the world's poverty. Are we going to
sleep through her period of crisis?
In concluding, Miss Ventura dis
closed the type of social system found
in India and various aspects of In
dian culture. Said the speaker, “De
spite the existing conditions within
a country, home is the best place
anyone can go.”
sonville area, Mrs. Pauline Waters
Smith, group: representative, and the
reports coming in from other areas,
we feel quite sure that the Loyalty
Fund campaign will reach a success
ful climax, “said Mrs. Grace C. Gates,
Association president. The dri've ends
December 11.
DID YOU KNOW THAT: Nettie
Houston ’45 is now Mrs. Cressie Thig
pen?
Cute, little Valena Minor became
the wife of Captain Earl R. Lane of
Wickliffe, Ohio, December 7. Valena,
former editor of the Banner, was a
graduate of the class of ’43, and is
now associated with the Cleevland
Call and Post.
From the Bennett Alumnae and
fellow sisters throughout the states
conies a sincere wish for The Merri
est Christmas Ever and a New Year
filled with Happiness.”
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