PAGE FOUR
EDITORIALS
ON NEGROES AND THE OLYMPICS
The fine showing of male Negro ath
letes, especially in the dashes and mid
die distance events and in the broad and
high jumps, has been s<y consistent and
over such a long period of time that it
has come to lie taken for granted. The
nows created by the Olympic trials was
not that there was such a high proper
non of colored men among those quali
fvi.'ig. but rather the failure of Fonvilla
■'did Dillard to qualify in their special
ties. Each was the unquestioned best in
his specialty, but a combination of cir
cumstances kept each from qualifying in
nr specialty for the Olympic team. Fon
vihe was left behind, but Dillard made
the squad on his performance in the
dashes, and more than paid for his boat
ride by winning the 100-meter dash, ty
ing the Olympic record in the process.
; Women athletes attract far less atten
lh n than the men, so it is not surprising
t'.at little publicity has been given to the
fact that eight of the eleven members of
the American women’s track and field
squad are Negroes. That circumstance
is nonetheless remarkable, however, and
we think our readers should have their
attention turned to the less publicized
pre-eminence of Negro women in ath
letics. It is noteworthy also that 25 per
emit of the American female squad is
fmm Tuskegee. That is true probably be
cause I uskegee is one of the few insti
tutions in the I nited States in which a
conscious effort has been made to de
velop competitive athletics for women
along the same lines that other institu
tions strive for excellence in athletics for
men.
i
While on the subject of Negroes in
competitive athletics it may be of interest
to note that not a single Negro appears
on the American Olympic team outside'
pf track and field and boxing. There are
ho Negro swimmers, or tennis or golf
players, or gymnasts, or winter sports
4
performers, and so on down the list.
It is quite possible that the average
! '
'American would explain this if indeed
J’c considered it at all. by asserting that
jhe Negro has a natural racial talent for
running and jumping and boxing; that
his success in these sports is related to
afome peculiarity in his anatomy. But wo
think that the explanation lies largely
£1 sew here.
It
*■ The Negro athlete has succeeded in
jjhose sports in which tradition and social
Custom have allowed him to compete and
to develop, and having succeeded where
the opportunity was given, it has come
§o be assumed that his abilities were con
fined to those fields. The Negro’s excel
lence in track has in itself become a tra
■
fiit ion. As is so often the case it is ac
cepted that he can do what he has done
he has had the opportunity),
Ind assumed that he cannot do what he
gas not done (though never given an op
portunity).
a In genera! the Negro has gained prom
inence in those competitive sports in
which the competition is on an individual
basis, requiring the minimum of associa
tion and co-operation with fellow play
ers, teammate or competitor; where every
ihaividual is on his own; where individual
Ixcellence is unmistakable. Admitted to
such competition because of the relative
Absence of the “social” element, the Ne-
I:
fro has succeeded in those sports to a
Remarkable degree, and his probable ta
lents in other lines have been allowed to
go by default. That this surmise of ours
& a true expanation is witnessed by the
success of Negroes in college football for
i -
THE CAROLINIAN
i Published by The Carolinian Publishing Co
Vast Marcolt R*.
: Entered a? second-class matter, April 6. 1340, at
&e Poet Office at Raleigh, N. C.. under the Act
& March 3 1879
l P. R JIERVAY, Publisher
C. D HALLIBURTON. Editorials
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; One Year. $3.50; Six Months, $2.00 JP
Address, ai) communications »nu make all
Checks payable to The Carolinian rather than *o
fwShviduois The Carolinian expressly repudiates
responsibility for return of unsolicited pictures,
manuscript, etc,, unless stamps art* sent.
many years in those parts of the country
in which it has become accepted that Ne
groes be admitted to competition, and
more recently by the admission of Ne
groes to professional football on the basis
of their success in the college game.
Something of the same thing is happen
ing in big league baseball, Suit with nit
the assistance of the college precedent
and background as in football. In both
professional football and baseball the
financial incentive of course is an added
stimulus to experimentation in ignoring
or overcoming tradition and pre-judg
ment.
There are lessons in this which tran
scend the intrinsic value of games and
'snorts, great as that value is. For thos-i
who will see, there is valuable evidence
that the Negro may achieve creditably in
any field of endeavor in which he has
any equal chance from scratch with all
other competitors, freed from the handi
caps of pre-judgment and given a fair
opportunity th rough out,
The American people are deeply in
■ crested in sports, and at hoi tom sub -
scribe to the principles of fair play on
which all good games and sports rest.
As both participants and spectators ob
serve what happens when Negroes
achieve in athletics in proportion as the
harriers and hobbles and handicaps are
removed, to some extent at least they will
reflect that the same might happen in
other and more fundamental human ac
tivities, and, what is more importanL
might conclude that real equality of op
portunity for each individual and in ev
ery situation is only fair, is the American
way.
DOING HfS PART
President Truman, in issuing his exe
cutive order of a few weeks ago calling
for the elimination of racial discrimina
tion in the Federal civil service, did some
thing which was within his own powers
as chief executive. He took steps which
had been urged or suggested for a long
time, as it was plain that if he was sin
cere about his civil rights proposals to
Don gross, he would certainly have to do
what was within his own jurisdiction to
correct discriminatory and unfair prac
tices within the administrative branch of
the government.
Some Negroes were disappointed that
the President did not order an e n d of
segregation in the armed’ forces. It was
felt by these critics that as commander
in-chief of the Army and Navy he had
ample power to do so and should have
exercised it. It should be noted, however,
that he did issue orders aimed at tie
elimination or discriminatory practices
limiting the rights and opportunities of
colored personnel in the armed forces.
Should these orders be carried out a tre
mendous change for the better will re
sult, and the consequent improvement in
the morale of Negro servicemen and ci
vilians alike will be assured. It may also
have escaped the notice of many that in
a press conference soon after the issuance
of the executive order President Truman
derated that, the ultimate goal of his
program is the elimination of all segre
gation in the army.
I lie President continues to xhibit his
courage, and it is courage whether or
not there are political motives behind his
actions and statements. And speaking of
politics. Truman still needs the electoral
votes of the southern states if he has any
hopes of being re-elected. There is some
thing more than politics behind his re
fusal to try to appease those parts of the
South which he has not, already lost and
which arc at best only lukewarm toward
him. We still hod that whatever Presi
dent Truman’s other limitations, he is sin
cerely in favor of first-class citizenship
f< ; Negroes, and that he is net afraid
to go no record as to his convictions. In
this respect his performance throughout
his term has not been below* that of any
man who has so far occupied the chief,
executive's seat.
Aa-W- •*,, v u-i
- Pf rV\\
--A „cP> .r
1\ 4,p-H S;,v ' cf\f s ,A •%'<„',
■ /-A ' •vw*.'*,-. {
- <& ' '~ !
“TALKED TO DEATH!"
'mßm® I
SSI
H| lecoisd Ilu uimi A j
9 t», w. u - j
*
The Dixiocra!.' and othc..
making a ;;a-;r deal of the dan
cer Mud the United States may
become a "policp stale cei -
tain t'< ■■ i• •; .it 1-. gi. lalion is , -isi.ed.
'1 he Dixie. avs of all ncopl
should keep quiet or. the sub
ject f the police state, for if
i- generally rec-'gnized Hint th*'
definition e! such a st.e • is no
i n which government arbitran-
J\ mterfe’os with the ordinary'
liberties o 4 individuals In th;.
~ nv the seiit.beni s? itc • ol tile
Union are police state;- at-. >
have i-e.-n f.many a Hay m
their official dealing;- with tie r
Negr ■ citr.a ns Thi ■ ver and
above the dealings of white in
dividual:! with Negroes as in
dividuals.
The essence of lim-crow ",
the inv ismn of the lights ot 1
class of individuals, ei th; es
tahlirhir.ent of ihcir status on
a different and low- r level th. n
that of other , .'•zoos li U die
via*'' f " hi--h the Dixieera*
candidate for president, is no v
the chief, executive which has
exhausted all the possibilities of
law and law enforcement to dis
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Andrew, the nan whpc broughl
others
Matt 4; 18: Mark 1:16-21, 29;
3:18; 13:3 7
Memory Selection He
brought him to Jesus—John 1:42
John Baptist's name ban
gone down as one o! the great
est preachers of all ages, yet
it was in the company of ills',
two men that one of his great
test sermons was preached. “An
drew: John, behold, look, there
he is the Lamb of God that
tak ,‘s away all men’s sin."
The result of this cry was. An
drew and John who had so!
lowed John the Baptist up to
that, time turned their backs on
him and followed Jesus. They
heard, they looked and thui fol
lowed. Andrew and John went
home with Jesus.
After Andrew had come in
WHAT’S NEW?
Bv pre ssmg the elf-s‘artc:
button on the lop o! -alt and pep
per servers molded of plastic, an
accurately measured spray of
sen renin; • e- mechanically forc
ed from the bottom of the con
tainer. Since the plunger button
■n the; • sereer i« white for-salt,
and black for pepper, they pre
vcnl ’nr iOiimuJti Jni-inkr ('f . : •
leeiinc .••alt for pepper and vice
versa.
Insurance papers and similar
document;;, to be kept for a con
.-idPi able icng’h of time, get add
ed protection from covers and
jacket made of pin -tic Made
from extruded tubing that is
heat sealed at one end. these cov
er are transparent, flexible, wa
terproof. lightweight, oil and
greaseproof, non
abrasive. and fai -resistant.
New well-designed utensil han
dle:; remain cool to the touch and
re am their attractive appearance,
dr pit'" oven and top of stove heat
and frequent washing
A chemically controlled combi
nation ice pack and hot wider
bottle that can be carried in o
coat pocket or brief case is being
introduced The hot or cold pack,
which, can chill a fevered brow
oi comfort a strained ligament, vs
achieved bv the use of a special
contained in n plastic bag.
TTHB CAROLINIAN
franchise citizens of the United
States a;el of dud stub.
When t - . i telling HU-
Yf*ris what t<> d<.' Dnd n >t (o do
and mak:ni! tin m conform to
such arbin ary m rhus thi south
t ■ n Mat- s in dealing with No
ernes have got tin. fedora! gov
etnment in it- actual <md pro
posed control "vs the genera!
utizenre ‘'skint a mile."
H anvotie wants i..i make a
rtudy of -•> bit at > ' * ; bv
law over tin- ae;,->n and la-ha
vim* of citizens in ,i ''.femocr-i
< v" (has pi i sou -.ivudd begin by
siudvnig the um cryv*' l.dute
studying tne jmi ■ r-.w statutes
and orebnanoes oj ho South,
their strong-arm application by
f 1 1: 'o ->f tii.- .v, and then on
terroinent b- ’ a c n.i- ' Ana < i
from some of Hi' thing.-, th
p.ur- happened to Am'-rcari
•.vnrkcrs during fan >' -tisMirb
inces. more exanriples "1 pul ice
tale methods will be : >und in
•he care historn • of Negioos in
Dixie than .(nv-vh"'. else !.ic
-Indent might look.
The state tinnpors in tii, Co
iiimbia, Tennessee, not; the
Batesinirg. S. C , policeman wo
;ontaot with Jesus his greatest
desire was to bring others to
the Master. Andrew's soul was
filled with more toy than h :
could keep to hunseif He went
~nd found his brother Simon,
iie told him about Jesus and
prevailed upon his brother to
follow Jesus. Andrew immedl
ately entered upon the task ot
Christian Missions. He felt him
self secure with Jesus. He want
ed his brother and others to
feel the same.
The same spirit should exist
in the soul of every Christian
today. When we find Jesus our
i ext move should bo to bring
our brother to him also.
It is evident the stage was
already set when Jesus passed
by the sea and called them tv
be His disciples, they immedi
ately followed. ‘Jesus said come
vp after Mr and I will make you
fishers of men." Every person
who follows Christ is a fisher of
THEY’LL NEVER DIE sv Sto* ?**}
! i
"jwl*
3 APT/$7 MtMSTER
AND EDUCATOR
Fcispare*
blinded the recently discharged
Negro soldier; Bull Connor, ot
Birmingham (tov the wav, h
■a ; i ;• do legate to she Demo
cratic National Convention, and
one of those who valkwi out
end 'iiuxt hack to Alabama to
.help torin Die party to fight for
states' rights and individual
freedom against the encroach
meats of a "lasciid" federal
guv* rnment); ‘lie officers ol
•1 law who can re v , find wh i
•.he lynch es we registration
■ fficiais arid cops who intimi
date would -be voter.-, and re
ant;.. those .n examples
of the police state. American
style.
It would be funny that the
governors of South Carolina
and -I- ■. ppi should be the
standard bearers for this new
uarty championing the liber tv
d the individual against the
- m roachmments of gnvei nmeni
it would he funnv if the-o
■•■ ere not so manv people who
take the thing seriously and
don't see the joke When peopi”
ion't see the joke, for all prac
tical purposes there isn't any
men. Andrew and Simon left
their nets where thev were and
f' Mowed Jesus. Every person
who truly accepts Jesus will
leave their nets where they are
and follow Him.
It, was Andrew who found the
lad with the fishes and loaves
when the multitude was hungry
Andrew presented the lad to
Jesus. It was Andrew who had
the privilege of introducing the
Grecians to Jesus.
Today the job of finding and
bringing people to Christ has
been left in the hands of the
preachers. The preacher muJi
play his part, but every Chris
tian must likewise play his part
If every person who is a Chris
tian would bring a sinner to
Christ the world would soon be
Christian. We must dedicate
ourselves to the work of Christ,
we must speak of Him wheiv
ever wc go; we must bring oth
ers to I'fim
90 YEAttS A6O HARRISON
N BOUEY WAS BORN IN
AUGUSTA. GA- AS A BOV HE
LEARNED THE PAINTER'S
TRADE --ATTENDING SCHOOL
AT NIGHT.
FOR TWO YEARS HE WAS
A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER
IN AUGUSTA, AND.AT 21
ENTERED AUGUSTA'S
BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY* 9 YEARS
LATER HE WENT TO AFRICA
AS A MISSIONARY - SERV
ING FOR 3 YEARS IN
MONROVIA
RETURNING-TO THE US A
HE BECAME FINANCIAL
AGENT OF SELMA UNIV*
AND AN EXECUTIVE MEMBER.
OF THE ALABAMA STATE'
MISSION BOARD- HE WAS
ALSO ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF
"the Baptist pjomecr"
WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, AUGUST 14,
BISHOP
||igj| MEDFORD 1
Says:
The Christian Index of recent date says that President Tru
man "Stuck his neck out" when he advocated enforcing Civil
Rights legislation; that Civil Rights in America mean largely
‘’Negro Rights". We agree* with Index in toto and want to add
that if there is such a thing as the Negro '"-ticking his neck, out"
politically, he ought in turn to stick it out for President lruman
in November, The Negro will not amount to a great deal in Poli
tics until he learns to stand by his proven friends with his ballot
irrespective of Party.
At this writing the Associated Press is heralding that 35,000
Negroes will vote in the South Carolina Democratic Primary Tues
day, August 10. That being so, a new day's a-dawning tor the
Negro of that State. The Democratic Primary is about the only
election in that virtually one Party State. The only things the
Negro needs to do its to look ’em over, examine their record of
fairness .and friendship fur him over the years and cast his vote
for the ones he can call the* Negro’s friends. Later on when enough
of them can get together they can elect a member of the Race to
State Legislature and still later on to the United States Congress
Illinois and New York have done it, why not South Carolina, in
The Sweet bye and bye,"
Negroes waste too much money attending conventions, con
ferences, both of churches and secret, orders, beauticians, etc. Too
much, time is spent in making windy speeches and socializing at
these meetings, and too little helpful business done, and railroads,
bus lines and those who sell gasoline along the way are the chief
benefactors as result of these 'Conventions", The Negmes and
others need many things much worse than a multiplicity of Con
ferencex and Conventions in various sections of the country
John Wesley AME Zion Church,, Washington. D C. of which
Dr. Stephen G. Spottswood is pastor, tendered the writer and Mrs
Medford a brilliant reception in honor of our election to the Bi
shopric of the Denomination at tile General Conference in Louis
ville, Ky . May Jft4B. The write; was pastor of the great John
Wesley Church 192) 1928 and was elected Secretary-Treasurer-
Pd it or of Foreign Missions Board of the Connection from that
pulpit by the General Conference May 1928. Among those win
made felicitous addresses w« Mrs. Josphine H. Kyles of the
Washington Federation of Churches, Dr. D. C. Pope and Dr. R.
Farley Fisher General Officers of the AME Zion Church; and
Attorney Thai man l. Dodson. President of the National Bai As
social ion.
Bishop B. G. Shaw of Birmingham, Ala., Bishop W. J Walls,
Dr D. P. Thomas, Dr James W Eichelberger of Chicago, Mrs.
Abbie Clement Jackson. Louisville. Ky, are delegates from the
AME Zion Church to the World Council of Churches at Amster
dam, Holland, August 22, 1948, for its 14 days session at which
forty nations will be represented
HERE AND THERE
That the National Football classic (Tennessee state vs. Wilber
force -,t »;•. Washington, D. C.. Oct 23) is no gyp promotion project
i: proved by the dNpc sit ion of the funds from the event; 66 2-3
ni the net to the participating colleges; 6G of the net to the coach
nit, staffs ol the coll* cos; 6D of certain portions of the gross take
t. the United Negro College fund: balance for operation, promo
tion and sinking funds. If this squarely promoted project isn't
worth supporting, then nothing of its kind ever was. Congratula
tion, promoters
Washington insiders are predicting that the committee to raise
.money for the Truman campaign will get that million dollars.
Reasons: (a) Negroes know now that the President will not back
down from his civil .ights fight, and (b> they also know that,
they must reward their friends. (God help us if we don't).
The White House will make a grave mistake if a , Negro worn
an is not included on the committee to watch the military’s integra
tion procedures, say observers.
Something tells us that Ma Bethune will soon be heard from,
i. all her unmatched way, on the political battlefield. And what she
has to say will reach attentive ears, too.
Nomination for a grade A organization exec. H. Council Tren
holm (Alabama State), executive secretary of the American Teach
ers association
And speaking of rallege prexys, Bill Gray (Florida A and M),
has no peer in the country in progressive planning. Ever see his
building program? Tnat new hospital!
Joe Albright (VA aide) to vets in Atlantic City: “Never forget
that Negro vets are as far along the road as we are because of
tl e Negro press. If w« fail to remember that, we will bp guilty
o' the grossest ingratitude." He ought to know.
Incidentally, Alb’-ight refused to comment on his recent con
fer! nee with Gen Hoyt Vandenberg, chief of staff, Air force, but
it is a safe bet that the conversation dwelt a while, at least, on
full integration oi Ne poes in the service.
Big Joe, you kr-.v, was the first Negro in Air force (during
the war) to deliver lectures to the entire personnel (white, that
is- of air bases. And while you are listening, Albright is all ou*
so; Col. Benjamin Davis, whom he greatly admires, and would be
very happy to see the famous colonel made a general. (As he should
b. , Gen. Vandenberg.)
Question for the week; Who will be smart enough to secure
.he services of the brilliant. Ann Mason, now that she is leaving
the housing agency? The line forms to the right.
Getting tired of paying so much for your groceries? If congress
do* sn’t do something about price control, you ain’t seen nothing
yc i.
Is the fine hand of Clarence Mitchell (labor secretary, NAAOP)
wible in thp construction of the President’s fair employment di
rt ctive for government agencies?
QUESTION
By JOE SHEPHARD
Do Gods grow tired and wearv,.
And err as mortal men,
When the end and aim of their labors
Seem to lie beyond their ken?
Do they pause at their work and wonder
ff the candle is worth its cost.
And feel an urge to destruction
Counting their labor as lost?
Do they find ease in bitter laughter,
At the end of a futile day,
Or do they shrug and dismiss the errors
As the fault 6f the worthless day?