Africo-Americ
“AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.”—John viii, 32.
CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1925.
NO. 32.
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VOL. XLVII.
TOWARD INTER RACIAL UNDERSTANDING
By W. W. Alexander
Secretary, Commission on Inter-racial Cooperation, Federal
Council of Churches.
American race questions are
but part of a race problem which
exists around the world. In
Egypt, South Africa, India and
the Pacific are racial situations
in many respects almost identi
cal with those in the United
States, and usually more acute.
The race problem in America
would of itself be of little signif
icance. But as an important
segment of a circle of suspicion
and misunderstanding that
reaches around the globe, includ
ing unnumbered millions of
many races and climes, it is of
great significance.
Among the groups recently
brought into the closet of con
tacts, ‘‘tinted races” comprise by
far the larger number; but for
some time past the untinted mi
nority have enjoyed by far the
larger measure of control over
the affairs of the world. Unfor
tunately, this privileged minori
ty has not always exercised its
power in such a way as to in
spire the confidence of its sub
jects. Indeed, the exercise of
power rarely ever does result in
confidence. Its very possession
inspires suspicion, for which his
tory has furnished ample and
plausible grounds.
Exploitation vs. Cooperation.
In the past, human contacts
were dominated by the philoso
phy of exploitation. In theory,
at least, this philosophy has
been abandoned. The passing of
slavery would seem to indicate
that the improvement is real.
However, the psychology result
^in^F^Tiofh groups aiid
vastly complicates race relations
today. On the one side is con
tempt and condescension for
those formerly held in servi
tude; on the other side there
is resentment and suspicion.
One of the leading dailies of
America has recently given re
peated expression to the senti
ment that the white race must
dominate the other peoples of
the world and that some sort of
cooperation among white na
tions must be brought about at
once, particularly in the interest
of controlling the Pacific. The
editor tells us that the people
of the East must be kept “un
der.” An eminent American col
lege professor recently brought
out a volume in which he seeks
to establish the following thesis:
Civilization in the past was
based upon the economic exploi
tation of one class by another
within the same racial groups;
exploitation within the white
group must stop; it must pre
pare at once for a campaign of
exploitation among the other
races of the world. This senti
ment has found cruder and more
popular expression in the Ku
Klux Klan.
The religion of Jesus is the
only influence either willing or
able to challenge this philosophy
of dominance and psychology of
exploitation. The future of civ
ilization is not in the hands of
any one race. It is rather the
task of men of goodwill from
among many races. Right
methods of racial adjustment
can be discovered only by a dem
ocratic process, and men of oth
er races have as definite a con
tribution to make to the discov
ery as those of the white race.
In every race there are men of
the Christian spirit who know
that special privilege is a men
ace to individual and social pro
gress, and who are willing to
forego it and join like-minded
men from other groups in the
search for inter-racial justice
through service and helpful
ness.
Racial adjustment is rendered
imore difficult by lack of any
comprehensive body of trust
worthy facts regarding race.
These facts are not easily gath
ered no rreadily interpreted.
Long periods are required to de
I termine the meaning of tenden
cies among racial groups. The
technique for studying racial
differences is as yet crude and
elementary. Moreover, feeling
plays so large a part in racial
attitudes that it is different for
men to be rational. Feelings
easily crystallize into dogma. In
America today, for example,
dogmatic statements about rela
tive racial capacity are being an
nounced, founded so far not on
scientific research, but on bare,
unsupported assumptions.
The Promise of the Negro.
It should not be supposed,
however, that prejudice and an
tagonism constitute the univer
sal American attitude toward
the Negro. Thoughtful Amer
icans, North and South, do not
share these sentiments. In
America’s experience with Ne
groes they see nothing to justi
fy hysteria or pessimism as to
the ultimate outcome. On the
contrary, they see much to en
courage the hope that racial dif
ferences will yet be found not a
menace to civilization, but a
means for its enrichment, not
a cause of war, but an opportu
nity for fellowship in the com
mon tasks of human welfare.
The educational processes have
not been in operation long
enough or with sufficient thor
oughness to indicate finally what
special capacities American Ne
groes may possess. They have,
however, shown an inclination
to the arts that has already en
riched our national life. This
h<asshad; itsjnost pronaising-eXT.
presstdh in music ana poetry.
There have been significant out
croppings also in painting, sculp
ture and dramatics. With al
most no opportunity, Negroes
have done conspicuous work in
science. Prof. George Carver, of
Tuskegee Institute, has startled
the world with his original and
valuaDle contributions to the
science of agricultural chemis
try. Other contributions may
be expected in this field as op
portunities open. Not the least
encouraging aspect of Negro life
in America is the emphasis
placed on education and religion
as the forces which can contri
bute most to the advancement
of the race.
While the condition of Negroes
in America is steadily improv
ing, they still labor under not a
few burdensome handicaps and
disabilities. Though provisions
for Negro education are increas
ing rapidly, the ratio of public
outlay per child still averages
four or five times as much for
white children as for colored.
For higher education the Negro
must yet depend largely upon
institutions supported by benev
olent boards and individuals.
Public utilities, such as parks,
playgrounds, pools, libraries,
are provided but sparingly for
city-dwelling Negroes in the
South. The streets in colored
sections are not infrequently
found unpaved, ill-lighted and
without sewers. Perhaps in not
many communities have Negroes
an equal chance before the law,
where, if anywhere in the world,
men ought to be equal. Indis
criminate arrests, ready police
clubs and petit courts where men
are esteemed guilty until they
prove themselves innocent, are
the means by which injustices
innumerable are inflicted. Mob
violence and lynching, though
all too common still, nevertheless
appear to be waning rapidly be
fore an awakened public con
science.
The Segregation Issue.
Segregation, in many forms,
still holds general sway, partic
ularly in the South—separation
in schools, places of entertain
ment and of public recreation,
common carriers, hotels, etc.
Residential segregation is com
mon, in most cases by tacit un
dertsanding, in others by city
PROVIDES FOR IEGRO CRIPPLED
CHILDREN
B. N. Duke Gives $15,000 to Establish Ward for Negro Crippled
Children at Orthopedic Hospital.
The crying need for provisions
for Negro crippled children,
which has been noted through
out the State, has been answered
by a gift of fifteen thousand dol
lars, given by B. N. Duke, of
New York, to establish a ward
for Negro children at the State
Orthopedic Hospital at Gasto
nia.
Appeal was made to the last
Legislature for such provision,
and after failure to provide
funds, Mrs. Johnson brought the
need to the attention of Mr.
Duke, who promptly responded
with his gift. The sum will
build and equip a ward of ten
beds and maintain it until the
next session of the General As
sembly. Then it will be neces
sary to ask only for contindfed
maintenance.,.
In the course of the clinics for
crippled children held in the va
rious parts of the State during
the last two years, many Negro
children have come under the at
tention of Dr. 0. H. Miller, chief
surgeon of the Orthopedic Hos
pital, and Miss Emeth Tuttle, of
the Division of Case Work of the
State Welfare Board. Advice
was given and a diagnosis of
each case was made; but no or
thopedic treatment was availa
'ij£, except in a few instances in
f ivate hospitals.
One case examined at a clinic
May at Halifax County re
aired immediate care in a hos
ital. X sum of at least $300
as required, and since the fath
r had practically no means be
ond the bare-expenses of the
amily, the rural supervisor was
ijitsked to seek means. The child
Was a boy of five, who had been
unable to walk after pneumonia
Id two years of age. Dr. Miller
diagnosed the trouble as a path
ological dislocation of the hip.
Hospital care will better condi
tions.
Another child, a colored girl
of ten, had suffered from a fall
several months ago. She had
hurt her knee badly and Dr.
Miller declared that she was in
need of surgical and jmedical
treatment. The child’s father
was a poor tenant farmer in poor
condition. She will probably be
cared for at the new ward.
These two cases are typical of
the kind of children who need
help. Mr. Duke’s timely gift is
Certain to be productive of work
Qf a constructive nature.—Pub
ljc Welfare Progress.
ordinances, which are now be
ing tested legally and which in
two recent cases have been de
clared unconstitutional by the
lower courts. Public sentiment
rtot * infrequently
to exclude Negroes from certain
professions and trades, makes
access to the means of culture
difficult for them, and denies
them participation in many
forms of public service.
Advocates of segregation de
fend it on the ground that arti
ficial barriers are necessary for
the maintenance of racial integ
rity. On the other hand, there
are those who hold that in so
far as segregation is made a
badge of inferiority, it defeats
the very purpose it professes to
serve, in that it breaks down re
spect for the Negro’s personali
ty, retards the development of
self-respect, and makes inevita
bly for illicit amalgamation. One
can explain on no other ground
the large measure of interming
ling of blood that has already
taken place. It is pointed out
that in the West Indies, where
enforced segregation does not
exist, racial intermixture,
through marriage and other
wise, is no greater than here.
Happily there are many
gleams of light. Progress is be
ing made at a rate that is most
encouraging to anyone who has
a sense of perspective. Church
councils are all demanding that
the principles of Jesus be applied
to these questions. Thousands of
church groups are seeking to un
derstand and to realize this
ideal. Multitudes of college stu
dents, destined to be the lead
ers of the next generation, are
dropping off age-long accretions
of prejudice and looking at this
question intelligently and hon
estly. Negro leaders are being
listened to with profound inter
est. The newspapers, almost
without exception, are voicing
the plea for justice. Inter-racial
committees throughout the
country are working together
for mutual helpfulness.
The goal is yet a long way
ahead. There are vast barriers
of ignorance, misconception and
prejudice still blocking the path.
Yet in the light of present
trends it is possible for the eye
of faith to look forward to a day
when understanding, justice and
goodwill shall prevail between
the white and colored races in
America.—Federal Council Bul
letin.
LAW AND ORDER BILL
PENDING IN GEORGIA.
Atlanta, Ga.—Georgia will
join the growing list of Southern
j|ates.. whicji are. taking active
steps to end rioting and mob vi
olence if the Legislature enacts
the Law and Order Bill intro
duced in the House of Represen
tatives last week.
The bill, entitled, “An Act to
Maintain Law and Order,” pro
vides that in any case of riot,
riotous assembly, or mob vio
lence, careful investigation shall
be made by the Judge of the Su
perior Court. If it appears from
this investigation that any sher
iff, deputy sheriff, jailer, or oth
er peace officer was negligent or
incompetent in dealing with such
disorder, the Chief Justice or
other Justice of the Supreme
Court shall appoint a special
Law and Order Commission to
hear all the evidence in the case
and render judgment as to the
faithfulness or negligence of the
officer in question. If he is
found by the Commission to have
been negligent, judgment to that
effect shall be communicated to
the Governor, who in turn shall
remove the officer from his po
sition. Proof that any' person
was taken from the custody of
the officer by the mob, oririlled
or injured while in his custody,
shall be prima facie evidence of
neglect, to be offset only by af
firmative proof that the officer
had in fact used all reasonable
precaution and exercised the ut
most diligence in the effort to
maintain order.
The bill provides further that
in the case of an officer so ad
judged negligent in the preven
tion of rioting or violence, the
Attorney General of the State
shall bring suit against such of
ficer for the full value of any
property destroyed by the mob
and for the sum of $500 for each
homicide committed by it. Any
person removed from office un
der the provisions of the act
shall be disqualified for a period
of five years to hold any peace
office of the State, county, or
municipality.
Friends of the measure point
out that it is in line with similar
laws enacted in other Southern
States which have been found
very effective in the reduction
of mob violence. It is said to
be widely supported by religious,
civic and welfare organizations
over the State.
THE PROGRESS AND
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE
NEGRO IN AMERICA.
(The following is an abstract of
an address delivered by the Rev.
E. W. Carpenter to the Christian
Endeavor and congregation of
the First Presbyterian church
(white), Southampton, Long
Island. N. Y., July 26th, 7
P. M.:)
Miss President, ladies and
gentlemen:
I was pleased at a late hour
on yesterday afternoon to ac
cept an invitation extended by
you through your pastor, the
Rev. Geo. W. Rexford, to have
the distinction of speaking to
you. The subject before us is
a great one, and the Negroes of
America greater. I am extreme
ly glad that the hand of Provi
dence has placed me in this
group Miss President: I feel
that the verses you have read,
Psalm 40, 1-5; Prov. 22:29, are
adaptable to the American Ne
gro and that he has lived to see
the truths verified.
To better understand our
subject let our minds go back
for a moment to the year 1865
and see the condition of the
American Negro when the chain
of slavery was broken. He was
let go without the experience of
citizenship, anything to eat,
house or land, church or school.
He was not able to read or
write. From these conditions he
has made himself what he is
today. He is thrifty. He , is
without an equal as a worker on
farms, on raidroads, in mills, in
mines, lumber camps, etc.
The statistics of Negro pro
gress are gratifying to us who
are interested in Negro achieve
ments.
In one decade the number of
Negro farm owners increased
about 17 per cent. In 1910 sta
tistics showed that the Negroes
operated 45,000 business enter
prises. Ten years later they
were operating more than 55,
000. At the same rate we should
concede in this year, 1925, they
are operating at least 60,000
business enterprises.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am
just delighted to call your atten
tion to the following facts: the
Negro has Life Insurance Com
panies, banks, stores, huilding
and loan associations, newspa
pers, hospitals, trained nurses,
physicians, surgeons and law
yers. In fact he is engaged in
all of the leading professions of
the country.
As the Negro makes, moral
progress he respects himself,
hence we find crime is diminish
ing among the better class. The
Negro’s crimes are not more
than others. He gives less
trouble to his country than any
other race in America. Never
as yet has he been accused of
treason. Never has he organ
ized a revolt against the union.
We note, too, that he has better
homes; has developed better
community life; has better
schools and churches; competent
leadership. I would state with
out fear of successful contradic
tion that no race since 1865 has
made the material progress in
the same length of time that the
Negro nas made. Today there
are many Negro high schools
and colleges operated for the up
lift of the Negro, such as Jones
University, Talladega College,
Tuskegee Normal and Industrial
School, Atlanta University,
Shaw university, Livingstone
College, Johnson C. Smith (for
merly Biddle) University, Scotia
Women’s College, etc. Some of
these schools and colleges are
owned and controlled by Ne
groes.
We would mention a few of
our noted men: Granville T.
Wood has sold several of his pa
tents to the electric companies.
Jan Matzeliger sold his patent
to one of the largest manufac
C.S.C.&S.M. NOTES
(From the Office of the Dean.)
A Few Reminders for the
Delegates.
1. Cdme prepared to stay
from Monday, Aug. 24th
through Sunday, August 30th.
2. Bring your Bible.
3. Bring your toilet articles,
such as soap, towels, etc.
4. Bring two sheets and a
pillow case for your bed—each
individual.
5. For recreation bring rub
ber soled shoes, knickers or
bloomers.
6. And above all don’t forget
to bring along a broad smile of
good cneer; for we all are going
to have a grand and glorious
time carrying out every phase
of the Convention Program.
As the time nears, the
stream of registrations is get
ing larger. From the most dis
tant point in the Synod, Carver
Memorial, Newport News, Va.,
there will be four delegates, and
when we tell you it will cost
those delegates about $140.00 to
make the trip to Charlottee and
return you can see the large in
terest Carver Memorial, under
the leadership of Dr. Ward, has
in the Convention and School of
Methods. Wish some of the
nearby churches had half that
interest. If so, our meeting
would be twice as large as it was
last year.
Calvary at Wilson, N. C., an
other distant point, is also liv
ing up to past records. Rev. A.
H. George writes and sends reg
istration for four delegates.
Indications point—te-«r large
ministerial delegation. Among
the ministers registering we are
glad to call attention to two who
have been recently added to the
roll of our Synod: Rev. J. Metz
Rollins, of Lynchburg, Va., and
Rev. G. R. Carter, of Chestnut
Knob, Va.
Dr. McCrorey states that ef
forts will be made this year to
make it more comfortable than
ever before for the delegates.
The women will be cared for in
beautiful Berry Hall, the latest
constructed dormitory, just a
stone’s throw from the dining
hall and a nice stroll from the
administration building.
Berry Hall will hold 90 per
sons. We are starting from the
first floor and going up. If you
don’t want to climb to the third
floor better register at once.
The men will be housed in
Smith Hall.
Would you profit: 1. By bright
ideas on Children’s Work. 2. By
fresh methods for Young Peo
ple. 3. By plans which attract
Adults, xiien let the week of
August 24-30 find you in Char
lotte, N. U., at Johnson C. Smith
University, attending the Ca
tawba Synodical Convention and
School of Methods.
turers of shoe-making machines
in the country. The following
Negroes are noted for their
work: Elmer Imes in magnetic
physics; Ernest E. Just, Charles
H. Turner, George Turner in bi
ology; George W. Carver in in
dustrial chemistry; W. E. B. Du
Bois in history, and Paul Law
rence Dunbar in poetry.
Statistics further show that in
1920 about five out of every
eleven Negroes in the United
States were church members.
They had more than 37,000
church edifices and 3,600 par
sonages estimated to be worth
more than $75,000,000. To a
great extent we may claim an
educated ministry, hence an el
evated people.
All over the country the Ne
gro has Y. M. C. A’s and Y. W.
C. A’s which are an auxiliary to
the rapid progress and achieve
ments of the Negro.