3
VOL. LIIL
CHARLOTTE, N. G, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, lf32
NO. 33.
THE OLYMPICS AND RACE RELATIONS
By James Egert Allen,
President New York Branch N. A. A. C. P.
(An Address delivered over Station WEVD, New York, Au
gust 6, 1932.)
At the present moment, some
two thousand athletes, repre
senting thirty-eight countries
of tl|f world, are gathered on
the Western coast of these
United States to engage in a
contest of physical skill and
endurance widely known as the
Olympics. Men and women of
varied racial groups, diverging
religious beliefs, various politi
cal affiliations, sundry econom
ic backgrounds and widely sep
arated social status, have
grouped themselves into a ver
itable community whose chief
ideal is based upon the Olympic
oath of “true sportsmanship
for the glory of our country
and for the glory of sport.”
The President of the United
States expresses his regret for
non-attendance through ithe
Second hje^d of the nation,
Vice-President Curtis, who, of
ficially, opened the great exhi
bition.
To ancient Greece, we are
indebted for the origin of these
games. Twenty-seven centuries
ago, at the foot of Mt. Olympus,
the famous abode of the mighty
Zeus, the aesthetic sons of At
tica gathered in the great am
phi-theatre before the eager
and expectant spectators and
launched the initial battle of
physical skill and endurance.
In spite of the dazzling splen
dor, the keen rivalry and the
international spirit that accom
pany these periodic festivals or
modern times, a question , of se
arises,
nati&is pi-; the
ave translated iptnact
l"f»fraetkte'f&e"loffrf ideSHSm
that the 'Greeks strove to at
tain: If we are to judge by the
suffering of millions of under
privileged human beings,
world-wide unemployment, and
wide-spread discontentment and
wholesale injustice, the reply
must be tainted with grave sus
picions of doubt. If we are to
judge by general economic ex
ploitation, recurrent and disas
trous wars, national rivalry
and universal imperialism, the
answer must be predicated
upon negative bases.
Here in our own clime where
over twelve millions of people
representing the Negro race
are found, we find inconsisten
cy to be a shining jewel. To
day’s printed page radiates
'yflfli! ’the Spectacular achieve
ments of one lithe and two fleet
limbed sons of Ham, who
blazed their way to fame and
lifted the colors of Uncle Sam
♦o the peak of track and vault
accomplishments and enveloped
them in a blaze of world-brok
en records. Such is their con
tribution to a true evaluation
of President Hoover’s message
to the Olympic contestants
when he declared that these
games naa Become a ^
force lor international acquain
tance, understanding and good
will.” Yet if these three
black American youths were to
appiv at a Vr all Street banking
firm for an opportuivty to learn
the arts of high finance, or
were they to apply to the labo
ratory of some, great American
engineering firm for a chance
to engage in some form of re
search, they would be offered,
perhaps, a porter’s job, despite
the fact that two are alumni of
leading} mjdiwestem universi
ties and the other a brilliant
upper class man in a similar
institution.
For the glory of Uncle Sam,
they gave their best. For the
glory of their native land, they
ran and jumped with athletes
from the remote recesses of the
Southland, a section where they
would be denied the rights of
citizenship; where they would
be segregated into Jim-Crow
cars; where they would be de
nied access to public libraries
and even to public parks and
playgrounds for the purpose of
training their _agile bodies to
gain laurels for their native
heath.
To offset such glaring incon
sistencies, especially directed
towards the Negro in this coun
try, the National Association
for the Advancement of Col
ored People was organized some
twenty odd years ago. Its aims
and ideals are identical in many
respects with the aims and
ideals of the Olympics. It calls
upon the civilized world for a
genuine expression of and atti
tude towards the true spirit of
‘sportsmanship. Whether in the
realm of religion, or literature,
politics, economics or athletics,
it demands that nations and
people be consistent, impartial
and fraternal. It seeks the ac
tive co-operation of all fair
minded citizens, regardless of
race or creed, to aid in the gi
gantic task of ameliorating the
condition of the darker races
of the world. The iron heel of
oppression and the yoke of de
spair must be removed if na
tions hope to dwell in Utopian
amity.
Within the confines of our land
many organizations have sprung
into being with the main ob
jective-better race relations—
as their ultimate goal. But,
alas! many of them, likewise,
have wrought their founda
tions upon a sandy surface.
They are unwilling to face, fear
lessly, the vital issues whose
complete grasp only will result
in genuine racial relationship.
worse still, of compromise, per
meates the basic pillars of their
structure and is slowly, but
surely, destroying the gilded
temple of their aspirations.
Bigotry and prejudice, like a
slow-eating cancer, are gnaw
ing at their vitals and sapping
the very life-blood of their
main objective.
The National Association for
the Advancement of Colored
People wifi not compromise
with the* injustices practiced
upon helpless black citizens, in
its policy of complete racial
self-respect, it will not equivo
cate.
Today we are celebrating the
two hundredth anniversary of
the birth of our patron saint,
George Washington, the match
less leader of the American
Revolution, who wrested liber
tv and justice from the hands
of our oppressors and set sail
to a ship of state that was
guided by the immortal words
of Thomas Paine and Thomas
Jefferson—“All men are creat
ed free and equal.” Three thous
and black men, although slaves,
aided Washington in establish
ing this Principle on American
shores. Many thousands more
flew to the rescue of Abraham
Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson
to perpetuate these ideals of
democracy. They, with myriaos
of other darker races, must, ul
timately, come into the fullest
rvossession of these cherished
rights accorded to other sons
of men. Even with their backs
to the wall erected by preju
diced and conniving individ
uals, Black America shall hold
r,n until the full rays of the
sunlight of true liberty, equal
opportunity and international
brotherhood shine in splen
drous luster upon their un
bowed heads and usher all
people into the millenium that
must, inevitably, crown human
achievement and noble ideal
ism.
Humanity, devoted to the
principles of a square deal for
all, must throw off the old
laissez-faire dfotrine of indif
ference and assume the role of
ardent participation in the
world conferences and group
gatherings of the future. As
ambassadors of racial toler-t
ance, they must become ab-1
sorbed in the perplexing prob-J
lem of race relationship. Asf
the two thousand athletes sep-|
arate within the next few|
weeks for their widely scattered;
homes, a new altruism, born of :
the spirit of comradeship,
should accompany them. Their
enthusiasm and sentimental!-*
ties should spread like wild-f
over the hearts of their natri
lands, consuming the bigot
prejudice and crdss mate
sm, so prevalent in nations to-*
day.
The Olympics of 1932 she
point the way for improved
cial relationship during
next four years. Out of the f%
rious storm of world-wide d£
pression should arise the calm
atmosphere of peace, justice aiid
racial appreciation and self-rfe
speet. This carnival shall not
have been held in vain, if the
universal Zeus, from
mighty mountain top, can
out upon the broad expansej
the universe and declare,
a spirit of sincerity and re
ty. in the Olympian year'
1936, “We live in an age of
nearest approach to the univer
sal equality of mankind.” tr
YADKIN CENTRAL DIS
TRICT CONVENTION
The Central District Si
School Convention was held at
Grace Presbyterian church at
Winston-Salem, N. C., August
4-5, 1932.
For two months the medal
ship of Grace church had
looking with pleasant expecta
tion to the coming of groups of
men and women, boys and girls
from neighboring towns and
cities and purchasing
sities for their homes 'apd
ehinwh n.frifr
not cause them to lay aside
home duties and jabs to put in
readiness God’s Tabernacle. We
had a fine group to gather at
the church last Tuesday who
saved many a dollar that had
heretofore been paid out for
painting, electric fixtures, etc.
We have learned that a little
will power on our part puts
the program over in a bigger
and better way than “Mr. Dol
lar” alone has ever done.
Thursday morning at 10:00
o’clock our President was at
his post of duty. The Conven
tion opened with singing by the
audience. Prayer was offered
by Rev. W. J. Rankin, of Gra
ham, The roll was called, and
Hie delegates responded.
After the roll call the differ
ent committees were appoint
ed. It was suggested that the
Corresponding Secretary make
out a list of committees placing
a competent person as a chair
man of each committee. A mo
tion was made and carried that
Dr. Miller and the Correspond
ing Secret*.y make out a dsr
and report ■: the Convention
later during the session.
The election of officers was
follows: President, Mr. J. H.
Turner; V$ce-President> Mrs*
W. J. Rankin; Recording Sec
retary, Mrs. G. A. Bridges;
Assistant Recording Secretary,
Miss Louise Dixon; Cor. Secre
tary, Mrs. A. E. Fortune; and
Treasurer, Mr. C. W. Robin
son.
Three new Sunday schools
were received into the Conven
tion and recorded. They are:
Community Grove, Grace Mis
sion and Hannah.
All committees made their
reports. Dr. I. H. Russell asked
God's benediction upon the Con
vention as they adjourned, go
ing to their several homes.
The Convention opened at 2
o'clock. Mr. G. R. Marsh* Sun
dav School Missionary, gave a
helpful address, presenting to
the Convention material on the
Cradle Rolf and Home Depart -
ments. After a general discus
sion there were demonstrations
in lesson presentation: 1, Peri
(Continued on page 4)
BOOK CHAT
By Mary White Ovington
Treasurer of the N. A. A. C. P.
i -
* “Portrait of an Independent;
MoorfieJd Storey"—By Mark
I>Wolf Howe, Published by
Houghton Mifflin Co., 2 Park
St.. Boston, Mass. Price $3.60.
At length we have a biogra
phy of the man whom Judge
James M. Morton, Jr., said: “I
doubt if in the whole history of
the colored race in this county
any man except Abraham Lin
coln ever did more effective
work for it." It is a biography
ai! must enjoy for it is told in
Storey’s own words, in his let
d*ar3r- We see him, the
pcrfpufcr, young Harvard man,
^e^?0s^0n^an *n Washington
as Charles Sumner’s secretary,
the Boston lawyer whose wis
dom and acumen became in
creasingly recognized, the pub
ic-spirited citizen. One gets a
clear idea of the many matters
in which he took a-profound in
terest.
The most interesting part
of the book is from November,
J867, to May, '69, when he was
Sumner’s secretary. His life in
Washington was all that a bril
liant young man of good fami
ly might desire. He sat at the
end of Sumner’s table and met
famous statesmen and men of
letters. An evening with Dick
ens is vividly described. He
liked society, was a good danc
er, met many attractive young
girls and chose one of them, a
Washingtonian, for his wife.
He did legal research for Sum
ner and decided that law would
be his career. His account of
the impeachment of President
Johnson is excellent reading.
Storey saw, what we are con
stantly taught today to forget,
the attempt o»~the part of the
Southern States when the war
was over, to re-enslave the
black man. His sympathies were
with Sumner and Thaddeus
Stevens but he regretted at
times the flippant conduct of
the impeachment. He was dis
gusted and disappointed at the
way the opponents of Johnson
handled thejir case. Frofrn his
youth on Storey believed in the
dignity of the law.
The book describes his anti
imperialism, leading to an un
tiring effort to secure Philip
pine independence. It tells of
his increasing success in law, of
his election to the Presidency of
the American Bar Association.
His devotion to the cause rath
er than the party was the key
note of his career. And his bi
ographer believes that his per
formance as President of the
N. A. A. C. P. from 1910 on
ward “may be counted his most
constructive piece of work in
the field of public service.”
We of the National Associa
tion who worked with him, re
alize how untiring that work
was. He won three great cases
before the Supreme Court, the
Grandfather Clause case, the
Segregation case and the case
of the Arkansas peons. For
this important work he
charged nothing. The Associa
tion’s debt to him could never
be paid. But it is good to real
ize as one reads the biography
that Moorfield Storey knew of
the affection and respect given
to him by colored people all
over the country, people who
had never seen him but who
venerated him for his inestima
ble ^york in behalf of justice to
their race. At his eightieth
birthday letters of congratula
tion and gratitude poured in
upon him.
Perhaps m biographer
makes him somewhat cold. But
he was not cold to those who
understood him. The Boston
people especially knew of the
dame of his heart. I would add
an incident that I saw. When
the hearing on the Birth of the
Nation was over, and the
Mayor of Boston had professed
himself as unable to stop the
performance. Griffith, the pro
ducer of this pernicious mov
ing picture, in acharmnig man
ner, came up to Mr. Storey
and, offering his hand, said he
was glad to meet him. Storey’s
hand remained at his side. *1
do not see why I should shake
hands with you, Mr. Griffith,”
he said. Griffith turned away,
amazed and chagrined. I shall
never forget the look in Mrs.
Butler R. Wilson’s eyes, eyes
wet with quick tears. “It was
wonderful of you, Mr. Storey,”
she gasped. No wonder her
husband said to me as we sat
together at Moorfield Storey's
funeral, “I used to walk along
the embankment behind Mr.
Storey and seeing his step grow
less steady, think that we could
not let him go. He was like no
other friend.” Boston has lost
her great Independent.
We of the Association should
remember his words written to
the Branches who congratulat
ed him oil his birthday: “We
have only to stand fast,” he
said, “only to persevere on as
serting our rights, and we can
not be beaten. Take no back
ward step, urge our fellow cit
izens to join our organization,
*o fight with us and not to
stand by mere lookers-on. That
is a position of which every
colored man should be ashamed.
His help is needed and the larg
er our force the sooner will
come our sure success.”
He died before he saw that
sure success, but his faith re
mains.
ACTIVITIES AT HAKK1SUJN
AGRICULTURAL INSTI
TUTE, IRMO, S. C.
The faculty and students of
Harbison—The School of Op
portunity for Boys—are begin
ning to turn their feet into the
paths that lead to the opening
doors of the institution. Many
of the members of the faculty
have added to their store of
knowledge and increased their
skill in the technique of teach
ing by taking courses in sum
mer schools of note during
their vacation. Our former
students, scattered in all direc
tions, are doing their best to
secure means to meet their ob
ligations during the approach
ing session. New students in
large numbers are applying
and are seeking the rare advan
tages which the institution of
fers. The campus is ideal for
quiet, study, health, recreation
and training in Christian citi
zenship.
The President has not been
loud in his activities antLprep
aratipnsi for the comfort and
welfare of both facy^ly and
students. What he Las lacked
in noise he has made up in de
termined efforts and progress.
\ new cottage for teachers and
a new barn for housing farm
implements have been built,
and several repairs have been
made and hogs and chickens
are in evidence.
The Dean, at the suggestion
and with the sanction of the ad
ministrjation, is stressing the
industrial features of the cur
riculum this year as never be
fore. A survey of the student
body and of the fields from
which they come has suggested
■and 'rdvelaled many important
facts. In the light of these facts
we have been able to evaluate
curriculum in terms of the act
our courses and modify our
ual needs and aims of the stu
dents. We feel a great respon
sibility for, and are interesting
ourselves in, the problems
which concern the abilities, the
life needs and occupation in the
various localities of our stu
dents.
The much talked of trades m
the institution will have their
beginning this year, and will
be added with increasing em
phasis and in such proportions
in the coining years as our
means, fitness an dthe approval
of our Board will allow. For the
present we planto offer courses
in practical carpentering, brick
masonry, blackpmithjtag, agri
culture and shoe repairing. In
the very near future we hope
to send out from this institu
tion trained leaders and demon
strators for the above named
vocations. We want it clearly
understood, however, that ill
adding these new courses we
do not minimize the importance
of our fitting men and boys for
higher education. The institu
tion is already well known for
its work along this line.
Our courses in Christian Ed
ucation have also been given a
larger place in the program of
the school. More time has been
given these courses to the end
that there may go out from
this school leaders who may
be depended upon to go for
ward in all the Christian activ
ities of the Church as well as in
Christian citizenship in gen
eral.
School opens Tuesday, Sep
tember 18th.
FAIRFIELD CONVENTION
AND SCHOOL OF METHODS
The Presbyterial Sunday
School Convention and Junior
School of Methods of Fairfield
Presbytery met at Coulter Me
morial Academy, Cheraw, S.
C., August 3-6, 1932.
This was one of the most in
teresting meetings and most
unique programs in the history
of the church. The first secret
of the success of the meeting
was the well planned program
for which the program commit
tee deserves much commenda
tion. Second, the very efficient
instructors—those who did not
only know their subject mat
ter but had the art of clearly
imparting it to their listeners.
Thirdly, punctuality was
stamped in the mind of every
individual throughout every
phase of the Convention.
Fourth, the spirit of co-opera
tion seemed to have been a
static thing with every one con
cerned, thus causing even more
interest to be manifested; and
last, but not least, the very
warm reception that was giv
en by Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Long,
the host and hostess of the
Convention, which would tend
to make every one feel himself
welcomed to ejvery portion of
the campus. The tone of the
bell, the wide open doors, the
beautiful green on the yards
that nature has so wonderfully
provided, all seemed to have
suftg a song of welcome; there
fore, we feel it is our duty to
pause here for the purpose of
thanking Dr and Mrs. Long
for their interest in us and
the generous hospitality
shown us throughout these
meetings. We feel ourselves un
able to say enough about them
and their splendid co-workers
from the kitchen to the beds,
-those palatable and well
planned meals, the comfortable
beds and well ventilated rooms,
including the administration
building and church.
After the registration and as
signment of rooms we were
served with a bountiful dinner
that was enjoyed by all.
At 8 o’clock A. M. Dr. M.
J. Jackson, President of the
Convention, delivered a very
practical and hdlpfulj address,
based on “Man’s Debts to His
Fellowman.” A daily program
was followed: Rising bell at
6:30 o’clock; breakfast, 7:30
A. M., followed by a short de
votional service, conducted by
the various ministers. Then
came the Bible hour from 9 un
til 9:45. This study was under
the direction of Dr. J. W. Ma
noney and Dr. W. J. Nelson.
Both of these courses were very
helpful.
Dean and Mrs. J. I. Jones
<?ave daily instructions in Sun
day School Methods from 9:45
to 10:30. During the same
hour Miss Helen N. Usher had
a group in Young People’s So
cieties. Dr. Geo. W. Long and
Dr. I. P. Pogue led in the dis
( Continued on page 3)