New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-16
The ROard Of Health and the
COlOred Churches.

To the Editor Of he Nep National Era:
1t is hardly fair to complain that "ever,
day brings something new," not to put to-
fine point upon it, when these new thing
come home to us, we like sometimes to hav
at least few of them to our liking.
The Board of Health within the last weel
in view Of the authority vested in that body
saw the great necessity of sending to tn,
pastor Of each "colored church" the follow
ing, with the request that the same be rea,
to the congregations
CHAP. LxvIn.-An Act in Relation to Re
tsQrts of ~RirtLs With .hb"~ nsfrie' n
Columbia.
Be II enacted by the Legislative Assembly of
the District Of Columbia, That it shall be the
duty of every physician, accoucheur, or mid
wife, who shall attend at the birth of an in
FAINT in the District of Columbia, to forward
report to the Board of Health of said District
within six days after such birth, stating dis
tinctly the date Of birth, the sex and color of
the child thus born, its physical condition,
whether still-born or not, and the name and
nativity of the parents of such child (; and any
such physician, accoucheur, or midwife, who
shall fail to report as herein required, shall
be punished by a fine of not less than five nor
more than ten dollars for each and every such
offence.
SEC. 2. And be 1t further enacted, That all
fines imposed under the provisions of this act
shall be for the use of the District of Co
lumbia.
Approved August 18, 1911
Compliance with the requirements
of the above will be strictly enforced by the
Board of Health.
While it is very essential that births and
deaths should be recorded, and that such
record be kept open for every day inspection,
we cannot see what the pastors of our
churches have to do with it, or why they
should be made the channels of communion
ton, and why the law should be read in the
churches. Now when law is made, as to
how that law is to be executed is also made
plain. From reading this particular law it
seems to be the duty of the physician, ac-
coucheur, or midwife to report the births.
The law says nothing about pastors and Con-
gregations, and if it had, in view of the inn
portant changes which have come to pass,
the Legislators would have been very careful
and not drawn line between black and
white pastors and congregations, but would
have included all without regard to color or
previous condition.
What we want most to be satisfied about
is, the reason colored ministers are notified
and not white. Why does it become so es-
sential that black congregations be informed
in the dark?
A good many people just now are very
much exercised about mixing things, at least
in our schools; and how one man in that
Board could have stood by and suffered the
Board to stab his darling hobby in discrimi-
mating between colors 0lthout putting in a
word in opposition, we can't well eompre-
bend. But we are one of the unfortunate
ones whom the professor says, "don't un-
derstand the English language" and so our
ignorance will plead our excuse.
The law very distinctly explains itself, and
says that the physician, accoucheur, or mid
wife shall report the births. 1t does not say
single word about pastors or colored con-
gregations. We will be very much obliged to
the Board if it will abate every nuisance
within the Territory, as for instance, the es-
Enlistment on 9TH street opposite the hospi.
tai, and just within the Professors bailiwick.
But the Board, as powerful as it may be,
must be very careful how it trenches upon
the people when the very law under which il
acts will not bear out the Board in this step,
which to say the least is direct insult to oul
pastors and congregations.
Away back in the days of slavery when we
were obliged to submit to wrong, and cruel.
ties, when the laws were the engines Of pun
ishment, we knew we were human, and hat
rights like our tormentors, and we were 6
unit in the assertion of those rights when thu
time came, the time has come, and here WI
are not unwilling to fight any one who stands
in opposition to our progress, be- he black o
white.
This board of health, although not owing
its existence to the popular vote, must bea
in mind that it is not beyond the reach of thu
people. Ere this the people have mad'
thrones, and toppled them. IT'S easy t.
unmake especially when we are dissatisfied
What sanitary difference (if the expression
is allowable) is there between black and whit
children being born, that when black on
comes into the world some other way thai
that prescribed by law, is to be institute
that the birth may reach the board?
Has nature an American way to deal wit
black woman at the birth of her offspring
Don't we in common with white people EN-
ploy the same physicians, and midwifes
Don't we administer the same medicines
Don't we either succeed or fail like othe
people?
What then does the board want when
Aaunts this law in our faces, and is at tn
same time very careful not to include whit
pastor or congregation? These gentleme
must understand that there is no line of di
ference drawn in the law, what touches on
includes all, and this is the explanation.
We are tired with the dirty meanness whic
is continually insulting us without cause
simply because We are black. We could nc
expect less if it came from Democrats, bu
when from professed Republicans, we are a
most forced to say, "God save us from on
frianda ~