The Afro-American., 1895-09-07
NIJOSBPHINE B. CHANT.
says Wealth VIII Solve The Bal
Problem.
TIE PRESS HAS DONE MODIFY BUT THE
BURDEN RESTS ON THE PEOPLE IN
ABLE 10 SECURE EMPLOYMENT.
FDfT0R FREEMAN:

Given in the article headed. 'tShall we |
employ white or coored teachers in our
colleges. There may be others who |
nerbaps would make the same inquiry.
or has said, 'every one must, OF
course think his own opinions right, tor
If he thought them wrong, they would
no longer be his opinion, but there j.
wide difference between regarding our
selves as infallible, and being firmly
convinced Of the truth Of our creed. 4"
I write nothing that | do not believe to
he true and nv differences are drawn
from observation.
we have men and women Of color
competent for our positions and they
should fill them.
We are not only being refused posi-
tions among the whites. the most recent
case being that Of a young women II
Providence, r. T., refused. notwth-
standing her competency, on account
IF her color. but are being thrown ont
b .oiIg own as was Prof Gregory some
wee59 400. Most Of our race journals
have condemned both actions, that does
very we'll as far as it goes, but 1t goes
very short way. 1t hasn't given either
Of the above mentioned persons employ
ment, and these are only two Of nun
dreds ia similar situation. The press
has. done molly its part but the great
burden rests on the people.
we must create positions for our chill
dren and fill those already created.
with all due respect to the white teach
ers and appreciation for there past work,
they must be remembered. 1t Will not
harm them since every avenue is open
b them and it will be manifold help
to us. They monopolize our best posi-
tons vet open none Of theirs to US AZ
there is black and white applicant
equally efficient the former should be
given the preference in every instance
and white teacher should not be cleo
ted bv us under any circumstances. The
question arises. if the white teachers are
removed would those who have contrl-
bnted hitherto Withdrawn. No, we be-
lieye none but the noble hearted and
trnlv christian have lent Us their AID,
and that they will continue AS long as 1t
is needed, but though we may need the
aid of the christian men and womea we
should not give up our positions as for
feiture. The whites have built most
If our colleges and named them credit
ably but we can never become indepen
dent until We are or own managers
Wealth it Il said. Will solve the race
problem but the day for its solution i
far distant unless we have more conf
dence in ourselves and hoe our own row.
Here in the south we are being driven
| back to the farm and ore mines, driven
from the coal mines and machine shops,
carpenter shops. brick works and can
hardly secure position as janitor, and
this is not only true of the south but OF
the north and west. AS soon az a white
man demands place colored men may
cease to aspire.
Now there is help for this and if
properly carried ont would give en-
nloyment TO hundreds Of teachers at
GOOD salaries. In the State of Alabama
| alone were the white teachers removed
i there would be at least forty vacancies.
lanow if these were filled by our own
4 teachers at salaries averaging $50 per
month there would come into the hands
.of the race two thousand dollars each
month and eighteen thousand dollars
annually, or suppose state to have a
hundred vacancies as would Tennessee
there would come to us at least i've
thousand dollars a month and forty i've
thousand a year. Now let this money
be deposited in negro banks or ex-
changed for goods in our dry goods,
millinery, drug, clothing and grocery
stores, and it would be the means o.
building up every race enterprise.
Aside from money getting, il viii
contribute largely to US morally and SO
cially. Many Of our young men ant
women after graduating, being unable
to secure employment, are forced to be
come menials, walters, boot-backs, bar
bers, cooks. nurses and wash-women
and in numerous cases lose all sense o.
} honor in the struggle to support them
: selves.
In spite Of the opposition and preju.
dice Of our own people in many commu
mites, the colored teachers are doin!
good work they are energetic an
faithful to the work and in touch with
the student. Give them the hearty Co
operation of the people, the good vii
and protection Of the community an
they viii be second to none in the edu
cational work.
! Now we appeal to the leaders to tax
: | some action towards the removal 0
1 white teachers, that we may give en-
2 ployment to our own. lis only jus
and right. If we would rise to Wealt
and eminence we must have controllin
l power and become the directors of GU
own institutions. Let the leaders 9
J each state rally the people and sho'
: them the necessity Of such a step an
! the benefit to be derived from it. Ca
a conference and set to work at once.
!. 1t is very easy matter to arouse in
t terest where white man is seekin
. Office and wants your support, w
sometimes leave our work in our grea
excitement. Now if we could an
9 would become as enthusiastic abor
q something for our good. it would sect
: !, s,..1loc xvowo xuporwhf