The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-02
AN OPEN LETTER
To THE PUBLIC

Editor Richmond virginian:
Sir.--I noticed from an afternoon
paper Yesterday and from a morning
paper today that certain eminent per-
sons of color called upon Mayor
George Ainsiie and presented him
with a petition in favor of park for
negroes" In this same news item
II Is stated that these gentlemen de
clared that Rev. W. Fl. Stokes had
misinterpreted the sentiment of his
race on the subject and endorsed the
proposition unequivocally." Since l
have been drawn into this discussion.
Mr.. Editor, permit me to state our
side of the controversy.
In my communication to his honor
Mayor George Ainslie I took the po-
sition that the better class of negroes
did not find the time to use the parks
which are already established. Now
by the better class of negroes ] mean
those negroes who are living good. up
right. moral lives, supporting their
own families as best they can, and
who are honestly striving for the
highest and best ideal. Thus you see
do not mean only the professional
and business negroes. but IN addition
TO these those who are in all walks
of honest endeavors--in short, pro-
ducers and not consumers.
All the published communications l
have read in favor of the park seem
to breathe the idea that the negroes
are occupying too much time in GER
tain parks OF the city and that they
should have a par In order to keep
them out of the present parks.
also took the position in my letter
to the mayor that We need better po-
lice protection in our section and
would prefer this to park exclusive
ly for colored people: for this sec
ton is practically unpoliced at the
present time and to place a public
park for negroes would require added
policemen and at the present better
police protection would be OF far
more value to us than park TO be
used exclusively by coiored people
also stated that we would rather
have one or two Fairgrounds for ne
groes under proper supervision so as
to take the negro children OFF the
streets. l asked that II II were not
possible for the establishing Of parks
10 be used Exclusively for colored
people" to the already street fund and
give us better streets. In our section
many of the streets are in bad con-
dition. sidewalks unpaved. cutters un-
paved and in some places the cutters
are becoming guilies. roadbed in need
nuisance which Is a menace to good
health. We would rather have a
tuberculosis camp for colored peo-
Pile than a public park for the ex-
elusive use of colored people. also
asked that a public workho he es-
tablished for the shiftless am still
of the opinion that the establishing or
public park in the negro section
to be used Exclusively by the ne
g
and criminal classes and would hinder
the race In it's best endeavors to rise.
Mr.. Editor, | did not know until read
the recent publications that any per-
sons among us desired segregation for
the negroes in the public parks of this
community. The fight against sep
aration In the street cars is still fresh
in our mind when some OF the people
adopted the walking system" rather
than ride in the street cars. then the
recent fight against segregation In
both Clay and Leigh streets are fresh
in our minds when some of these gen
tlemen opposed it and yet noticed
from the News Leader that park for
negroes eeSclusively' is desd BY
In the Timcs.Dispatch OF today It
reported that these gentlemen. some
OF whom stood against segregation,
now seem to have changed and now
desire a park for the exclusive use OF
colorea people.
l. noticed from a news Item that
an option has been already secured
on a site in the East End and that
two, sites in the West End are being
considered. j wonder II the council
has secured this option. or the city, or
some real estate Arm, in advance OF
the action of the council
In addition to the above PROPOSE
tons. we would rather have a public
bath house In our section. which would
lessen the death rate Of our people
and to my mind be of far more benefit
for the health of our people than q
public park for the exclusive use OF
colored people.
In references to the idsa OF oetter
police protection and the mere state
ment that the park established among
the negroes for their exclusive use