The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-10-17
CIaSsicSim of Washington
Doctrine Applied TO Local Conditions
BY CHARLES A. SHARKS.

Mr.. Webster defines the word
classic" as meaning the best; pure;
of the first class or rank. And out of
this we get the usual sufixed Classic.
ism which is generally applied to well
established patent thought or a par.
ticular quality. The word is often
misused by our people, for instance
they term an ordinary sentimental
song classical" when it really calls
for deep thought, science, philosophy
and the usage of time to impart the
classic nature to anything. This is
why the Greeks are held in such high
esteem because not even time has
been able to change or alter some of
the wise sayings of their day.
Then it will also take time to fully
prove the classicism of Booker T.
Washington's peculiar message to the
world. Notwithstanding that he is
reasonably appreciated by his con-
temporaries-his detractors as we'll as
his admirers, that he has many of both
is sufficient apology for the birth of
this article, as the papers are usually
full of his praise and detraction.
The latest classic hit the untram-
meled exemplar has delivered, took
place in Muskogee, Okla, during the
session of the National Negro Business
League.
In his speech he used this simple
axiom: Beauty the places you al
ready have. This, however, has been
the signal for those powerful
to let loose their fiery contents upon
the author of these words, and at
tempt humiliation of one whom they
have sworn must fall as the Romans
said of Carthage. Beautify the places
you already have-is an injunction the
Negro needs every hour, and is espe-
cailly true in Kansas City when you
look around and see the thousand lit
tie improvements many could make
in their homes and in their places of
business, which, if made, would Ger
tainly beautify them a hundredfold.
1t is a duty imposed upon man to
improve that which shelters and pro-.
tects him. II matters not how hum
BILE this may be if the spirit of i'm
provement is carried out, the place re-
ceives the hallowed blessing which
follows good. If we do not take prop
er care of a simple cottage or fat, we
! certainly will not take care of a man
sion. 1t is the same old story. Being
faithful in a few things. Any person
or family living in a great cultured
city, who shall not sweep the sidewalk
and approaches, and keep their win
dows clean (this is always the first
step do not deserve the Best in hous-
ing conditions, for it is plain that they
would not appreciate the Finest if
they had it. This goes for White and
Black.
Beautify the places you already
have. Ye hat own homes. Repair
that broken fence; paint that house;
plant and cultivate that flower bed;
impart an appearance of general order
and neatness everywhere; take an in
terest in street improvements, and be
a disciple of civic righteousness in the
community in which you live. Re-
member the only proper way to fight
evil is with Good Works. If we have
been segregated, remember that seq
regation destroys itself and that those
who advocate it often give great ad-
vantages (unconsciously) to those
segregated. For instance, there is
more social unity among Negroes in
Kansas City today than ever. We have
a business district of our own which
is playing a large part in our economic
life-something we could not boast OF
ten years ago, and an all-Negro resi-
Dental section which is far from be-
ing bad. This consolidation means
more than the superficial observer
generally understands. 1t means il
the Negroes live together, beautify
their homes, and solidify their aims.
that thew are going to gain a power tc
not only stop the en~croachment of the
Whites, hut spread the wings OF
Ethiopia even unto the enemy's camp
If in union there is strength, then, in
a community of people where there is
a reasonable Oneness of spirit, there
is nothing that can hamper that peo
pie in improving their conditions.
llClO olO lluhs many uNbAAdbiN
homes which Colored people own and
live in, in Kansas City, and general
housing conditions are fairly good
Then by way of preservation and i'm
proyement there is classicism in what
DR.. Washington says: Beautify the
places we already have. This will ado
value, charm, grace and everything
that really makes our abode a goot
place in which to live. By the way
If the heads of some of our public in
situations could only catch a little O
this fire for beauty, then they would
see that their j~anitors would not sleeI
half the time and pitch horseshoes the
other half, instead of keeping the
buildings clean, spick and span. Out
side banisters repaired and painted
the lawn well kept, window shades
rolled even, floors scrubbed and a gen
eral clean-cut appearance. Who eve
is guilty of this Neglect, Him hav,
l offended"