The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-10-09
Noted Chicago Pastor Con-
demns Religious Caste.
A STANDARD OF INJUSTICE.
Rev. Carey strongly Protests against
/ Race Discrimination in Religious
Institutions. Noted Pastor writes
an Open Letter to Secretary of
l. Young Mems Christian Assn.
Chicago, ILL.,, October 6, 1914.
Mr.. Charles Sumner Smith, \
Editor Twin Sity Star. '--.s


Minneapolis, MINI. e
My Dear Sir: I am pleased to
learn that you are opposed to the
movement to start separate Y M.
c. A. for colored people in Mime
apolis and l trust that you will con-
.tinue to stand against it.
You have good colored churches in
your city and it seems to me that each
church could do some social settle
ment work and look after the young
folks and that would be better than
the dangerous experiment of starting
segregation which may end disastrous.
ly in the end. ~
The Federal Government has START
ed segregation among the govern
ment employees at Washington and
many Southern cities are establishing
ghettos, so it is we'll to look askance
at every suggestion of segregation,
even if it comes in the guise of
spiritual uplift"
L enclose copy of a letter I re-
Gently addressed to Mr. L. Wilbur
Messer, Secretary of the Central Y.
M. c. A. of Chicago asking for truth
and light in relation to the treatment
of the segregated members of the or
ganization. You are at liberty to
print the letter or to use any of the
arguments advanced as your own in
fighting segregation in Minneapolis.
know that God will bless you for
the work you are doing against seq
regation.
Sincerely yours,
A. J. Carey.
OPEN LETTER TO THE SECRETARY
.' cHicAao. W. o. A.
Mr. L. Wilbur Messer,
Secretary, Central. y. M. c. A..
Chicago, Illinois,
My dear Sir:
have been greatly interested in the
on smoking and my interest was intensi-
fled, when I read in your signed explana-
tion Of the new rule which was pub
ant that N the &c Chicago the state
the Young Mems Christian Association
lis good moral character" It Is suf-
prising statement in view Of what have
heard concerning the Y. M. G.. A.
impeacheable character that they have
been refused membership in the Y. M. C.
A. simply on account Of color.
I also know Of the establishment in
various parts of the country, including
our own city. Of Chicago, Of branch Y. M.
the men of darker hue and separating
them from their fellow human beings as
If they were lepers and unfit to mingle
with Caucausians, Indians, Mongolians
and Malays, who are. gladly received into
the Central Y. M. c. A. and it's many
branches. = ~ .. ~
% have also heard that any human be-
ing who is the member Of any branch Y.
NJ, G. A. has certain rights and Is cor
daily received at the Central organiza-
ton, unless he happens to have more or
less Negro blood in his veins.
If I have been misinformed regarding
conditions I desire to be set right and l
also trust you. will kindly answer the
questions shall ask:
II German, I mean an alien, who has
not been naturalized, desired to become
a member Of the Central Y. NJ c. A.
would he be permitted to do SO, or would
he be compelled to connect himself with
the German branch. regardless Of his
wishes in the matter?
Would Polish railroad man, employed
by the Grand Trunk railroad. who lived
on the North side, be compelled to pass
by the North Side branch. the Central
and go to Eladen to become a member of
the Grand Trunk branch association. or
could he, use his own Judgment In the
matter. - + ~.
II a colored man living In the down.
town district desired to become a mem
ber of the Central Y. M. G. A. could he
do so, or would the authorities compel
him to waste an hour to go four miles
to the colored branch on Wabash avenue
and 38th street?
Are the rights Of the colored men who
are members Of the colored branch Y. M:
c. A. Identical with those of members Of
other branches? Are they as cordially
received at the Central Building on La
Sale street, and treated with the same
consideration as other nationalities?
Are there branches of the Central Y.
M. CA. organized for Indian, Mongolian
and Malay races?
Are not branches organized for the var
ious European nationalities chiefly on ac-
count Of difference in languages II so
why was 1t necessary to provide sep
arate building for colored men OF whom
80 percent are American born and who
speak the English language?
Was not the colored mems branch
really organized to cater to an unjust,
un- American and un-C Christian prejudice
against a class Of people on account OF
MA Has the Central Y. M. G. A. catered
to a similar prejudice In the case OF
other nationalities and organized sep
arate Y. M. c. AS on account OF pre-
judice? -..r.
Admitting that many colored men really
believe that the separate organization on
wabash avenue is a power for good, tnat
Ii il better to have such q prancn tnan