The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-05

physical particularities, there is a
danger that such particularities be
conceived as symbolic of certain in
ternal characteristics displayed BY
them. These things internally dis
played by the group farther down.
and which are really products of en-
vironment, lack of opportunity, etc.
are dubbed race traits" When the
colored American is said to be lazy.
ignorant, superstitious. etc, it is for
gotten that there are proportionately
nearly as many white people who are
lazy, ignorant, supeEstitious.
Let it be remembered then, that the
problem arising out of the relation
between the white and the colored
American is one in which basic issues
are too often lost sight of. general
principles forgotten, and superficial
and accidental phenomena considered
as fundamental
A group forced to live in the midst
of unpropitious and hostile environ
ment can scarcely be expected to de-
velop intrinsically those things which
are most admirable in the progress of
mankind. A people forced to live
always in the light of past serfdom.
ever treated as inferior, ever saddled
with all the differentia of backward
ness can hardly be looked to to pro-
duce much else than the things with
which they have been loaded. We
will point out later on that, in spite of
their vicious environment, the colored
Americans have produced worthy and
splendid types in all fields of civilized
progress. That they have done so is
little short of miraculous
The relation obtaining between the
white and the colored American is
particularized by certain phenomena
resultant of well defined feeling atti-
tudes assumed by the one toward the
ofh rh q axr7d
of these attitudes, and beget m the
co1ored American certain reciprocal
attitudes, which actua1ize themselves
within his own character and in his
conduct within and without the group
to which he belongs
Feeling Attitudes.
The phenomena resultant of these
feeling attitudes of the white Ameri-
can toward the colored American, may
be grouped under the well known
terms. segregation, disfranchisement.
mob violence. To these may be added
ticularity of this relationship. These
phenomena would have no point as
particular factors of the race question,
were the physical characteristics of
the race laboring under them. lost
sight of. Segregation, disfranchise-
colored American because of the phys
zeal racial characteristics which he in
a greater or less degree possesses.
The other side of this thought must
also be kept in mind; and that is. that
there have been reaction, positive and
negative, to these phenomena, within
the colored American group. OF these
reactions we shall speak further on.
The white American and the color
ed American each has his duties to
perform in the solution of the problem
which both have produced The domi-
nant people are masters of outward
political and general contact environ
ment- They must see to it that their
attitude is actuated by the spirit of
justice and fair play. To use the
words of celebrated foreign states
man: The people of the United
States must learn to practice justice
There is no progress without oppor-
tunity. Opportunity Is the justiffca-
ton of government and law. Given
opportunity, justice. and the liberty
to exercise the rights of citizenship,
any group will work out its salvation
under the care and protection of the
state.
The colored American must become
ever more positively self-critical. He
must search his heart with much
earnestness and intelligence He must
realize that progress Is only for those
who fight ceaselessly for the higher
values Of life and conduct