The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1916-09-30
AUTHOR or FILM
ANSWERS CRITICS
Motive Was Race Defense, Says
Or. W. S. Smith.
PICTURES AS EDUCATORS.

New Jersey Minister Gives Seven Rea
sons In Justification of His Interes,
In Photo Play Known as 1.-THE Col.
ored American Winning His Suit
Kind to His Enemies.
The Rev. W. s. Smith, D. D., pastor
Of the Monumental Baptist church Of
Jersey City, n. j., is one of the most
active ministers in New Jersey In all
good movements for the advancement
Of the race along all lines. He is well
and favorably known throughout the
state and has been pastor of the above
Smith is the author of the photo play
produced by the Douglass Film com
pany, entitled The Colored American
Winning His Suit" The story was
written in answer to THE Birth of
Nation"
As the author Of the play and for his
activity in its promotion Dr. Smith has
been criticised by some of his fellow
ministers, who do not believe that
preacher should write moving picture
stories or engage in their promotion as
Il business. DR.. Smith does not neg
leet any of his duties as pastor of the
Monumental Baptist church for other
vocations. He is naturally Industrious
and uses his spare time in study and
thought for the good of the race; hence
he bears the criticism of his fellow
fgN In,
spirit
Having replied at length to his crit
les previously. Or. Smith again says:
Il shall once more endeavor to clar-
ify the visions of saints and sinners on
the subject have for a good many
years noticed that the motion picture
was being abused rather than used
and have long had a desire to see it
used in the way most helpful to the
public. About eighteen months ago the
picture known as The Birth of a Ma
ton had its first appearance before
the public. That picture does most Sc
verely critieise the Negro and his
friends
ut has stirred up Ill feeling and race
riots in great many cities. Much
time and money have been spent to
break It., but it still plays ON. | con-
ceived the idea that holding mass
meetings, making big. loud and long
speeches, rioting and throwing brick
bats and overripe eggs all failed as
answers to the picture My reasons
for the interest / have taken In NOV
ing pictures follows:
"First.--Because consider II to be a
legitimate business that is closely al
lied to ministerial and educational
work and an agency through which
one may go about doing good. | am
only discussing The Colored American
Winning His Suit.
"Second.-Because through it we
can answer The Birth of Nation
and all similar pictures that seek to
criticise and degrade the Negro race
and its friends.
'Third.-Because it is medium
through which one may speak to mil
lions of people and plead the Negroes
cause to the world at large as In no
other way.
"Fourth.-Because it is an instru-
iuthI lliAthSh Whlth We Nab ROt Il ag
the better side of Negro life. showing
his progress from the depths Of pow
erty and ignorance to the heights he
has climbed in fifty years time along
all lines In religion. education. business
and wealth.
"Fifth.-Because pictures speak a
universal language that is understood
and read by ALL
"Sixth.-Because it can enter places
and get a hearing where doors are
closed against ministers and those who
wish TO plead our cause.
"Seventh.-Because it is a God given
agency, the greatest yet known to man.
for the transmission of truth and
knowledge along all educational lines
Through it one may look back through
the ages. 1t brings all OF the world to
the door of the poor. enabling them to
see and know things heretofore hidden
from their view.
'rhese are my reasons for writing
the story and directing the making of
the picture, and 1t is very gratifying to
learn that wherever played the people
have shown high appreciation for 1t.
and 1t is being called for daily through
out the north, south. east and west