The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1916-08-12
NATIONAL RACE
CONGRESS CALLED
PRELIMINARY CALL

/
Rev. Byron Gunner, President,
has issued the following proposal
for national congress:
Hillburn, N. Y, July 20, 1916.
Fellow Comrades aud Fellow Citi-
zens of Color:
NATIONAL RACE CONGRESS
1t has been wisely suggested in
view of existing unfavorable social
civic and political conditions con-
fronting us as people. that the
National Equal Rights League in
vite and urge all of our people, in
all sections of the country, to unite
in a great National Congress of
Colored Americans" and for the
special purpose of voicing the feel
ings and opinions of the race on
those unfavorable conditions now
surrounding us in this country;
and also to decide upon the wisest
and best methods for combating
color segregation and all other
forms of color discrimination.
EXTRAORDINARY WRONGS
SUFFERED
After fifty years of SO called free.
dom in this country, what is the
prevailing condition of our Col
ored American populations Brief
ly stated it is this: Our civil rights
have been rendered almost futile;
we are shamefully curtailed politi-
cally; we are denied equality be-
fore the law; we are not allowed
equal industrial opportunities; our
property and our very lives are
not at all secure: and "the black
horrors of lynching" innocent Col
ored Americans continue unabated.
While our Federal Governments
indifference towards all thsse in
justices is but little less than the
qualification of our great war a.
mendments. Throughout the south.
land, and to more or less extent in
the north, the increasing millions
of our fellow Colored Americans
are being more and more reduced
to the pitiable conditions of politi-
cal serfs and social outcasts.
CAN WE BE UNMovED2
If such conditions do not stir our
souls and our blood, what under
heaven can do it9 Do not the in
dustrial opportunities denied us,
the freedom of speech and of the
press not allowed, the civic and
political rights taken from us, and
the insecurity of property and life
that surrounds us, give sufficient
ground and reason for the calling
of such a National Congress of
Oolored Americans as is herein
suggested9 I'm this fierce era of
controversy and bloodshed," can
we be unmoved2 While the whole
world is wide awake socially and
politically, shall we sleep9 While
all other classes ane races are on
the verge of social and political
revolutions, shall we be Indifferent
Since all other groups of oppressed
people are in the stir and rush of
agitation, is it not high time that
we should at at least begin to get
on the movel
The South is still in the saddle
at our national capitol, rushing
headlong with a most reckless dis
regard for the feelings and rights
of ten millions of loyal, but op
pressed @olored Americans.
FLING Our STANDARD
Therefore, let us get together in
great national congress, and fling
to the whole wide world the full
story of our grievances and of our
earnest demands for justice and
fair play.
GET READY
Let all our religious, education
al, social and political leaders a
mong us heed this call. Let all of
our great religious organizations
and lodges and benevolent socie-
ties begin now to plan to be repre-
sented in this proposed congress.