Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-04
SADNESS AND DISCOURAGE
MlINT BROUGHT.

These riots have brought sadness
and Encouragement to the hearts OF
-""''-" ~" 'CnT. lov"'. patriotic, l>w
..olding, Sc'f-rcsDccting colored Amer
leans. Protest parades and prayer
meetings are being held throughout
the United States; resolutions of
condcmnationS are being passed by
Negro civic and religious bodies;
petitions are being sent to the prcsi-
dent and Congress begging that some
Immediate steps be taken to prevent
such racial outbreaks in the future.
in fact, our attention has been almost
entirely distracted from the war with
Germany. Our patriotic enthusiasm
has been arrested. We are beginning
To fear Germany less and to fear
white Americans more. And what is
our crime? Why This shameful out.
break OF race persecution? Why This
wholesale Strengthening OF innocent
American citizens?
no CRIME ON OUR PART.
Our crime is nothing more, and
nothing less than an industrial effort
on our part to better our economic
conditions. Invitations have been cX-
tended to us by large manufacturing
establishments and munitlon plants
in the North. We have accepted
these invitations because they offer
better work. shorter hours. and more
money for our work than we can get
anywhere in the South.
These riots blast the bouyant
hopes of Negroes everywhere. The
late DR.. Booker II. Washington taught
us that just in the proportion as we
advance in education and wealth, just
in that proportion would the Negro
win the respect, admiration, and en-
couragcmcnt Of the white man.
have been lifelong disciple Of DR..
Washington, but | am beginning to
believe that his Utopian dream viii
never be realized
RACE PREJUDICE INCREASING.
AS a race we have made marvellous
strides in education and in the ac-
qulrcmcnt, OF property. Notwith-
standing all Of this race prejudice is
increasing day by day.
Personally. l wish to say that | am
completely disgucsted with Americas
hypocrisy and insincerity. She has
entered the war for the avowed pur-
pose OF bringing to pass a "World
Democracy" | fail to see how I can
conscientiTusly volunteer to fight for
a world Democracy" while / am de-
med the fruits and blessings of a
Democracy at home or course.
may be called a "slacker," | may be
regarded unpatri0tic, | may be looked
upon as disloyal. but | must say, un-
less President Wilson, like Col. Theo
dore Roosevelt speaks out brayclv
against the unspeakablc atrocities
perpctrated upon my despised and i'll.
treated race; unless the Department
OF Justice bring the guilty parties at
East st. Louis to "strict account.
ability for their unparalleled brutal.
itles; unless | am assured that the
glorious flag which I love so dearly
VIII oiler protection, in the future. TO
!weivc million peacc-loving colorcd
inhabitants Of this country; unless I
am convinced that this "World De-
mo;racy' includes black men as we'll
as Whltc mcn | snail consider mvscls
dlSFrace t. nv race and COUNTRY NV
freely volunteering to fight for q
democracy across the seas, because.
l ilrmly believe and maintain that
democracy, like charity, should be-
gin at rome and spread abroad
UIIIAH MINER,
Former editor, Howard University
Journal"
Howard University, Washington,
-. Gully 28, 1917.