Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-04

power ana money power, In this great
task of making the world safe for
humanity and Democracy,-after all
OF this, the recent race riots and ru-
naors Of riots, and the steady growth
of race prejudice In both North and
South tell Us that we are not to be
included In this world Democracy"
which President Wilson breaches and
for which America Is supposed to be
at war today. .srE -setf Eey
4 SADNESS AND DISCOURAGE IS
MDNT BROUGHT.
These riots have brought sadness
Il md disconr RAJ cement to tho hearts Of
n lss.s ~ Oh lSn,s
s.Hd ding sol fespe ing ;t6iSFed Amer.
y leans. Protest parades and n prayer
meetings are being held throughout
the United States; resolutions OF
: condemnations are being passed by
Negro civic and religious bodies;
petitions are being sent to the Presi-
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 tho 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. s
Our crime Is nothing more, and
nothing less than an industrial effort
on our part to better our economic
conditions. Invitations have been OK
tended to us by large manufacturing
establishments and munition 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. 4
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-
couragement Of the white man. I
have been a lifelong disciple Of DR..
Washington, but I am beginning to
believe that his Utopian dream will
never be realized.
RACE PREJUDICE INCREASING.
AS a race we have made marvellous
strides in education and in the &C.
qufrement, Of property. Notwith-
standing all Of this race prejudice Is
increasing day by day.
( Personally, I wish to say that I am
completely disguested with Americas
hypocrisy and insincerity. She has
entered the war for the avowed pur-
pose of bringing to pass a ''World
Democracy" I fail ito see how I can
conscientiolsly volunteer to fight for
q World Democracy" while I am de-
MED the fruits and blessings of a
Democracy at home, OF course, I
may be called a Stacker" I may be
regarded unpatriotic, may be looked
upon as disloyal, but must say, un.
less President Wilson, like Col. Theo.
dore Roosevelt speaks out bravely
against the unspeakable atrocities
perpetrated upon my despised and i'll.
treated race; unless the Department
or Justice bring the guilty parties at
East st. Louis to a "strict account.
ABILITY for their unparalleled brutal
tues; unless l am assured that the
O. AOu' iaS Whlcl love 80 dearly
VIII offer protection, in the future, to
twelve million peace-loving colored
inhabitants Of this country; unless I
am convinced that this "World De.
mocracy" includes black men as we'll
as white men shall consider myself
a d1ssrace to nv race and country by
freely volunteering to fight for a
democracy across the seas, because,
l hrmly believe and maintain that
~ democracy, like charity, should be-
gin at home and spread abroad
UZZIAH MINER,
FORMER editor, Howard University
Journal
Howard University, Washington,
ID. Gully 28, 1917.