Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-07-14

4 . 81 9H>
NEGRO EXODUS
(First prize Grafton, delivered at com
mencement Of Fisk University,
Nashville, Tenn, by Henry r. Proc
! tor, Jr, of Atlanta, Ga.)
The fact Of the migration Of Negro
es i'll large numbers from the South
TO the North is we'll established.
Whether or not we have the courage
to declare them publicly, the causes
OF this migration, both social and
economic are clearly understood
wish briefly to consider in the time
allotted me not the fact OF this migra
ton, or any Of its causes, but few
of the problems incident to the adjust
ment OF large numbers of southern
Negroes to Northern city life which
must inevitably flow out of this move
ment. These problems relate to the
health, housing and sanitation, civic
department, and religious life of the
migrating colored workmen: and
their solution presents opportunities
or Tar reaching social service to two
distinct classes Of our own people to
prevent In q large measure the awak
ening of the same hostile sentiment
In the North and East that our PEG
pie are seeking to escape by turning
their faces away from the South.
INISf 1k.A. i
first place to Young Negro mon md
women with college fraininp who non
sess broad vision. deem insiphf in;tia
tive and perseverance, to hecoma In
strumental In the organization az
agencies for the solution of ,thasa
problems, and In the second Sa,laca "a
Negroes aiready establiahsd In noth arm
centers who may aid th,a fnr,oa, IN
u, cir lsens sac, " fess,o,,aS,
ysefvfcS and KIM M ed ia of a 3 1frers fo
be avoided. 1} 3 J. 81,
One OF the first problems sure To
confront the Negro IN his newly.
found northern home will be the
task of keeping well. Unused. ma he
Is to the rigors of a northern eli.
, mate, the Negro who is not sufficient
ly Informed and cautious will foll an
easy vistim to many diseases of wbicl,
he knows little in the South.
The Negro who has left the farms
Of the South, and even the small
southern towns, will find in the con
gested residence districts and soual.
i'd tenements OF the North a condition
Of living entirely new to him, accus.
toned as he is to the open air of his
rural home in the south. Proper hons
ing and sanitation will therefore be
come O. real problem to this newly
transported laborer in the North, Al
| ready we hear reports Of conditions
in which thirty and forty Negroes are
living in six-room apartments in the
city of Chicago.
, Released from the caste restrictions
of the South, the Negro in his new
northern home can very oaaily make
himself obnoxious to his new neigh
bors, In taking advantage Of hereto
fore forbidden pleasures anG priyileg
es. and soon finl himself subjected
again to the segregation and discrimi
nation from which he was fleeing in
the South. The manner, therefore, in
which the problem Of civic department
| Is met will determine to large ex-
; Dent the future status of all Negroes
In the North.
Ihefe are two other real dangers to
be raced, namely that of harmful
amusements and OF alienation from
the church and Its Influence. AS soon
as the new arrival in the North Sc.
cures ADEQUATE employment, he will
begin to look about for places in which
| TO spend his money, and 1t is likely
mat the slums and lower forms Of
amusement Will present to him the
! greatest attraction. Thus the problem
or wholesome amusement must also be
recKoned With and q solution found.
louching the influence Of the church
II mas been said that the Negro is
essentially a religious creature, and
IN the South he is bound almost as
closeiy TO the church as he is to the