Phoenix tribune., 1918-11-30
PARIS DEMOCRACY
ATTRACTS RACE MEN;
FAIREST ATTITUDE
Spirit of Fair Play Exhibited Toward
Negroes by the French Will Cause
Many to Remain There-No Color
Line Is Drawn-No Evidence of
Race Prejudice Shown.

largest clueS OF the world, an utter
stranger, with only a slight knowl-
edge of the language spoken by its
inhabitants; and as if this were not
the only handicap enough, to be fur
ther burdened with all the natural
,timidity Of a race that has always
been restrained at home from the en-
joyment of those liberties and priv
ileges vouchsafed the people of all
other races.
This was my exact situation upon
my arrival for the first time in Paris.
Not the Paris of gloom and mourn
ing that we know today, but the gay
"Paree" of other days, whose pleas
ure-loving, pleasure-seeking reputation
penetrated to the uttermost parts of
the world. Everything seemed so diff
ferent, SO new, so wonderful. Magnif-
icent buildings. great boulevards in
the very heart of the city lined with
beautiful trees; brillian cafes and res
taurants filled with laughing crowds
within and without where tables were
arranged under an awning, directly on
the sidewalk, separated from passers.
by only by rows of large plants set
in large wooden or metal recetpacles
or by a lattice work of growing vines.
The merry throngs that sat and slipped
wine, absinthe or cafe noir, as If
there never was such thing as work
or care. Then those queer little XII
osks where you could buy the most
beautiful flowers as well as the latest
newspapers from all parts of the
world 1t is impossible to describe
the impressions and sensations that
seize upon one in the face of this
wonderful new world when he views
it for the first time.
had always heard that in Paris
such thing as race discrimination
was unknown, but one can hear so
much; it was therefore with some
hesitation and not little inward tre
pidation that l chose a seat at one
of the tables outside of what l later
learned was one of the most fashion,
able cafes in the city, and deep down
in my heart lay that gnawing, linger-
ing doubt about being served.
Wonder upon wonders. l was ap-
preached as though I were an Indian
nabob. My order taken and executed
with such display of politeness both
of speech and gestures as l had
dreamed existed only in fiction and
fairy tales. The speech. TO course.
was lost upon me; but the gestures
were eloquent enough.
The success of this first venture
inspired me with newborn courage
and l had lost much of my timidity
when l sought to secure hotel accom-
modations. The only question asked
me was what price room l desired.
I chose a moderate priced room and
was shown up to it with the same
display of courtesy and politeness
lA0l Ac0 O11dl dOlCAlLOQ my llCdlllCul
at the cafe. Truly" I thought, "this
is a wonderful place"
/ was fortunate enough to arrive in
the city while the opera season was
on, and strolled up the Avenue de
L'Opera to the famous opera house
concerning which / had read and
heard so much. There also the only
inquiry was what priced seat l de-
sired and how many or whether mon
sieur desired a box! l nearly faint
ed. After witnessing splendid op-
cratic performance, followed by the
famous Partisan ballet, l hailed a taxi
and was driven to the Mont Martei
The whole world goes to the Mont
Marte. By this time l felt as if Paris
was mine. Everywhere l went the
doors opened wide m welcome For
the first time in my life knew what
the feeling is to be aoie to go any
where and do anything you wish and
can afford.
The crucial test of my courage
came, however, when l suddenly real
ized that / was sadly in need of
barber l put on bold face, how
ever, and entered neat-appearing
shop. / was Immediately waited upon
and as l settled down in the chair
said to myself, "If the boys at home
could only see me now"
know that is what the boys over
there at the present time are saying
daily to themselves when they are
enjoying privileges that prejudice
would forbid them enjoying at home;
and many of them are going TO re-