Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1918-09-07

than all the white move picture producers
combined.
A problem in arithmetic is solved when
one works it out along proper lines and
then finds the correct answer. But in
America the average white person seeks to
solve the so-called race problem by making
the answer whatever he personally thinks
it should be. Hence, instead Of solving the
problem he makes it more complex.
Not until the white American completely
disrobes himself of his over-burdened self
conceit and false notions on the race question
will there be revolutionary change for the
better in this country. AS long as our mo-
ton picture people and many Of the daily
newspapers insist in carrying on prOpa-
ganda Of misrepresentation and educate the
general public to judge twelve million native
Amecirans by the worst and lowest types of
the race Gan unfair test to which no other
race is subjectedD just so long will there
be race problem. For problems are solved
in the same way as medical experts bring
about cures-by a proper diagnosis-by look
ing facts squarely in the face, not by avoid
ing them
"A young white woman, who has appeared
in Broadway productions, went South last
fall with a dramatic organization. So i'm
gress being made by the colored people of
that section despite handcaps and so de-
pressed did she become over the lynchng of
innocent Negroes which occurred near the
towns where she was playing, that she re-
solved to write a motion picture play with
the hope Of bringing about better under
standing between the races.
Coming to New York in the early spring
OF this year she set to work to finish the
scenario. Then she unconsciously started out
to get wonderful educatior-an education
already received by hundreds Of colored peo-
pie. She soon found that fair play and
right meant nothing to motion picture pro-
ducers when the Negro question was at issue.
1t was not very long before it dawned on
her that photo play dealing with facts in
advocacy OF better treatment for the colored
American had no commercial value.
One motion picture producer told her that
she could not tell him anything about Ne
groes; that he was a Southerner and for
years had had a coored cook. Here was
another case of white man having the
audacity to assume to know twelve millions
of people of all walks Of life by his cook
Verify we can say that even the war has not
robbed some OF us Of unadulterated self
conceit and superficial notions about race SUI
periority
[ was an onlooker to an incident last Sat-
urday afternoon which afforded me a rare
opportunity to closely observe what dis
turbing element prejudice is. About
thirty passengers, bound for Brooklyn, got
off at the Rector Street Station Of the new
Seventh Avenue Subway forming line
for transfers as they marked out of the sub
way entrance. One of the passengers was
young colored woman. She was proceed
ing in orderly fashion to get her transfer
of the agent, when man and woman, who
gave evidence Of being used to 'Jim Crow
cars rushed from the rear Of the line and
created confusion by trying to get transfers
ahead Of the lady of color. The latter was
thrown out Of line as were several white
persons.
Had the two "superior persons been
orderly and applied for transfers with some
consideration as to the rights of others there
would have been no confusion. But they
saw a cOlOred person ahead Of them and