The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-11
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3 NEeRo's PART IN THE WAR. .
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To The News Scimitar:
Being a constant and a~ppreciatiVe
reader OF your paper, | have read sew
eral of your editorials In when you
have kindly referred to the part which
the negroes have taken in the world
war-both in their contributions in all
financial drives put forth by this gov
eminent for the successful prosecution
Of the war, and also the efficiency n
valor shown by the negro troops on
the western battle front. Those words
Of commendation coming from you and
also from other editors n writer's
all over the country give my people a
hope and an encouragement In thelr
racial development that Is most helpful.
We hail with hearts thrilling with
joy and gratitude the utterances OF
great, broad minded Christian white
preachers and editors, that urge for us
a air chance for the enjoyment Of
common civil rights. | use the words
civil rights AZ opposed to social rights,
for | do not think any sensible negro
bankers after social rights, Life, liberty
and the pursuit OF happiness and the
other common civil rights that are
conducted government are the simple
and only considerations We desire,
II we are citizens and yield obedi-
ence to the country's laws and 10 ev-
| cry sense discharge the duties placed
upon us by the country, then in a
spirit Of simple fairness we should be
granted equal civil rights without the
least degree Of discrimination.
In a recent number of the New York
Age NOV. 30) q negro soldier, Corp.
| Charles IL, Drysdale. Of the S6sth in
fantry, states that on one occasion
being weary and hungry, he asked for
lunch at the American Y. NJ, C. A.,
the only available place for food in
| that city, He took a seat at a table
and the French waitress was on the
point OF taking his order when the
American Y, n, C A, official came
gro so soldiers fsiS here" The United states
soldier was asked to leave, hungry
and tired, from the well stocked store
house OF the Y, NJ. q A., aud that,
too, when the black people back here
in America had made praiseworthy sac
rifices in their contributions to the Y,
| NJ. C. A. fund for the simple purpose
Of making the soldier boys over there"
comfortable,
On another occasion, in the city of
Dion, a negro soldier attempted to
buy a package Of cigarets and was
told he could not have them, as they
were for white soldiers, and that, too,
when the Christian people had given
their money to furnish those things for
the soldiers" and not for white or
black soldiers. These, Mr.. Editor, are
some Of the Determinations that,
though apparently small, fall upon our
hearts as great Jumps OF lead.
The black soldiers proved themselves
good warriors over there, and when
covered with blood and the CRIME of
battle they return from the front line
trenches and apply at the American
Y. M, G, A. for refreshments or a
cigar and are refused on account OF
color. We feel that it is just a bit un-
fair. Were black men In charge Of a
lunch counter under the auspices Of
the Y. NJ. c.. A. and a white soldier
applied for refreshments. he would not
only be given courteous treatment, but
the best service in the place.
The Y. III. c, A. Is a great and pow
erful Christian organization, and il is
to be regretted that any official should
be influenced by any other than A
Christian spirit in the administration
of the affairs of that great o~rganiza-
tion. II is encouraging to know, how
ever, that on both occasions where tho
negro soldiers were denied service AZ
| the Y, NJ. c. A., as stated above there
were present white American soldiers
both privates and officers, who pro'
tested against the acts discriminsti inc
\ against the negro soldier,
! All the black soldiers over there have
acquitted themselves nohly, and many