Phoenix tribune., 1918-11-02
THE NEGRO AFTER THE WAR
Bv z. j. Moore

The war is going to work many
changes in the Negro race. Before
the war began the Negro for the most
part lived in the South, and it seemed
well nigh impossible to think of his
living anywhere else in any consider
able numbers. Heretofore the Negro
has taken very little stock in emigra-
ton; he contented himself with living
in one great group in the southern
portion of the United States But
when the war is over the Negro is
going to get the moving habit just as
other peoples have done under similar
circumstances. In short, the Negro
is going wherever he believes he can
better his condition All sections of
this country are going TO receive a
goodly portion of the Negro popula-
! tion from the South And. besides,
they are even going to foreign coun-
tries in considerable numbers. In
other words the Negro is going where
conditions are most congenial; wheth-
er north, east, west, or abroad. But
you may rest assured that he is go
ing to be on the move. OF course
there will be large number that will
remain in the South; some from
choice, others because they can't help
themselves.
France will, in all probability, claim
the greater number of those who en-
igrate from this country, with Great
Britain a close second. 1t is proba-
BILE that nearly every European coun-
| try will be represented by the advent
of the American Negro. This is not
new; such changes always follow
great international struggles. And
/ the Negro is so interviewer in the
present conflict that he cannot fail to
be affected thereby There are great
moral issues at stake in this world
war that are going to have marvel
Gus effect upon the Negro. He is
| fighting to make the world safe for
democracy, but that is not the only
fight he is making. He is also fight
ing to make the world a safe place for
himself to live in.
1t is also plainly evident that the
Negroes educational advantages are
going to be looked after more care
fully after this war There is going
to be a general educational awaken
ing, the effect of which will be far
reaching Indeed, it is not improba-
BILE that the government may assume
operation of the schools, especially
where the facilities are far from be
ing adequate.
Leading Negroes throughout the
country have long felt that the Fed
eral Government should take hand
in the educational work of the coun
try, and this now seems very proba
BILE. Ignorance is our greatest handi
cap. 100000 Negroes can be a
power if they were only educated.
Another thing the Negro is going
to have is access to military training
1t is very essential that the Negro
as well as other nationalities, should
have the most thorough military train
| ing of the age, SO that he can the
more effectively do his part when he
is called upon to defend is country
In fact the government has already
established military training in con
| junction with other college studies
in leading institutions with a view to
continuing them for an indefinite per
t iod.
Every race that has attained any
boys are writing their names indel1'
bly, on the pages of history in their
brilliant fighting at the front, while
the world looks on in amazement.
And here at home we are trying to
bask them up by our assistance in the
Liberty Loan drive and other move
ments. the Negroes of Philadelphia
alone raising $5,OO0,CCe
All of these things point unmistak-
ably to the fact that the Negro is go
ing to come out of this war the wiser
and better for having participated in
it, In short he will feel as never be-
fore that he is a ful-fledged Ameri-
can who rendered his country every
possible service that could be expect
ed of him; and therefor will be just
ly entitled to a seat at the welcome
table" around which all will sit as a
fitting climax to world democracy
40 n Ecc OIIp ROXS