Phoenix tribune., 1919-03-22
Definition OF The Black Man. Place
THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE Of
THE BLACK MANS PLACE

Nby IL. j. Moore, in Tampa Bulletin)
You have no doubt frequently heard
the assertion, ''Niggers should stay in
their place." and wondered in your
soul just what particular place has
been especially assigned to you by the
narrow-chested fellow who assumes
such authority. For it seems that what
ever and wherever that place should
be is left entirely to the discretion OF
the other fellow Whatever he con-
ceiyes in his mind to be the Negro's
place, that's it. And what is more. Mr..
Colored Man must understand each
Individual so well, and read his mind
so accurately that he will know lust
exactly what place he must occury.
and stay in it; that is, until some other
fellow comes along and makes further
readjustment in order to suit his
whims. To some his place is with the
beasts of the forests to others who are
a little more charitable he is given
place with the donkey, while still
others take him upon his merits. and
accord him the same place that is ac.
corded other rational and intelligent
beings.
No other race under the sun is eau
toned to stay in his place but the Ne
gro race. And that place may be any
position that the other fellow con-
oniNnc fbo noUro c1,n,,1d -
What is that place. and where is it?
Is it the three back seats in a street
car? Is it the Jim Crow car on a pas
senger train? Is it the delapidated
and unimproved section of our cities?
Does it take the form of short school
terms and poorly paid teachers? Does
it mean the barring of Negroes from
respectable jobs Does it mean dis
elimination and lynching of Negroes
while others are treated fairly and
given day in court?
God forbid! And yet by Inference
that is exactly what the assertion
means when fellow says a Negro
should stay in his place. Other races
may roam at will, but the Negro must
always be mindful of his place, and be
very careful not to tread on forbidden
territory; he must move around in Il
world circumscribed by any one who
chooses to do so, or be guilty of the
most objectionable crime of getting
out of his place
So the question naturally arises,
''What is the Negro's placer"
In answer to that it would seem
that the question of citizenship and
manhood rights must first be deter
mined. Let us see. The Declaration
of independence says in part as fol-
lows:
1--WE hold these truths to be self
evident; that all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable
rights; that among these are life. lib
erty, and the pursuits of happiness.
That, to secure these rights, govern
ments are instituted among men, de-
irving their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed.
The preamble to the Constitution of
the United States is as follows:
eve, the people of the United
States, in order to form a more perfect
union, establish JUSTICE, insure do
mestice tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings OF
LIBERTY to ourselves and our pos
terity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States Of
America"
The Fourteenth article of amend
ments to the Constitution is as fol
lows:
"All persons born or naturalized in
the United States, and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the
United States and of the state in
which they reside. No state shall
make or enforce any law which shall
ABRIDGE the privileges or immunl-
ties of citizens of the United States;
nor shall any state deprive any PER
SON of life, liberty, or property, with
out due process of law; nor deny 10
any person within its jurisdiction the
equal protection of the law.
We have reason to believe that
these provisions set forth in the fore
going paragraphs include the Negro,
too. His place has been fully deter
mined by the Constitution of the