The broad ax., 1920-10-16
RACE REFLECTIONS THAT
STARE US IN THE FACE.
By DR.. NJ. A. Majors.

Covering long StretCh OF years
and having experiences that do not
fall to the lot of the average man,
and having been a practicing Physi-
clan for thirty-fve years during which
time / have been about the country
and studying much men and things
generally, naturally | have the no
ton that may be able to understand
conditions not only in the life OF in
dividuals, but in the life OF a race,
neither narrowed nor circumscribed
to one race but to meet the situation
that involves any race.
For thirty-five years | have been
a constant contributor TO newspapers
and magazines and feeling to know
the needs OF mankind in the environ
mentS as TO be studied, have written
out OF the fulness OF my heart with
no thought OF pleasing the reader by
pretty verbiage, nor with any such
thing in mind as winning applause.
We have kept constantly in mind
that peradventure we might bring to
the seeker after truth a message that
might correlate with truth which sus-
tainS itself.
We have studied individuals and
sought to analyze their personal
worth. To learn if possible whether
they really measure up to an honest
estimation we could see they had OF
their own value Truly we have found
our strict and merciless analysis the
result in almost despair. Too often,
Alas! has our conception OF real char
acter been shattered.
We are not given to anything akin
to peSSimism for we look lar off into
the tomorrow OF pomiSing and trans
cendant grandeur and find that ever
present beaming star OF hope which
Springs eternal"
We are not doing all the big things
we ought to have done years ago.
Here and there we are emerging from
the ruin and chaos frought by ignor-
ance and that infamous crime OF chat
tel slavery. Here and there we arc
reaching up beyond the easy tasks
and tackling monstrous difficult things
that give stimulus to the life within
our tired loinS.
The truth does not have TO be EN-
bellishcd by fictitious effort nor set
forth by any proclamations OF won
der. 1t is to stand, we go. The
duties OF the present day press heav-
lily and force us to reveal to the world
the assurance OF nobler humanity II
the making. The day of small thing:
are not to be forgotten nor despised
but we are not now a small race anC
therefore we cannot do other thar
: great things. This has to do witt
the idea that united we may compass.
the world rather than remain restrict
ed to a narrow scope. The detemin
ing Rctors carry the weight OF col
lectivc goupS bent upon overcoming
u what must have at sometime beer
almost impossible OF accomplishment
l. Strength OF numbers multiply TIT
palSied efforts OF the weak and Civ,
: assurance to what we attempt wher
: controlled by the spirit OF that rich
incentive that is ever inviting hon
orable cndeavor, and which conduce:
to a glorious reward
The Binga State Bank, The grea
South Side department store, The
Pyramid Building & Loan Associa
ton, The Black Star Liner, PuOlica
tons of Magazines and newspaper:
I are among the worth while effort:
I of the hour Wealth is within and o
n us if by that race continuance anC
J, frugal race preservation we keep il
!. mind our right of eminent domain.
Making a fortune, or getting ricl
, which in its higher sense, determine.
spirit of respect and independence
7 has not taken firm hold upon us yet
nor become deeply rivcted in ou
d blood. We are the only race that re
J. fuses to let money accumulate utter
Tor and vain things, beautiful extcrio
and gaudy glass has shorn our Blacl
T Sampson of his giant locks of human
strength. What we have not save,
would make J. D. Rockefeller appeal
n like pauper.
+ They say we are growing. We'll
it must be so since there is such
pleasing hope, such wonderful imag
: innings, such indomitable and indie
fatigable effort at laying hold on tn
t multiplied opportunities of the pres
n ent.
In truth no such era of much adj
has ever taken such firm hold on tn
heart and mind of the Negro to poo
his interests in business and to tn
end that life must mean very nue.
more than it has ever before. In tn
r last analysis we must think proud.
N of becoming a living race, we are no
q more a dying race than others. w
: are to leave out of the equation GU
a religious bigotry, which in Gods sigh
4. is nothing but sacrilege and idolatry
Il - L.