Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-03-06
RINGING APPEAL TO THIN
NEGRO RACE.
by Lieut.. Williams Clifford, Special
Representative Washington, ID. e..

ton. The barriers which have fiept
our people In subsection are giving
way ana an era OF real freedom ana
better days are dawning. 1t may be
said that while the Civil War caused
the abolition of slavery, tho World
war has been instrumental in open.
Ing wider the door OF opportunity to
the co!orci race. We all feel that a
change Is taking place and that il is
a change for the better for tho $4,000
600 people which the present census
Will show to be the colored popula--
tlon Of the United States. The colored
race in America Is slowly but surely
working out its own destiny. That
our people will rise to greater and
greater things is the belief Of all
thoughtful observers.
From tho lowest depths Of misery
in which our ancestors struggled un
der tho inhuman tortures OF the lash
and degrading conditions OH South
ern plantations, the Negro race Is
rising to its proper place in accord
ance with the divine law Of compen
satiOn. God works through individ-
uals his wonders to perform. Bene-
fits to the race cannot come OF their
own accord. The great ltsson which
the past teaches Is that our people
must cooperate. They must work to-
gether for the advancement Of the
race. There must be racial solidar.
ty to accomplish the results we all do
sire. Our forefathers blaZcd the way
out of the jungle Of slavery, leaving
their children q heritage which they
themselves did not enjoy.
At q recent gathering of represen-
tative colorcd men in Washington. D.
c., number Of whom had served the
country with honor and distinction
in the American EXpeditionary Forces
in France, it was the concensus OF
opinion that the time had arrived, to
begin All active propaganda for the
bctterment Of the Negro people. 1t is
authoritatively stated that no less than
100000 Negro Americans wore the
National uniform in the Army and
Navy and contributed to the final vic
tory of making the World safe for
Democracy.
The time has arrived when self-de
Termination should be applied to the
Negro race In America. which out
numbers many Of tho races in Europe
who are enjoying more freedom rs
the result Of the great conflict. Many
reforms are necessary for the color
cd race and numerous battles remain
to be fought in the hall Of legislation
and elsewhere for better degree OF
equality--for the inalienable rights
guaranteed to all American citizens
under tho institution. 1t IS cheering
to know that n group Of inspired and
aggressive leaders are at work on
various problems ut tho National
Capital.
They are seeking tho cooperation of
other leaders OF tho race in Boston,
Now York, Chicago, Atlanta, Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, New Orleans,
Montgomery, st. Louis and elsewhere.
The foundation Of broad aud pow
erful propaganda Is being laid. which
will have far-reaching influence. 1t
is proposed to extend this campaign Of
education and enlightenment into tho
newspapers and magazines of the coun
try into churches, schools. moving
pictures, etc. The leaders of the move
ment have learned valuable lessons
from the manner In which forms OF
propaganda have been carried for the
education OF the white American.
1.-THE Struggle" Ia tho title chosen
FOR ten reel motion picture which
will portray Negro life in this coun-
try In its true light. Into what will
prove @ drama Of transcendant in
terest, 1t Is proposed to weave O
most powerful and gripping appeal for
justice that will BIO shown In prac
tlcally all Of the twenty thousand
moving picture theatres Of tho Unit
cd States. This will result in great
service to the colored race in max.
ing them better understood and no
moving race prejudice wherever 1t
exists.
The Washington leaders cannot be
cla"sed as dreamers or Missionaries.
They are men of practical experience
who have the courage Of thor convic
lions. They are mon Of actions rath-
or than words. They believe in suit
ing" the action to the word, the word
to the action" They possess energy.
self-r GLANCE and decision Of charac-
ter.
Approaching the Importance Of NOV
ing pictures, they have already enlist
cd the aid Of leaders in the motion pic
ture industry in New York and have
been assured that tho best talent in
the country and the most successful
business management is at tho service
cf the co!orod race in the production
OF one or more motion picture dramas
that will be tho talk Of tho nation.
The present movement, which had
its inception in Washington, Is spread
ing to all parts fthe country and is
looking to aid not only the present
generation, but to build for the future
as well. It looks forward to the time
when members Of the colored race
will not only preach but practice
race solidarity; when Negro citizens
will practices self1reliance and en-
courage enterprises among their own
people: when they will prove by their
actions and investments in advance.
ing the upbuilding Of the race; when
thoy will not be envious Of the suc-
cess Of their ass ~ciates in business;
when they will make sac ifices, II nee
eSaary, for the good OF the raca and
to improve conditions for the benefit
ot their cb 'ldren and grandchildren.
With y population exceeding fourteen
million colored people in the United