Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-01
Negroes Want Equal Rights

To the Editor Of the Evening Public Ledger!
sIr-Thc allied racial welfare committee,
representing every Negro organization In
Philadelphia has asked me TO writ" an open
letter to the daily press OF this city setting
forth some Of the reasons why they, as a
race, are asking for the enactment OF a
civil rights bill for the state Of Pcnnsylva-
MA at this time. Such a bill has already
been presented to tho state House Of Rep
rcstntatives by Representative John c. As
bury. OF Philadelphia, and. in brief. is In
tended TO protect all persons in their equal
rights. regardless Of race color or creed.
in places OF public accommodation, enter
tainment or amusement. and providing PEN
atty for violation OF the same
There arc many arguments in favor Of
such measure and virtually no valid ones
against II. Those possessed OF an unreason-
ing bias aga !nst the Negro are almost sure
to urge that such propositions represent the
desire OF the Negro to force his unwelcome
presence upon the white man. Such con.
clusions are without rhyme or reason.
II Ia In order to avoid the manifest in
justice and inconvenience and insult and
humiliation OF being dealt with though
he were q leper or pariah that the Negro
protests against civil prescription. with no
primary concern as to whether he is near to
or far from any other particular race or
group who are Justly entitled to the same
privileges lie II weary cf conditions under
which, no matter what the eXiSenCiCs Of the
AltuRtion may Ue. he may, at tho whm
OF mtsanthropc individuals. bo forced to
rely upon his own Inadequate resources for
the comfort or health or pleasure that no
seeks and sometimes Bravely needs or else
go without
Colonel Hcnr" watterson. Of Louisville,
Ky. once said in discussing the gross in
Justice Of racial determinations, that he
would not claim for himself or for his chill
dTen any right or opportunity that he would
not willingly accord TO any other citizen.
hE On "a "a HHf1 Ni,NaF NlR- Nhn,s
do, from n former southern rebel. But any
one who holds 20 any other position Ia
clearly at variance with American ideals
and democratic principles.
There are others who seek TO excuse the
inJustices Of this situation BY conveniently
lodging behind the bugaboo OF social
equality" Surely every thinking person
knowP the difference between social rights
which are purely personal matters, TO 10
regulated by each individual according to
his individual taste. and civil rights. whch
are, or should b., common TO all citizens
measuring up TO any common standard.
Tho most plausible argument that can
~ sFibly be raiscd against this bill s that
II might I've abused by Negroes, But even
this objection will not bear the weight OF
reason. There has never been right tina:
vas not abused by some OF those for who's,
protection II was maintained Tho num-
Der CT Negroes who would make themselves
obnoxious TO reasonable persons by abus-
lhE tnesc rights would, az the worst "
but comparatively small. Rut whatever
the number. would any fa!rminded person
urge that a legitimate excuse for cX-
cuding tho masses Of decent and well be
hnved Negroes from the rights and priv
ileGes and encOuragements OF human he
ings?
Thoughtful Negroes. who are conscicn-
uCusly striving TO measure up to tho high
cst standards OF American citizenship, are
SICK and tired Of being eternally saddlcd
with and made 10 suffer for the actions ard
Anticipated actions OF the more ignorant
md irresponsible among them. for whose
shortcomings they are 10 more responsible
than they are for the cbblng and flowing
OF the tides No ono would be more willing
than they TO see restrictions and barriers
placed against that element among them
Just as should be done with those OF any
rh"e who make OF liberty a license to In
wade the sacred rights OF others. But from
row on II g safe to say that intelligent
Negroes will more and more expect to he
dealt with according 20 their character
ana department and not according TO their
race or color.
JAMES SAMUEL STEMONS.
Philadelphia, February y. 1921.