Phoenix tribune., 1921-11-05


right of the American Negro to
broader political. economic and edu-
cational advantages, based on pride
of race, but never on an aspiration
for social equality ws championed by
President Harding here last Wednes-
day in a plainly worded enunciatioll
Of his views on the whole American
race problem.
A National Question
He said in part:
"The World War brough us to full
recognition that the race problem is
national rather than merely section
al. There are no authentic statistics.
but 1t is common knowledge that the
world war was marked by a great
migration Of Colored people to the
north and west They were attracted
by the demand for labor and the high
er wages offered. 1t has brought the
question of race closer to north AMI
west, and l believe, it has served to
modify somewhat the views of those
sections on this question. 1t has
made the south realize it's industIia,
dependence on the labor Of the black
man and made the north realize the
difficulties of the community in which
two great differing races are brough'
up to live side by side. should say
that it has been responsible for
larger charity on both sides, a be-
ginning Of better understanding, and
in the light of that better understand
ing perhaps We shall be able TO con-
slider this problem together as a prcb-
lem of all sections and Of 10th races
in whose solution the best intelligence
of both must he enlisted.
A World Issue
Indeed, we will be wise to recog-
nize it as wider yet. Whoever will
take the time to read aud ponder
Lothrop Stoddard's book on 1.-The Ris-
ing Tide of Color or say the though
full review Of some recent literature
of this question, which F. ID. Lugard,
presented in recent Edinburgh re-
view, must realize tlat our race prob.
lem here in the United States is only
phase of a race issue thai the whole
world cUnfronts Surely we shall
gain nothing by blinking the facts by
refusing to give thought to them.
That is not the American way of ap-
preaching such issues.
Mr.. Lugard.. in his recent essay,
after surveying the worlds problem
Of races, concludes thus:
Here then is the true conception
of the inter-relation of color-complete
uniformity In ideals, absolute equal
ity in the paths of knowledge and
culture, equal opportunity for those
who strive, equal admiration for those
who achieve; in matters social and
racial separate path, each pursuing
his own race purity. and race pride;
equality in things spiritual; agreed
divergence in the physical and ma
terial'
A Suggested Solution
Here it has seemed to me, is sug-
gestion Of the true way out. Politi-
eally and economically there need be
no occasion for great and permanent
differentiation, for Limitation of the
individuals opportunity. provided that
on both sides there shall be recogni-
ton Of the absolute divergence in
things social and racial. When sug-
gest the possibility OF economic equal
ity between the races. mean 1t in
precisely the same way and to the
same extent that ! would mean it If
! spoke of equality of economic op-
portunity as between members Of the
same race In each case, would
mean equality proportioned to the
honest capacities and deserts of the
individual.
Men of both races may well stand
uncompromisingly against every sug-
gestion of social equality. Indeed. it
would be helpful TO have that word
equality" eliminated from this con-
sideration; to have It accepted on
both sides that this is not a question
Of social equality, but question Of
recognising fundamental, eternal
and inescapabIe difference. We shall
have made real progress when we de-
velop an attitude in the public and
community thought OF both races.
which recognizes this difference.
Take the political aspect. would
eav let the black man vote when he