The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1922-12-09
FRIENDS HOLD NTER-RAcIAL
CONFERENCE
By VIM. Anthony Aery


Philadelphia, Pa.-The Friends have
always stood fearlessly and faithfully
by men, women and children who
were disadvantaged but who were
making a brave struggle to find a way
out of their troubles. This spirit still
prevails, as was shown in the recent
conference which was held. in the
Friends Meeting House, Fifteenth
and Race streets, under the auspices
of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Committe on the Interests of the Col
ored Race and of the Philadelphia
Inter-iacial COMMITTEES.
DR.. Ebert Russell, director OF the
WoolInan School, Swarthmore, Pa,
presented a resolution calling for an
open iuter-reeial conference to dis
euss methods OF promoting inter-raeial
cooperation. This resolution was
unanimously adopted.
A well-known Philadelphia Friend,
]. Henry Scattergood, presided at this
conference, which was called to con-
slider "The importance of Teaching
Modern Sociology Squarely; The
Preparation of Up-to-Date Textbooks
for Civic Classes" "How to Teach
Inter-racial Understanding and Co
operation" Qualities Needed in Civ
les Teachers" and THE Problem
of Segregation"
Anne Biddle Stirling, chairman OF
the Philadelphia Inter-racial Commit
tee, Inferred to the fear and prejudice
in the minds of white people which
keep them from thinking clearly on
problems of race relations. Mrs. Stir
ling stated that altogether too many,
white children are given the idea that
the Negro as class is dirty, ignorant
and lazy. She pointed out clearly the
need of teaching white children-and
colored children, too-about Negroes
who have made important achieve
ments.
Principal Leslie P. Hill of the
cheyney State Normal School spoke
on THE Negroes Contribution to
American Life" I'VE must have
stated" he said, @those important
features of the lives of colored peo-
pie about which we have heard too
little. Newspapers and magazines are
ouick TO exploit the negative aspects
Of the race problem. Seldom do we
get any hearing for the uplifting fea-
tures of the. Negro problem. There
L the deep-hxed conviction IN the
minds of many white people that the
colored people of the United States
are a worry, a problem, and an en-
barrassment."
Associate Editor Alice Dunbar
Nelson of the Philadelphia Whining
ton Advocate, said: MANY children
receive their picture of the black race
through a picture of some Hottentot
which they have seen in an elemen-
tary geography. Every locality has
its history tinged by prejudices- There
is a prevailing need of giving children
the needed facts concerning Negroes.
We do not teach literature. We are
taught literature. Very often good
poem has high value in shaping hu-
man lives. Very often the wall OF
white prexarication does not admit
eolored truth. We need to begin with
little children by giving them correct
oictures Of the contributions which all
groups have made to civilization
The New South and the Negro
Dr.. lanes Hardy Dilard, president
Of the Jeanes and Slater Boards and
rector Of William and Mary College,
smoke on How to Promote Inter
rae;si Understanding and Co-opera-
t;ou.r DR.. Dinzrd emphasized the fol-
lowing points: ID The Federal Gov
eminent ought TO help Negro ednea-
don through State organizations %
The advance which has been made
n the problem Of handing race rela-
tsonships Is ! mixture Of g5od and bad
fst In 1872 1913 the Jeanss teaehers.