Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-09-09
AMERICANS SPREADING ANTI
NEGRO PROPAGANDA IN EU-
ROPE

"Wherevcr certain class of
American tourists go in Europe they
continually and industriously en-
deavor to convince Europeans that
the Negro in the United States is ig-
norant, criminal, vicious and above
all rapist, ever ready to criminally
assault white women and restrained
only by sheer brute force in the form
of lynching," was the statement made
today by Arthur II. Long, principal
of large public school in Indian
apolis, Ind, who has just returned
after spending more than two months
in France, Germany, Italy and
Switzerland, according to announce
mcnt by the National Association for
the Advancement of Colorcd People.
"They never tell of the decent,
sclf-rcspccting, progressive colored
people" Mr.. Long continued, "thc
best that they ever say is usually
some story about good darky' or
n coon Unfortunately, this work
has been carried on so extensively
that it is being felt in countries
where few years ago there was no
thought of race prejudice. Ameri-
cans, spending lavishly, are natural
ly catered to by French, German and
other merchants and business men.
Thus economic pressure is making
people free from prejudice bow to
American racial bitterness"
"On the other hand, there seems
to me to be considerable knowledge
in Europe of the facts about the race
problem in America. Largely due
to the attempt Of America to assume
the moral leadership of the world as
we'll as the financial mastery. Euro
peans consider the race question in
America and the burning alive of
human beings to be the acid test of
the genuineness Of American moral
ideals. Europe wants to know the
real facts about the race problem in
America, and it is to be regretted
that there seems to be no adequate
means at present of getting the real
truth before Europe"
"All Americans who 60 to Europe
can be divided, with only a few ex-
ceptions, into two classes. One of
these is that group l have already
spoken of-those who deliberately
spread lies about the Negro. The
other class is composed of those who
say nothing about the problem. Very
few white Americans ever take the
time or the trouble to tell the truth,
even if they themselves know it. It
is sad but true fact, that in all the
time | was in Europe the only really
good things said about the Negro
were said by Frcnchmcn and English
men,"
Mr.. Long was asked about the
truth OF the charges made in the
United States Senate on August 31st
hX OF nf Inl> Il,
that French colored troops were COM
in the occupied zones. He replied: az
was in Germany two weeks and dur
ing that time, though I was at May
ence where French troops arc quar-
tered, as well as at Cologne where
the British troops arc stationed, and
at Coblcnz where the American
of any such charges. 1t does seem to
me that if there had been the slight
est grounds for such charges I would
have at least have gotten an inkling
Of it, The real reason is easy to I'M
dcrstand The Germans naturally
want the occupation forces removed.
They are wise enough to know that
Americas blind spot is her race pre-
judice, and that an appea to that
race prejudice is the most potent ar
gunlent they can make to Americans,
especially when that appeal is made
to the tune of a charge that black
men are raping white women"
"Perhaps one of the most interest
ing things I Observed" Mr.. Long con-
tinued, twas the fact that Americans
as soon as the ship left American soil
seem to feel that the ban of color
was lifted and restrictions were re-
moved. People who would not think
of treating colorcd people deccntly
in America for fear Of exciting COM
ment or scorn actually became
friendly and acted like human be-
ings. My conclusion is that the at
Imosphere of America is conducive to
Irace-hatred and Negro baiting-that
the so-called race prejudice is not in
hcrent at all, but is artificially Gre
ated and maintained as a sort of
! fetish in the United States"
Mr.. Long covered great deal of