The northwestern bulletin., 1922-06-17
WHAT'S NEXT?

To the thousands of Colored graduates who are
emerging at this season of the year from hundreds
of institutions of learning throughout the coun-
try, the question, whats Next in their life is
of vital Importance. While the closing days OF
school, the commencement and the timely advice
and encouragement of commencement speakers
are all welcome what the aftermath or rather
what the future holds for them, if it has not al
ready been prepared by their parents, is most
perplexing question and problem which to solve
requires exerton to the fullest extent of the ad-
vice nearly every commencement speaker may
give
In the separate school, the graduate is fully
aware of the obstacles which confront his progress
prejudice and observation-disclosures he goes forth
prepared to meet these circumstances but in the
mixed school, the problems of the Colored grad
uate in particular, like the problems of his white
brothers are spoken of as being similar He is
not taught that because his color is black, his
chances of making good of doing something in
this world are any less than his white brothers
but he told that his making is within himself, that
the world is full of opportunities and that with the
necessary qualifications he must fearleSSly plunge
into the turmoil of life working faithfully until
success in the face of failures, is his reward.
If Colored graduates would forever bear in mind
that the part they have to play is carrying the
banners of struggling race and would re'entlessy
go into the various fields for which they have
equipped themselves, self-confdent and satisfied
that If color played no part in following their
chosen vocation, their services would be as highly
efficient any, the effects of their determination
would be seen. Of course, reason, common-sense,
diplomacy and courage must be used in seeking the
ends desired. The application of the same is ma
terial in any achievement. They must be applied
But on the other hand, there are far too many
Negroes who are allowing their dollars to get rusty
when they might be at work vested in some bus-
ness venture. Too many of our people refuse to
make opportunities for our young men and women
then say, Its too bod he had to go to mopping
Mr. Charles floor" 1t is too bad
If our young men and women are to continue to
leave school prepared full of ambition and pep
it is not altogether fair that they should seek the
'other fellow" for Chance" as often as they are
made TO- Negroes must get together and discuss
solve and remedy the situation. We have too
many doctors waiting table, too many lawyers por-
tering too many skilled men and women doing un-
skilled work and too many dollars parked earning
4f6 or less when they could be earning higher
rate of interest giving employment to some of
our own men and women if they were but invested
wisely in business ventures of our own. Yea far
too many.
So, when our graduates step from the school,
house door, may they remember these lines of the
English poet, Henley:
1T matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll
| am master of my fate,
| am captain of my SOUL"
What's next in their life, in a measure. is up
to them.