The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1923-08-18
PARADING THE RACES
WRONGS

II does occur 10 us that while we
are complaining so much about the
treatment we receive at the hands of
the white people who are inimical and
prejudiced to Us. if we would take
hand in doing more to improve the
vice conditions among our own group
we might make better headway. We
do not believe in advertising the short
comings Of the Negro, but parade his
Improvements, because the daily and
weekly press of the white people par
ticularly feature the crimes Of the
Negro, while refusing to give publicity
to his virtues.
Nearly all Of the Negro newspapers
With any considerable number Of read
ers seem to make special effort to
secure and publish nauseating, sensa-
tional happenings Of the race. We
wonder what the owners and editors
of Negro newspapers hope to accom-
plish by the front-page publication Of
the revolving news of murders and all
sorts Of crimes committed by mem
bers OF the racer Such charges are
not only given front-page space, but
have large top-line headings. which
call especial attention to the races
discredit.
Despite all the glaring attempts to
expose the. criminal practices of the
race, we rarely ever read, in the same
journals, anything said about the dis
grace to the race, and what should be
done to curb such tendencies.
You oft hear it said that If you want
to catch thief, employ another, and
it occurs to us that these newspapers,
instead of making strenuous efforts to
decrease crime among US, strive to
make more criminals, by the way in
which they put before the people the
meanness, dirt, and filth of those who
neither respect themselves nor anybody
else. The person who steals will tell
you that everybody will steal. The
person who viii barter her virtue will
not admit that there are any virtuous
women; in fact, such people are only
too pleased to give publicity to the
failures Of others to lead an exemplary
life. There are hordes Of both men
and women who are not content ID
debauch themselves, but are happiesl
when they can drag somebody else
down in the mire with them.
There are even societies organized
and functioning in communities for
the suppression OF cruelty to animals
which pay but little attention to the
depravity Of certain classes OF people
Of all the people in the world who
need the help and succor Of good peo.
pie, il is our group. who are trying ID
live down the habits fastened upon u.
by the teachings Of slavery, and if mer
and women who are in position to dc
most for the race fail in this particu.
Lar, we are in most depiorable and
helpless condition.
1t is the tendency Of human nature
to gravitate toward wrong-doine
rather than right-doing, and the les.
informed people are the more they
are inclined to want to do thing.
which reflect adversely upon them
rather than things which, while they
viii not bring them into the limelight
will add to and strengthen their future
standing I'M the world. In fact. many
of the crimes committed are the resul
of people reading Of how such deed.
were successfully perpetrated by 9th
ers. While we are trying to work oul
way up into the good graces and re.
spert Of others, X dom seem to III
that we would let the other fellow
publish our vices, while we publish
and praise our virtues. The Star
Newport News, VA.
VIII Col. Abbott and his staff pleas
stand UP and lead Is IN prayerT-
Editor.