The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1924-01-02

4udC Tie CdSe pTOU1cW uoveI CAL pS
settled in America is an outstanding
fact. One of the important facts
concerning the solution Of the race
problem is that there is no solution
possible.
The negro race problem will always
be with US, but conditions undoubted-
ly can be much improved.
There seems to be no definite meth
cd that will bring permanent i'm
provements at this time. The very
best way out Of the present difficulty
seems to be the simultaneous use Of
several methods.
No method for solving the vexa-
tious race problem can be successful
until some facts Of a general nature
are we'll understood and for this rea-
son we venture to state some Of
them here, knowing that one reason
why we progress so slowly is that
too many Of US fail to get a general
understanding of the situation, but
having learned a few facts, we are
prone to rush into proposing a cure
for the disorder.
In the first place, both sides must
learn to take people just as they are.
Sometimes this is a bitter pill, but a
bitter pill is not made sweeter by
chewing it. There is too much of a
tendency to think of people as we
prefer them to be, and be greately
biased by this desire.
Both whites and blacks must accept
the negroes just as they are, and not
try to make them over. We may
wish that the negroes were as in
telligent and Industrious as the
whites. Some negroes may excel
some white men in this respect, but
as a race the whites far outclass the
former race, and to plan as if the
two races were equal is unfortunate
for all, but especially the negro.
In like manner all must take the
white man just as he is. There may
be room for improvement, but the
person goes blindly to a blind mans
trouble if he plans on any other basis
except the present conditions among
the whites. It is not merely a ques-
ton of what the white race should
be willing to do, but what they really
want and are trying to get. We will
be long step nearer the better day,
when both whites and blacks quit
planning on any basis except actual
conditions at the present time.
Then the negro must be considered
both as a race and as individuals. No
matter what a white mans ideals and
ambitions may be, he is white man.
No matter what a negro's ambition
may be, he is a negro, and should
spend no more time worrying because
he isn't white, than the white man
spends worrying because he isn't
black.
AS a race, both whites and blacks
must be considered on the basis of
the characteristics of each race and
not on the basis of the attachments
or faults of particular individuals.
However, the individual must not
be lost sight of. While the color
line will be maintained, yet that does
not prevent due recognition or indi-
vidual worth. If a negro ever gets
to thinking that he is a white man,
he may cause trouble for others, but
is sure to bring trouble to himself.
If white man is worthless he should
be considered a worthless white man,
and if negro is educated, skilled and
sensible, he should be so regarded.
That this is being done more and
more is one of the hopeful signs, of
the times. While maintaining the
color line, true worth and greater
usefulness is recognized on the other
side of the line. Whatever nreiudices