Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-02-20
SEPARATION B|LC
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something about the most cordia
and Pheasant relations that exist he
tween the Negroes and the white
people in our own state. TSfs cor
dial And friendly re1ationsnip wa.
: emphasized in choice words bv TIN
; white press and prominent person.
OF the white race about Ave month,
: ago when We had more than 10000
Negroes In Richmond, Virginia. II
was said then by our white friends
that the best Negroes in ali the
world Were to be found in Virginia.
This expression was carried by
the Associated Press throughout this
country Of ours, and now before that
impression dies away. the Senate in
session here today Is called upon to
consider House Biz number 80,
which has for its object the humflr
ation OF the Negroa In thinking
over the matter contained in this
bill we are forced to ask the ques-
tion-What have we done to war
rant such a change OF attitude on
the part Of our friends the patrous
OF this bill? Is It because you
think we want what you call social
equality?
'sIf there be those among us whs
prefer the color white to red. yellow
brown or black, we can find It In
our own race And It would be
well to remember that We are not
responsible for this cond4ion. We
do want Social Justice. Equal Righ0
before the Law and the same privil-
eyes that our laws guarantee ts
Other. racial groups.
1.-THE Negroes have shown their
loyalty In times Of peace and also
In the times Of war. In fact, we
were the only ones that you trusted
to guard and protect your faniliea
when you were engaged In the Civil
Vs. and in the World War the Me-
gr3 was selected to guard and pro-
tect the seat Of Government in Wash
ington, d c n. fact Is thai the
Negro has shown his loyalty to this
country at al! times and under thu
most trying circumstances.
House Bill number 30 now be-
ing considered by the Senate has al
ready had some disastrous effects.
.."ta) 1t has famed the GOALS OF
race prejudice and hatred into
flame thus endangering the peace and
well-being OF the community. (b) 1t
has set in motion stream of .ll-
viii that will darken the skies OF
better understanding among the
races If it is not checked by the wise
legislation of this law making body
OF the State of Virginia. (c) 1t has
brought already embarrassment to
InterTxcia1 groups Of white and col
ored persons who are working to-
,gether to adjust racial differences
and making this our State a better
place for both races to live in and
70 work out our problems together,
\ '"To my humb,e way OF thinking,
the local dissatisfaction complained
be used to block the progress now
being made along the Tines OF ra-
cal adjustmanxs in the State OF
Virginia. Favorable legislative ae-
tion on the tltal in question WA
disturb the whole State and bring
about an unrest ron viii not be ahas
to check even by the most drastic
measures. You claim that we are
needed in the South, but you will
not be able to hold ms by passing
such unwarranted legislation
"This 1s a period Of Racial Good
Win and better understanding and
the said bill is calculated to block 1t
and make it void. The mind is a
~articn'ar thing with which to deal
and ta1h bill is calculated to disturb
it and cause It to function in the
wrong way.
'.As / see it there are evil effects
that will follow in the wake Of the
passage of House Bill number 80,
and win take the occasion now to
name some Of them.
"(a) DisSouragement. uneasiness
and discomfort on the part of the
leaders of our race, who have and
are making good in leading our peo-
pie along all lines OF welfare and
uplift work in our State. They are
teaching our people to be worth
while citizens by being owners of
their homes and by respectful obed-
fence to law and order
(b) Encouragement will also
come to our people generally in the
cities and rural districts alike. When
lowers will be disconnected and scat.
tered ike sheep having no shepherd.
(c) The passage of this bill will
lead us to ask the following ques-
tons: % Are all Of our efforts to
improve ourselves in vain? Cd Does
the white man always mean what
he says when he compliments US?
"(O Such discriminatory legisla
TIN pays In the hands of the ex
tremely radical among us.
1--WE cannot solve the race problem
by ad1ering to the two following
ppnc piles: a1D, Might is always
right and must prevail at all times
without giving due consideration to
the circumstances. CD The strong
must Cypress the weak regardless Of
the righteousness of the cause. To
follow these principles will cad in
to the wilderness of disappointment
and suffering To nv m nd tha bet