Evening star., 1928-04-10
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
l. C. NJ.
RECREATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS
AMONG NEGROES OF WASHING
TON n n William II Jones.

howard university ITeSS.
Threescore and six years ago ADra-
ham Lincoln spoke the Wofd that passed
the negro population of the United
States from slavery out into freedom.
That Lincoln sent forth this momentous
message as Commander-in- chief OF the
Army by right of the martial law then
in operation rather than as President
under constitutional authority, is
deeply interesting matter, though not
of prime Importance here. The true
point of arrest In this connection Is
that out of a condition OF complete
dependence the negro was suddenly
born anew into a world of personal
duties and obligations for which he was
wholly unprepared. And, further, that
within this 65-year period the negroes
of the United States have achieved
racial development that offers no
parallel in the history of liberated
peoples.
The City of Washington offers an ex-
ceptionally fair field for study OF the
negroes as a supporting and responsible
element in the common life OF which
they are q part. Washington, votelesS,
offers the unique political device OF
municipality operating under the con-
handicap to the white citizens of the
Capital, this anomalous situation may
have been, doubtless was, an advantage
to the negro In the earlier years OF his
citizenship since, while learning so
many other things, he was for time
saved from the fervors and pressures
of politics. But the negroes of Wash
ington have grown up. They have
reached their majority as citizens. and
when the coming franchise arrives it
will offer the spectacle Of an entire
community moving into the promised
land of political maturity and compe-
tency. The negro then, in his long
training as a free man, will prove him.
self as well prepared, as right thinking,
as devoted in patriotism as the white
citizens of the Capital Pretty certain
it is that there will be no slackers
among them And maybe they will
provide the leaven to lift from the
country as whole the stigma of dis
regarded franchise.
These conclusions concerning the
negroes of the Capital are but the plain
logic of outstanding facts, many in
number and affirmatory in effect. Ex-
actly as the white population of Wash
ington separates into the rich, the we'll
to-do the poor. so do the negroes here
fall into corresponding classes. The
professions also are all well and honor
ably represented by them. Practically
every occupation engages them. Educa-
ton is prime concern among the peo-
pie of this race. Institutions for its
pursuit cover the range OF cultural,
scientific. technical and industrial pur-
poses and objectiveS. Philanthropy is
markedly active among them, as wisely
directed, besides, as 1t Is among their
fellow citizens Their churches are pro-
portionately as numerous as among the
white population and as widely sepa-
rated by diverse creeds and shades of
religious difference. Better than this.
they are equally active in social and
spiritual service. Washington, three
fourths white and one-fourth negro in
its citizenry. is notably law-abiding
and orderly city.
**
William H. Jones, professor of sociol-
ogy in Howard University, offers 10
readers by way of the volume in hand
competent and practical study of the
negroes of the Capital in their hours of
recreation and diversion. "Leisure-tiine
activities" Prof. Jones soundly main
tains, provide the richest of the social
fields Of investigation. since then in
hibitionS are fewer. spontaneous action
more certain. social urges and impulses
within reach of the investigator There
fore, into this field Prof. Jones set
group OF experienced and trained OBJ
servers TO follow human nature in its
response to the social content of recrea-
tional hours. Here is systematic study
ne saiI hat A ufs lrg
also of fine interpretational value as TO
the social revelations of playtime.
Separated into mon n-commercialized
and commercialized activities" the au-
thor gathers up in a descriptive treat
ment the games and sports of the negr3
youth of the city. the Fairgrounds and
Summer camps and social centers. In
the same spirit he discusses the social
work of the churcheS--not quite so
hopeful a picture, this one. Right or
wrong, there seems To be a fairly gen.
eral uneaSineSs about the churches these
days. However. that is something else.
Prof. Jones makes a special study of
the unique character of Howard Uni
verSity and of its achievements along
the lines OF robust and intelligent eff
forts in behalf of society as whole by
way OF this truly distinguished and re-
significance of the Armstrong Dunbar
competitive military drill is projected In
a spirit of fair inquiry. Beyond this
point there is survey of the theater,
the dance halls. the cabaret the pool
rooms. each in its role as agent in the
developing life of negro youth. Follow
ing Is a discussion of some behavior
sequences OF inadequate recreational and
amusement facilities" very useful
study that is projected IN a splendid
spirit OF fairness and deliberated conclu-
sion. A competent. practical work of
scientific research bent upon the social
reactions of wisely sourced amusements
projected in the interests OF society
itself
In book of essays on "The Theater"
edited by Mrs. 1saaCS, most Interest,"
Ing and authoritative work. there is a
discussion by Alain Locke of "The
Negro and the American Theater" ="
Some points in that discussion have
clear place here beside Prof Jones'
study OF negro recrcations. Alain Locke
makes plain the certainty that the flu
ture Of American drama must take the
negro into account. must take this race
into account because II has contribu-
tion to make without which our drama
will remain the tradition that 1t now is.
dying away ultimately. as all tradition
does. into the pale domain OF feeble imi-
tation. The great gift that the negro
viii bring TO the drama Is a tempera-
ment and folk lore. These will be the
Iinal blow to the pure tradition of both
play and acting that now performs little
more than marionette service for the
pleasuring of theatergoers. THE prom
ise of the most vital contribution of our
race To the theater lies, In my opinion,
In the deep but still unemaneipated re-
sources OF the negro actor and the folk
arts OF which he Is yet only blind and
hampered exponent Dramatic spon-
taneity, the free use of the body and
the voice us direct instruments of feel
llltr--l hlan laaAi.-..aa