Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-09-13
SAYS JOE
SIMPSON
THE PLANET :.
Its Aims and Aspirations.

write upon the above SUBJECT ior
the simple reason that 1 feel that
other paper, at times reads
everyone who reads this or any
things printed therein that to
their minds are questionable,
vet for some reason unknown to
the writer fully 80 per cent OF
such statements or articles 60
unuuestioned. Whether such
things are allowed to go unques-
toned by the masses because of
a desire not to offend or whether
it is a matter of downright lazi-
ness on the public's part is open
to question.
Whatever may be the cause OF
this apparent condition or men
tai attitude of the Negro in gen
eral and in Richmond Negroes
in particular, this writer hopes
with the aid of others here to
be able to remove it. Be it there
fore understood, that anything
written in the columns of this
paper under this writer's name
is open to the criticism of any
one anywhere. We not only
welcome criticism, we invite it.
take great pride in being
connected in a small way with
the RICHMOND PLANET, for
I feel that there is a great fu-
ture open to this paper, a field
of service to the Negroes of the
City, the State and the Nation.
THE PLANET wants it's read
ers to offer criticisms that they
feel will be helpful in building
up a better journal, wants them
when they have constructive
ideas to pass them on to the pa
per, if they feel that such ideas
would prove beneficial to it. We
want you to feel that this is your
paper, and that it can be no
more, nor less, than what you
make it, we want you therefore
to take an active interest i'm
your paper, bring it up to the
level of your own ideal Of a
newspaper, write to Mr.. R. C.
Mitchell, the editor, stating your
views. He also wants your con-
structive criticism, as criticism
is the "stuff" of which great men
are made, and by and through
which great men are made
greater.
These lines are inspired by an
editorial in this paper under
date of January rs, 1880, under
the caption, what Ails Rich
mond"? In this editorial Mr..
Mitchell pointed out some of the
outstanding faults in the mental
attitude of the Negro citizenry
here, the historic and underly-
ing causes for same and in a
few words painted a graphic
word-picture of the lethargic
and apathetic mental attitude of
the Negroes of the city. He
made an end to speaking through
the columns with the following
paragraphs: "In the mean time,
the greatest need of the present
is a loud-speaker to amplify the
voices of our leaders. If the
Populace could hear plainly the
voice of our leadership, they
could more readily respond.
There is enough profundity of
thought and calibre of ability in
the leadership here to accom-
plish the task of placing Rich
mond in the forefront of colored
communities IN America, If we
only had a journal of sufficient
power to command and rally the
folk in big majorities.
Our ailment of non-co-opera-
ton is caused largely by the lack
of a sufficient mouthpiece. The
Planet is committed to the task
of giving Richmond a loud
speaker to be used by any and
all interests for the forward
march that we believe to be ours
for the future"
So spoke the democratic edi-
tor of the Richmond Planet. He.
cannot realize his dream without
your aid; help him, by doing sol
you help your self, your friends
and millions of Negroes yet uni
born. Talk Back to Me.