The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1931-05-28

MONIGLAlR, N. J.-Character-
izing the religious principles of the
Y. M. C. A., under the leadership of
John R. Mott, white, as an example
of the extreme apologize attitude
of modern religion when faced by
the race problem, and attacking in
dividualism in the economic world
on the part of the Negro as an I'M
sound doctrine, DR.. Mordecai john
son, president of Howard University,
discussed race relations in a two
hour address at the interracial din
ner staged at Central Presbyterian
Church here Monday night.
A religion which splits on the
race question cannot produce any
great craftsmanship on that ques-
ton" DR.. johnson insisted as he
wound up his speech, delivered be-
fore several hundred white and col
ored citizens who have been in the
midst of a celebration of "Negro
Achievement Week" in this city
since Saturday.
Address Remarkable
His address Monday night was
marked by brilliant analysis of the
entire problem of racial relations
and his plea for practical solutions
of this problem in the domains of re-
ligion, economic life, and education
had such a marked effect on a num-
Der of wealthy white citizens present
that several, near the speakers table
declared after the meeting that they
had never listened to such a remark
able address.
He said it was helpful when men
who lead public life meet with eaca
other, regardless of race as was true
IN this gathering. He cited the race
problem as the most romantic and
difficult of all human problemsf-He
called attention to the Importance
of the five million or more poor
whites of the South in their relation
saying the lives of the former had
been smothered even as had the Ne
gro's life and the two groups had
been kept split in twain.
But romance existed in this very
situation, he said, because the posi-
bilities latent in the two groups were
great and unknown quantities, res
ervoir of power which can be re-
leased to the untold advancement
of American life.
Human Religion Is Interracial
"The one human religion in the
nation is the interracial religion" he
said. Zone can fill up a useful life
aiding the Negro, he added"
DIR. johnson said that there is no
single phase of life unconditional
by the black man and his relation to
whites. As an example he cited how
both whites and Negroes suppressed
in the South formed vast group of
poor buyers, made poor by low
wages. One solution of the over
production of today, he said, would
be for industry to cease overlook
ing these millions of 'under-consum-
ers' who should be made producers.
He said the South had impoverished
itself trying to hold the Negro down.
The captains of industry should op-
crate in and seek markets in this
vast area as well as seek them in the
foreign field, he added
2O,0OO,0OO Disfranchised
Nine million Negroes disfran-
chised in the South meant that 90
100000 were actually disfranchised,
he said, because disfranchisement
stifled all public discussion there and
public questions were settled be-
fore they were produced. As
result the career of statesman on
the part of the Southern white man
was impossible. He said the great
Democratic experiment was not
real one until this condition was
overcome.
Mott Doesn't Face SquareIy
In the religious field he said that
Professionalism had been paralyzed
by great public questions. Instead
of intellectual onslaughts on prob
lens, we have opologetics. He said
the greatest religious leader in
America, John r. Mott. Y. M. C. A.
head, was the supreme apologist for
lot facing the race issue squarely.
He added that instead of one
great religion, we had 200 denomina-
lions which were split in twain on
the race question and that we were
"floundering officially" He said
that Professionalism would gain no
victory until the chasm between
black and white is crossed.
Color Attitude Challenges.
On all fields, he said, the attitude
toward color is the most challeng-
ing human relation now in force.
The proper solution of this question
may be nucleus for new world
order. He said it was the greatest
mistake to assume the racial problem
demanded the same solution every
where.
He asked that the Negro in the