Evening star., 1933-11-01

George was the most accomplished hu-
| man being whom he ever met.
Spanish archives contain letters
diaries and sundry accounts which
will give light, of racial i'm
portance on the exploration in the
Southwestern part of the United States
We remember EStevanico called E
Turco VINO discovered the Grand Can
yon OF the Colorado. There were Negroes
with Balboa in the Pacific. PlZarro II
Peru, Cortez in Mexico and with othel
explol ers in Guatemala. Chile and Ven
ezuela. Nor should the memory lapse
, on the parts played in Cuban and span
ish history by Maceo. Ducasse. Bandera
Rabl, Gomez; in Venezuela by Paez
and in Brazil by Patrocine and Dias."
Charge Falsified History.
DR.. Rivers said the history of nc
people is more falsifled than the Ne
gro, particularly by English writer's
and the Negro should know the ro-
nance languages. in which history Is
more accurate, SO as 10 relule tle
faisificationS.
He cited various attempts to min
imize the accomplishments OF negroes
by American scholars and said this Is
done not only in learned treatiseS but
in newspapers. During the recent dis
turbance in Cuba he declared. Chi
cago paper omitted the fact that Ful-
gencio Batista, the sergeant who LEAD
the revolt against the Cespedes gov
ernment. would be called a Negro IN
the United States"
Color plays little if any part In eco
nomic and civic opportunities in Latin
American countries, the speaker as
serted, and knowledge Of the language
opens a field of opportunity there Tor
the American Negro.
Finally he urged learning romance
languages to open to Negro thinkers
men of letters, artists and musicians
new zones for mental ana emotlollai
adventure"
The fact Negroes who are creative
artists have thrived and at present are
acceptable in romance speaking coun-
tries proves there is an affinity be-
tween the Latin and African tempera-
ments which the latter should cultl-
vate," Dr. Rivers said.
Would Protest Conditions.
Study of these languages also will
encourage him to protest against ms
condition in America, the speaker Sald
pointing out "a knowledge OF the Ian
guages will enable the Negro to share
more freely in the world citizenship OF
both historical and contemporary
times. BY restricting his reading to
works and periodicals written in the
language of his oppressor, he accepts
unWittingly and without protest. Ideas
and points of view designed to enslaVe
his mind forever. -,
"A knowledge of these languages vii
stimulate his desire to travel ana leave
these confines 1t will reduce his pro-
yincial-mindedness already induced tc
an acute degree by slave psychology ano
the knowledge of only one language.
Prof. V. B. Spratlin of Howard Uni
versity discussed Spanish literature IN
relation to the Negro from the same
point of view expressed by DR.. Rivers
Referring to the recent moving picture
Emperor Jones'" he said knowledge OF
Spanish literature would be an anti
dote for such virus as We recently saw
on the screen, for virus it is, notWlth-
ataVism and Similar Psychological hocus-
pOcuS."
Occupies High Place.
He said the Negro occupies a high
NN-N
literature of that country also reveals
his accomplishments in other fields
The speaker then dwelt at length on
the effect and accomplishments Of the
Negro in the literature of the Spanish
speaking peoples of the New World.
Yesterday an exhibit of the works OF
Negro artists and musicians was opened
in the National Museum. More than
1000 persons are estimated to have
attended.
Striking among the oil paintings was
a series of figures by James A. Porter
winner of many awards, and crayon ano
charcoal work by Edwin A. Harleston.
Books showing achievements of the
African in music were displayed
Dr. Alain Locke of Howard Univer-
sity lectured on African art, saying the
modernistic school received its inspira.
ton and model from the art of thai
continent. Most of the great French