The Omaha guide., 1933-07-15
The
SPIRIT of
YOUTH
By Roscoe Howard

Mr.. Roscoe H0War0 ed1tOr OF the
following column is an Omaha. boy of
some twelve years ago. He lived with
his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Phillip
Howard a brother Philip Howard, and
a sister Miss Della Howard. The
Family attended the St. Phillips
Episcopal Church while residing in
Omaha and lived at 9th and Corby
Streets.
In these gloomy days of political
and economical unrest, the people of
the country, regardless of what might
have been their previous condition,
have been brought face TO face with
an emergency that calls for a re-af-
firmation of hope in the future of our
race.
In the line Of this reasoning an out
standing leader Of today has well
said that what the world requires
now is the faith and courage of
YOUTH Possible to no other people
than the Negro is this more appli-
cable.
1t is most certain, and almost
pathetic, that the Negroes in Amer
lea can no longer rest their case in
the hands of older leaders who have
misled them, OF SO much as a result
of dollar-an cents philosophy, but
simply because of ignorance-they did
the best that their AGE permitted.
Their contribution will someday be
~immortalized by the pen of a writer
for more able .han my humble hand
can ever hope to hold. But their SER
vices will best be done when, catch
ing the spirit of a new age with its
changed conditions, they will thru
their assistance and gradual retire
ment from competition permit
YOUTH to Garry on" the burden.
As young men and young women
we are then inspired in this new pro-
gram not alone by an idealistic goal
but by the great thought that upon
our shoulders the load Of a neglected
people must be carried and in our
hands the future Of a hopeful race
must be nodded. As never before we
realize that what our people need is
not more socials and grand opera but
the basic necessities in life.
1t is, however, uneconomic as well
as bitter irony, to satisfy the higher
demands of our life first and leave
u actual Giving" to chance. To
realize this end we are ready to sacri-
flee hours, days, and years if need be,
to carry on a militant fight wherever
necessary.
For example, as youth we have re-
acted very sensitively to the adverse
newspaper publicity hat we have on
many occasions been given, both by
race papers and by our metropolitan
press. We believe that such an article
appeared in the LOS ANGELES
dated June Is, and under the
name Gardner Bradford, is certainly
opposed to the best interests Of the
AS long as the better class of
our people are sub-classified and the
ideals of u race so grossly pros
tltuted there is not much that we can
hope for in the way of social, eco
nomic and political recognition. To
give the impression, as this author
did that the Negro has nothing but
sunshine in his heart is to deny that
he has any more serious moods or is
even capable of deliberate thought
and rational action.
In this matter. we must, however.
be most candid and open-minded. The
Negro press has itself not been alto
gether free from such, misrepresenta-
ton of u people. But in their case
the reason has been quite different
and the solution is more simple It
has become significantly plain that
our newspapers canno publish worth
while news and carry on individual
feuds and political campaigns on the
side especially when they conflict
with the avowed policy Of the papers.
1t is inconsistent to both fight and ac-
cept ~gratuitous fees from ones enc.
my.
1t is then, very pleasing to note the
introduction into the journalistic field
of the EASTSIDE NEWSSHOPPER.
especially in view of the fact that its
staff is composed of young people.
AS a young man myself I well know
what it means to make a great sacri-
flee to attain an end such as this AL
though in other respects / NAV differ
from the publisher of this paper, in
one thing we are in common. It is
this, "the recognition that the task of
carrying a great social program
should above all(other things be done
by well qualified persons" 1t is there
fore significant that the staff that
handles the EASTSIDE NEWS
SHOPPER is composed of highly
qualified persons.