The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-04-10
An Example How to Fight
Against Negro Oppression

THE victory of the tenants of 425 East
9th st. in forcing the powerful Emf
grant Industrial Savings Bank to back
down on it's attempt to evict Cyril Briggs
and enforce racial segregation in its 9Th
st. Tenement house is model for workers every
where in the struggle against jirn-crowism.
The promptness with which these worker tenants
and thousands of workers throughout the city mo-
blized their forces to repe this jm-crow attack on
the Negro masses and the growing unity of Negro
and white workers is Of the most inspiring
chapters in this period of rising revolutionary
struggles by the tormented toiling population
against their oppressors.
The white workers, defending Comrade Briggs
and the right Of the Negro workers to secure decent
living conditions, struck a blow not only against
segregation but against the defeatist theory of the
Negro refor1nist leaders that the white workers
cannot be won over to the defense of the Negro
masses against the attacks Of jinl-crow capitalism.
The example afforded by the worker tenants Of
425 East 9Th st. of militant working class unity and
successful struggle against segregation and jim
crowism stands out in sharp contrast to the traitor
our program Of servile submission to segregation
enunciated by DR.. Du Bois of the National Asso-
citation for the Advancement Of Colored People, in
the April Crisis" DR.. Du Bots abjectly declares
that the Negro masses must adjust themselves to
more or less active segregation and acquiescence
in it," How significant that the policies of the
reformist agents of capitalism always fit in SO neatly
with the increased offensive of the capitalist class
Du Bots arguments coincide not only with the de-
mands of American capitalism for intensified ex-
ploitation and persecution of the Negro masses but
with the needs of the upper strata OF Negro land
lords and business men. This Is clearly expressed
in Du Bots arguments for jinl-crow Negro eco
nomy and in the statement by the Pittsburgh
Courier unofficial organ of the N A. A. O. p that
I'VE must make segregation pay
Comrade Briggs, refusing to submit to Segrega-
ton, and the white workers rallyng to his defense
and waging successful struggle against the Emil
grant Industrial Savings Bank, demonstrated the
effectiveness of mass pressure the institutions
Of capitalism and the correctness Of the Communist
program for relentless struggle of white and Negro
workers against all forms of oppression and per-
secution OF the Negro masses; OF the possibility of
ralying the white workers to revolutionary defense
of the oppressed Negro masses.
The Communists who led this struggle to a VIC
torious conclusion would be derelct in their duties
to the Negro masses and the working class how
ever, if they now rested upon their laurels The
victory must be utilized to broaden out the mass
light against segregation and other forms of Negro
oppression The proposal of the House Committee
to form provisional committee against segregation
should be carried through Immediately with the
support Of all workng-class organizations in the
city Every effort should be made to popularize the
victory and at the time to clarity new Sec
tons of the white workers the necessity of fight
ing for the rights of the Negro masses. The en-
thusiastic response of the workers throughout the
city in defense Of Comrade Briggs should be utilized
to build the broadest possible united front of work
ers and all elements opposed to segregation Jim
crowism' lynch terror and other attacks on the
Negro people