The Omaha guide., 1937-03-06
An Echo
From Ny Den
By S. E Gilbert


As | sit here in my DEN" with
pen in hand, meditating, as it were
inspired by the encouraging thou
ght that from the walls of Oma-
has institutions of knowledge come
this month many Negro youth who
in accordance to the wonderful re-
cord made by them in their res
pective schools are destined to make
a mark in life that which shall make
all proud, | write. The Omaha Guide
wishes to congratulate these men
and women of tomorrow, youth
who undoubtedly look upon edu-
cation; as the one way out. Any
one who would attempt to answer
the posed question would appear
rather presumptuous, and yet l am
forced to agree with the poet who
said: "For every evil under the
sun, there is a remedy or there is
none, If there is one try to find it,
if there is none never mind it."
In my humble opinion, education
is the panacea for our racial ills.
By education l do not mean mas
terry of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew,
but rather that training of the
heart, head and hand which will
fit an individual for useful and
happy living.
The Negro race, like other races,
is composed of individuals, and the
intelligence of the masses of our
people, rather than that of the
more fortunate few, will be the
yard stick by which the worth of
the entire group will always be
measured.
Education for the masses of the
black Americans is the way out be-
cause ID the intelligent man re-
cognizes the Importance of being
a citizen, keeping himself armed
at all times with that most effec-
tive of all weapons-the ballot. ~
The intelligent mar now realizes
that the Negro purchasing power is
tremendous force in breaking down
economic barriers and will use
this power to a good advantage.
Furthermore, he is aware of the
fact that the owning and efficient
operation of various businesses
will unlock the door to a greater
economic freedom (3) The intelli-
gent man will have some know
ledge of the achievements of his
forebearers, consequently he will
have not only a just pride in the
accomplishments of the members
of his race, but q well grounded
fat in the future triumphs. (4)
The educated MIN should be a
cooperative being. Racial and IN
terracial ~co-operation will char
acterize him. And (5) education
should cause one to interpret more
clearly the purpose and design of
the Creator and to live closer to
Him.
There can be no real freedom
for black Americans until the
masses have been liberated from
the throes of ignorance, that breed
err of crime, superstition, envy,
hatred and jealousy.
To the men and ONE of today,
I say, that the men and women OF
toorrow stand patiently by, asking
that you do your part in opening
the of economic freedom.
Thus / commend to you to dedicate
your lives to their getting an edu-
cation, an education that trains the
heart, head and hand, thereby pre-
pairing them to be able to accept
that inevitable opportunity that
comes to all who r prepared. l
further commend that you turn
your vast spending power into the
avenue that will build places in
which your boy and girl may find
an economic outlet, in doing this
YOU shall have made it possible for
the future citizens of u race to
take their rightful place as Amer
lean citizens.