The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-10-14
-
Between
@Lines
1Isrz
beo (;ofd0n 3. Hant
BIRTH CONTROL AND EARTH
CONTROL

For the past two years have
been opposing the doctrine OF
birth control. My position was de-
termined by the ultimate considera-
tons which should surround any
definite commitment on the matter.
Needless 10 say that wherever l
have dared to lift my voice against
the prevailing birth-control dogma
have been branded as sociolo-
gical and economic hereto. Strange
~ enough my points against birth
control have TO whore been sue
cessfully controverted.
We live in a world that Is sparse
~ peoplcd everything considered.
This earth could easily support
double rs present population. The
statement has been made that all
the human beings IN the world
could be placed or Long Island
and enough food produced in Texas
10 feed the entire lot However
Extravaganza such statement may
appear the fact remains that the
real trouble about food and raj
mcnt in this world Is not The in
capacity ~ the earth TO produce
II. ror the Incapacity Of man TO cf-
hcicntly plan fulfilled economy
The real trouble is IN our faulty
methods OF distribution. II tho trou-
bic then is distribution we do not
help matters by tampcring with the
biological balance NJ mankind as
in the case whom we practice birth
control
We shall never attain unto So
cial and economic health while we
treat symptoms and let the causes
remain Every preachment advocat-
ing birth control while the weight
icr matters OF distribution are neg
lected Is q threat TO the ultimate
survival ~ mankind Even II birth
control is posted as merely
soothing portion for our deep
seated economic and social dis
orders. It does not become the
menace It might when II Is re-
garded as an ideal objective OF hui
man purpose
Jesus said the neck shall in
hcrit the earth. II can be added
with equal truth that the prolific
races and nations will also Inherit
the earth. The argument Is often
made. what Is better ten births and
five deaths? or FIVE births and no
deaths? The answer is. wherever
populations grow rapidly with n
high death rate under hard circum-
Stances. nature develops through
natural selection tough-nhered
people physically Wherever hu-
mans or lower animals are brought
M under too favorable conditions
there Is always tho probability OF a
softncss nhat too Invariably ac-
COMPANIES coddling. when tho Nc
Sro's death rate was high ard his
birth raic high. the physical
stamina OF The race was bottor than
now and this Is true Of the whites
81 early times II would be fine FOR
mankind 20 have another two bill
lion Inhabitants upon the earth with
a corscqucnt drop in the standard
OF living
In tho long run physical tough
ness is the only basis for survival
II is easy TO see how and why the
privileged classes would plead for
birth control and il is easy to sec
why advocates OF white supremacy
would advocate IT, But for poor
Negroes there is not one good sup
porting argument II ultimate con-
sidcrations are borne in mind. The
hope OF the poor In matters OF sur
vival reside In the rapid rate at
which they multiply. There is no
hope for the poor who practice
birth control and controlled birth
among the nations or within the
nations Is no proof that distribution
will he adjusted equitabIy Disiri-
button is largely q matter of morals
and the attack should bc made here
and not In the field OF biology.
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