The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-03-25

STRENGTH OR STRATEGY


country few years ago. he saw
the overt and covert operations Of
race prejudice and delivered him
self thus: Race prejudice is the
worst thing in the life OF mankind
today speak deliberately" With
this assertion Wells corroborated
the experience OF the Negro race
the world over. Prejudice is a can
Ger that is eating away the vi,als
OF mankind Like poison in the
blood stream. 1t breaks out and
although great mischief is done by
this breaking out" greater harm
Is done when IL can hide its sub
lie deyastations. The breaking
out while at times discomforting
and mayhap embarrassing, serves
10 draw attention 10 condition
that must be remedied II the we'll
being OF the organism is 10 be pre-
served.
Prejudice has really and truly
broken out: In Germany against
Jews: but the world knows now as
never before what a dangerous
thing race prejudice is. The foes
OF prejudice may well grid them
selves for battle unto death II
this world is 10 be spared other
hellish manifestations such as dis
grace Germany in particular and
in general The perse-
cution OF the Jews and the barring
OF Marian Anderson from the Con-
stiiution hall in Washington are
parts OF the same phenomenon. The
in Berlin is complement
Iary TO the prejudice in Washing
ton. Neither is blackcr or more
hellish than The other. Both car
~ portenis OF the social and eco
monte damnation OF minority
groups.
The Marian Anderson incident
has brought into the limelight OF
our nation a serious situation.
that should he exploited TO
rs fullest. II has unmssked Wash
ngton as has not been done be-
tore. In Richmond. Va. the capitol
u the Confederacy. Miss Anderson
was received with open hearts and
arms by all races in the great Mos
que The South's finest theatre. In
Washington. the capital OF the ma
lion. she Is rejected. The shame
n the nation centers about Wash
ng'on. Mra. Roosevelt as usual
nd the big thing and resigned her
membership In the OAR. Whether
democrats or republicans. Roose-
vents are big people and do things |
n big way.
Mrs. Roosevelts resign alton
brew the OAR on The defensive |
come the explanation"
&c. II is TO be regretted that Miss
anderson is going to appear In
Washington al all. In such situa- |
ion It Is difficult 10 choose. but a |
'asual inspection OF the matter
shows that the same of the situa- |
ion would be sccentuated IL Miss |
would stay out Of Wash |
nglon The shame then OF the ma
IONS capital could stand out in
bold relief In that this great Amer
can artist had been heard
throughout the world hut not in
ier own nations capital. This
would have thrown the prejudice OF
ne situation in bold relief. In 9TH
n words the world would longer
'ememher that Marian Anderson
las never appeared in her own ma
ION > capital than that she appear
u there under second rate cir
II MISS Anderson appears in
Washington the matter Will no
smoothed over" il she shakes the
lust OF Washington from her feet
would be a living witness against
Washington before the great judr-
nent bar OF history and the great
White throne OF public opinion
me managers OF Miss Anderson
ught to know that pushing tho
reat artist in under unfavorable
circumstances would not be nearly
o effective as keeping her away
together. In other words Miss
anderson can AFFORD 10 STAY awav
rom Washington better Than
Washington can afford to forero
ne honor Of her visit The honor
Washington's and not Miss An.
erson's alone as her promoters
Gem TO infer. Marian Anderson
oes not have 10 elbow her wav
any more. and II is unfortunate |
nat her promoters think other
use. Why not let Miss Anderson
Jay away and let the cultural
ore run rather than heal Il so soon
'l'h somewhat untimely appear
nee.
a recital In the Central high I
'hool Is only a little less unfortu-
ate than the lawn appearance be- /
IRE Constitution hall. To have an |
cared on the lawn might have
Town strength, to have hidden I
'asninston a long farewell would q
i've been the more effective .,r.,