The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-11-11


came ON Tuesday last, a dismal rainy
day. Some claim that the old ink that
In, prevailed since April 30, the open
pe dav, held on to the last ditch. How
ever | tried to be loyal all the way, 50
waded in the water to look my last
look at the great spectacle.
Bill Robinson and his Hot Mikado"
closed a very successful engagement, at
the Hall of Music, and moved to the
Boston Opera House Nov. 6.
WHY | LIKE HARLEM
The old saying I'D rather be lamp
post in New York than the Mayor of
Georgia" is considered a silly notion
to many living elsewhere. 1t spells the
READ answer to the problem-just why
,o many people live here on Il meager
existence, rather than another place
in plenty. Well, as it happens, [ am
one of those fools, if YOU want to call
# that way.
1t is a matter of mcclure, Just how
long one must live in a city to call it
home. Whatever it may be, | have
lived here longer than any other place,
that is, the greater part of my life, and
! think | have a good claim upon New
York. TO say it is home to me.
During my recent 66 days voyage to
lIawmi. the brief absence, although a
delightful vacation, full Of thrills and
curiosity. brought home to me the fact
definitely, that | wouldn't swap Harlem
for any other place to live at any price
I'iI readily admit that | saw many
places that appeared to me easy prey
for. a go-gcttpr full Of ambitious IDEAS
a> We all strive to be, but there's nc
substitute for what one considers his
ideal home. There's no alternative
when one has adjusted himself to that
certain ideal, and no satisfaction is
real other than that ideal.
New York. to me has Il little bit OF
everything 10 be found any other place
in the world To bring it closer home
to Won and me, Harlem, as | have
termed IT. IN the mast head of my col
mn, when it comes to referring to the
coorcd person, is the Race Capital OF
the Nation and the world.
People from everywhere come here
and boast of the great things they anC
rhrm people at home have, but they
never stop to consider the many great
ihngs they don't have that we have, OF
how many more Of us there are to enjoy
he things We have. And too, how
many there are in other places who have
-o little to enjoy, in life, even when
'icE have so much more than we have.
One never misses what he doesn't
lave, but everywhere | went | missed
most everything we have in Harlem. |
missed the people. People elsewhere
appeared as though they did not take
ME seriously, as we do in Harlem
they looked as if it was lust a matter
OF fact. Sophisticated Harlem is al
ways gong places, and doing things
mere IS always definite objective in
hic-to get somewhere. And that to
me Is the very essence in life itself
Most everybody of consequence in
'I5'IIein has Il pedigree; that is, he has
zone something great some time in his
NE, regardless Of his present status.
mat S what like about Harlem.
Everybody tries hard to be somebody,
whether or not he reaches the goal. In
inns way, things always happen. Even
ST. one IS up today and down tomor-
row. everyone has his day-yours or
mI4e. 1t is indeed dramatic picture
/" look back over the horizon and see
."' great changes in the lives of the
people of Harlem.
WAR CLOUDS