davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
sTRAIGHTEN THE RECORD

One of the most fascinating studies known to mar
is the study of his own history, for often may be
found there promise for the future This is equally
true of races In the last two decades the history OF
the American Negro has become an increasingly I'M
portant scholarly pursuit. Great impetus has been
given Negro studies by our own scholars among
whom are such men as Carter Woodson and DIR.
Burghardt Dubois.
One of the significant revelations of historical re-
search in recent years has been the fact OF widespread
revolt by isolated Negro groups during slavery 1t
an established fact that the American Negro fought
for his freedom and struck terror among the slave
holders despite the terrible odds against him. We
did not take slavery lying down, Notwithstanding the
popular notion that the Negro was always an easy
going, accomplishing soul, with a laugh on his lips
and song in his heart.
The student Negro history today however,
has serious barrier in the woefu lack of primary
sources for sound research. Authorities are con-
WINGED that great wealth of historical material of
paramount Importance to our history lies hidden or
forgotten in the homes and libraries of hundreds of
people throughout the land. Here in Michigan which
was the center of unusual abolitonist activity and
a terminus for the famous Underground Railroad
there are without question many documents and man.
uscripts which should be made public
An organized search for this material in Michi-
gan has been instituted by the Michigan Historical
Records Survey. Many Illuminating items have al
ready been uncovered We have been informed that
efforts to publish some of the findings of this survey
are contemplated and sponsors who will defray
fraction of the cost of publication are being sought
A sponsorship committee has been organized and an
appeal to all of our citizens for aid is being made
Certainly we cannot recommend a greater invest
ment for those who can. contribute. The part our
forefathers played in the moulding of this nation
has too long been neglected They have been ignored
in many instances because of the scarcity of au-
thentic source material concerning their work and
progress. Here we have opportunity to do great
and lasting good Let help to straighten out the
record and debunk the pack of lies about our past
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
-BOOK-REVIEW

-.p,,,-e s,,.,,,,-,,--i, ~ t,4-,,-..- tt.--
N se'' " HiSpe'" iiuN-
ley Harper and Brothers q.
New York City 1889 $3.50
Reviewed by Gertrude Martin
In .po5 S,ra,a...r NJ. nj.
mas eohoiheo the interest OIL novel
with a background Of knowledge of
native character and customs which
made bor h,oL -, A,ri... ne. -
-,
Unusual ohe' Inc coming OF Ihe
white mans culture to Africa and
us effect on the old ways Of life
among the tribes is told in a story
full OF pathos and humor. excite
ment and suspense.
Fhe-eeek divided into three
sections dealing with the brothers.
Muthengi and Matte, and also
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
THE writer's thoughts do necessarily represent the views
and opinions Of this paper.

means the typical Negro wool
though it is not straight like thai
Of the ancient Egyptians, but kinky
and falling into ringlets. The skin
color. even among the pre-bred
Fullahs. shows some considerable
degree OF variation" Another quo
tation follows: The Fullahs are in
dustrious and inclined to trade;
they work iron and silver. manu-
facture with great nestness articles
in wood and leather, and weave
various durable fabrics. They are
by far the most intelligent OF the
inhabitants of the Sudan, and have,
besides mosques. schools in almost
all their towns"
We shall continue these citations
IN our next installment.
NEGRO HISTORY CLASSES, un-
der the auspices Of the Negro Ma
tionalist Society, are being con-
Quoted personally by Atty. Ramon
A. Martinez, every Monday night at
s o'clock, at the Y.M.C.Aa on Eiir-
abeth near 81. Antoine. No admis-
sion charge. The last period of the
evening will be dedicated to a round
table conference on current events,
including the present European war,
and how 1t may affect the Negro
world. Everybody Is invited.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
Inkster, Mich.
FIRST BAPTIST

Sunday morning, pastor, Rev. A
L. Merritt spoke from the subject,
"lhe Fiery Trials of a Christian
Life" Peter 4: 1917. During his
discourse he said that There is no
disgrace when one suffers for Christ,
as ones willingness to suffer makes
one nearer the cross"
Mrs. Walker, a former worker OF
First Baptist, who is now a resident
of Florida. was guest Of the morn
ing services. DR.. B. A. Milton, local
physician has become a regular at
tendant.
A splendid B.Y.P.U. service was
conducted Sunday afternoon at
which many young people gathered.
Trustee Columbus Thompson and
Woodrow Brown, two relatively
young trustees in this vicinity, are
doing remarkable work as treasury
and secretary of the church. Rev.
Merritt encourages the activities of
youths and the progress which they
are showing is unsurpassed.
Mrs. Minnie Walker, a faithful
member Of First Baptist, is recover
ing splendidly from a recent illness.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
FAR EAST
RI EWS
By JESSIE McGILL

Masses at Sacred Heart church,
were well attended last Sunday
morning. Father Theifels sang the
1880 mass and delivered the sermon
while Father Schills sang the $50
high mass.
Sunday which was the eighteenth
Sunday after Pentecost, the Epistle
was taken from I Cor. l, 40; and
the Gospel from 81. Matt Q, l-S.
Father chose for his text the Sac
rament Of Confirmation which was
beautifully illustrated for those who
are preparing for confirmation.
As this was the first Sunday in
Oeteber,-eo communion admin
istered to Christian mothers.
This being the month Of the Holy
Rosary, everyone should recite the
Rosary with the family twice daily.
Friday first Friday in October,
holy hour is observed at 7:30 a. m.
with confession on Thursday.
Daily lessons for the week: Let
US read more Of Gods words: From
ST. Mark 4:23; Hebrew 1887: st.
Luke 6:37; Saturday, Holy Rosary,
Ruth and Naomi should be the daily
thought for the month.
Devotion to Mother of Perpetual
help is held on Tuesday evening at
1870. More are urged to attend, and
bring your non-Catholic friendl;
with YOU. Instructions after devoA
ton in the school hall.
On the second Sunday, which will
next Sunday, Holy Name Men
and Boys will 60 to communion in
a body. The business meeting will
follow in the school hall. Let 100
men strong be present for commu-
.nion. Boy Scouts will be in uniforms
and men and boys will occupy the
centre aisle.
Special prayers for worlds peace
were offered after benediction.
Remember the poor box at the
door as some have to be less fortu-
nate and let us also remember that
it is more blessed to give than to
receive" The poor we have always
with US.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07

in the Motor City? Slim says that
she is pipkin; why not bring her
over with you when you come. We
read where she and you visited To-
!edo few blacks back. What
is her name, is it STILL Pauline
Braziel? Is the announcement Of
your engagement authentic as yet?
Good luck AL Roman, and also to
you Miss Braziel.
We understand that an article in
this column two weeks ago. dis
pleased certain parties. -. VIII
check up on details learned after
that issue and will print the facts
as they appear. You can look
Tor all events paramount to the
people as a Whole 70 come foftn
and spade will be called a spade
Charles Williams has been Cas-
anovlng on @ T., so we're told. is
1t still the little yellow Basket
down Ypsrtautt way? Told you we
would catch up with you Ell. what?
Why do all the boys try to date
up the good-looking waitress at the
local beerery? Can it be that her
rep has been so well established?
We sure would like to know.
Yowsuhl Yowsuh!
PERSONAL: To Everett Harris
A mans word is as good as his bond
we want to remind you that in the
dim past you once promised u,
something, do you remember? Wher
can we expect it, in the very neal
future?
Many heartfelt thanks for re.
membering my birthday, P. B. I
makes me feel good to know tina
someone remembered. Talk
ing about birthdays and how old 8
I person gets reminds me now tina
The threat Of war is in the air. II,
surprising how many men arc ad
hitting their age to be more thar
what the draft would call for il
the event we entered the conflic,
Well, that gives US younj
bucks chance now, Ell girls?
May we give a nod 10 Marquit,
Mendenhall, Slim Watkins latest
er, ali. shall we say conquest?
Salutations to Dolores Knox
Willy Pryce, Cleo Franklin. Mozell,
Keaton. Lucille Steele lis that Kaye
Steel affair going to pop up again
Ruby and John Arlington, and I,
many more. the list being cut shor
this week because Of a contribution
we want you readers 10 read. tn,
writer Of this tale wants 10 re
main anonymous copying afte
me?) so hero It's folks. This stor,
being brought 70 mind becaus
hunting season has opened up -oi
---------- --,-sieets -t-.-tall -ux- Jus
. where this event was supposed 4
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07

have happened, but now. on with
the story
THE STORY
While still in my early teens, I
was a member Of that honorable
group Of boys. the Boy Scouts Of
America, and one day while we
were practicing wig wagging mes
sages my setter pup whom always
took with me on hikes. and so
forth, seemed interested in our work
. Not paying much attention to
him we kept praetieing day in and
day out until we were letter per-
feet.
That fall, in the hunting season,
| decided to try out my dog on
birds. We were going through a
section of shrubbery, underbrush
and small pines, the dog about 500
feet ahead Of me, trailing back and
fourth.
Suddenly the dog stopped. his
tail straight up in the air. Then
the tail began to move. 1t was wig
wagging. This was the message the
faithful and intelligent dog wig
wagged back to me:
Have you any buckshots? II not
get the h out OF here. There's
a big brown bear just ahead and
he's coming your way"
That folks takes the brass ring
for this week. and I'll be seeing you
next week. | hope. ! hope. hope
I. 50 long, everybody.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07

was interested and somewhat
amused at the stories in last week S
Negro newspapers about the res
ignation Of Snow Grigsby as chair
man of the Civic Rights committee.
According TO the press, Grigsby's
resignation was at the behest Of the
postal authorities.
As one who has closely followed
Mr.. Grigsby's activities as chairman
of the Civic Rights committee, and
who has supported his work in the
past, ask Why all the fanfare
about Grigsby's resignation? Can
it be that those ministers and mem
bers Of the Civic Rights committee
are unaware OF the post office regu-
lations or the Hatch law. recently
passed by Congress, which express
ly, forbids political activities by
post office and federal government
employees? Or could it be that
these well-meaning protestants in
Grigsby's behalf are ignorant of
Grigsby's political activities?
The whole controversy boils down
to just one issue: Was Grigsby or
was he not engaged in political act
ivities? Was he a political leader
or a civic leader?
l think we can all agree that the
program Of the Civic Rights COM
mittee is laudatory and that it has
done some very commendable work.
Its expressed purposes are Of a
civic nature, rather than political.
The Civic Rights committee drew
support from the Negro public be-
cause they believed that Grigsby
and other members of the commit
tee had no personal axes TO grind.
White a civic organization seeks
gains for the people and not for its
members, a political organization,
though it may seek gains for the
people as a whole. insists that its
members must first get the bene-
fits If the gains. Therein lies the
difference.
Getting back TO Snow Grigsby it
looks as If human frailties entered
in his work do not wish to be
unkind to Grigsby. He is a fine
young man whom have known for
several years and personally like
But believe Grigsby has veered
from the line Of the Civic Rights
committee-perhaps without their
Acknowledgement played a subtle
hand of personal politics.
For several years I had heard
such accusations about Grigsby
made by Negro politicians, but ]
had discounted such talk as being
inspired by personal Jealousy. Ir
short, | had given Grigsby the
benefit OF the doubt
What opened my eyes 10 Grigs.
by's political activities was the las
fall election for governor. GrigsbS
gave large meeting at ST. Stephens
AM.E. church on the west side
under the auspices OF the Civit
Rights committee. Rev. Hodges
from Cleveland. was billed as the
main speaker. Rev. Hodges was 1
speaker for the Republican Ma
tional committee.
The Rev Hodges purpose fol
speaking in Detroit. was to defea
Governor Frank Murphy and wa
clear to Negro Democratic lead
ers when the following subjec'
was announced as the one upor
which he would speak: which 4
the most beneficial TO Negroes
STATE administration employing
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
NORTHWEST
DIET ROIT
BY J. C. BRYANT

by j. I. bhthNI
Visiting
Willie Burnett OF Atlanta. Ga.
was the recent guest OF his mother
Mrs. Anna Burnett OF Northlawa
avenue. and Mr.. and Mrs. LovetI
Dudley OF Wisconsin avenue.
Mrs. Pearl Bryant and Mrs. Rosa
Warren were the house guests OF
Mrs. L. McGrift OF Roselawn street
last week.
Mr.. and Mrs. o. Virgins were the
week end guests OF their mother
and mother-in-law of Dewey stree,
in Flint, Mich.
Rev. R. Anderson Of New York
City is the guest OF Rev. C. L, An
derson and his lovely wife of Ken
lucky avenue.
Returns
Mrs. D, Parish OF Huntington, W.
a., returned home last week after
four weeks visit with her brother
and sister n-law, Mr.. and Mrs. H.
Hudson of Roselawn street
Dinner Guest
Miss Elise jenkins, who is home
on a three weeks vacation after
graduating from the West Virginia
Nurses college, was the dinner
guest of Rev, and Mrs. R. v, Davis
of Wyoming street last Saturday
night. Ernestine Perkins was pres
.ent. Miss jenkins Will return to
her Alma Mater, and will accept an
appointment as a supervisor
Parents
Mr.. and Mrs. Luther Carter OF
Garden Lane street are the proud
parents of a seven and half pound
baby girl,
Sponsors Party
The Willing Workers club spon-
sored a party last Monday, October
2, al the home OF Mrs, Elwood Die
kens.
Shower
A lovely shower was given at
the home of Mrs. Arthur Hillon Of
Majestic street last week honoring
Miss Letitia Nall, Games were fol-
lowed by refreshments.
Visiting
Mrs. Jessie Bonds Of Huston street
had as their guests last Sunday, Re-.
and Mrs. Heat of Wisconsin. Rev
Heath is pastor Of First Baptist
church there; Mrs. S. A. Lewis of
Ilene street, Mrs. Lula Syms of Ohio
street, and Mrs. C. Pyles also of
Ilene street.
HOnored
Miss Essie Mae Hines was hon
ored last Friday, September q, at
a surprise birthday party given by
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs, Hines of
Parkside avenue.
Mrs. |. B. Hines, Mrs. Winnie
Smith, and Mrs. ]. Blackburn were
to more than twenty-five
guests.
Little Miss Hines was the recip-
lent Of many lovely gifts.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07

should find many readers on either
or both counts.
!: = 4
Haiti, the Calvary Of a Soldier"
by Colonel D. p. Calixte Wen
dell Malliet and Company. Publish
ers New York City 1899
e.. SIPS 1875 pg
Colonel Calixte, former commaA-
dant of the Garde d'Haiti tHaitialp,
army presents his case to the pub
lie IN this small volume. After hold
ing his high military position from
the emo of the American Occupa-
ton Of the island he was forced
to resign IN 1888. He accuse Pres
ldent Vincent of dictatorial govern
ment- and-of being unduly influ-
enced by clique Of government
officials. Col Calixte denies en-
phaiically the charge Of conspiracy
against the government which was
responsible for his custer. Fora
Male Hurston in her book about
Haiti, Tell My Horse" praises Col
cnel Calixte and describes many Of
the same abuses which he mem.
tons.
Whatever the merits Of his case,
It seems clear that Colonel Calixte
was forced to resign his post. was
Immediately given a made-to-order
diplomatic post in France for which
he was in no way trained. and was
month later ordered back to Haiti
to stand trial on the grounds ct
lormenting conspiracy. He left
France but stopped in New York
assured that he would find no jus
lice in the present Haitian set-up
II was in New YORK that he wrote
his account Of his experience. His
book is well worth reading for ones
utl ok on tn life and government.
] Of the SPECIALIZED Black Republic. !
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
WG, THO negro
By WIN. L. SHERRlLL
President Afro-Amercan Institute and Federated
fireside Groups

world goes on because of their stout
hearts and brawny arms.
The Exclusive sets" "Aristo-
Gratis" "Intellectuals." feel them
selves above the Common Folks"
To them the common herd is
simply something that must be toll
Grated at times but which most Of
the time must be used and avoided.
The select folks care little for the
heartbeats of the ordinary man.
Be not deceived by the shoddy
claims of the "Highbrows," the
Elect" the High Born" princes,
dukes, presidents and dietators.
Humanitys real princes are found
in the multitudes. The soul of man.
kind is located in the bosom Of the
worlds common folk.
THE HEART OF. HUMANITY
Those who would appeal to the
heart of humanity must speak to
the multitudes.
Ghandi is India's greatest leader
because his message unchains the
soul of the masses. Had he ad-
dressed his message to the classes
Of India. the great Indian move
ment would have been "still-born."
The Chosen Few" the Elect"
were never fit for a great job. They
are too little. narrow and selfish to
serve any but themselves. The puny,
bony, devitalized body of aris-
tocracy has never been able to give
birth to great spiritual urge. The
strong super-energized body Of the
masses has always mothered hui
manity's mightiest movements.
Those who would save the Negro
must make their appeals 10 masses
of the Race and shape a program
which includes the least amongst
us. Let US not underrate the COM
mon Negro. In his midst is the only
material with which we can build.
His is the only spirit amongst us
that is attuned He is closest to ma
ture and closest to God.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
Letters To The Editor
few hundred Negroes or an admin
istration friendly to industry en-
ploying thousands of Negroes"


lie" hunured negroes or an admin
istration friendly to industry en-
ploying thousands of Negroes"
Tho ironIication horo n,a. ala.
" was eIeai'
DN' Il II "asii eledr 10 some' heV'
Hodges made it clear by telling the
people IN a round about way that
they should support Fitzgerald for
governor instead Of Murphy.
l am sure many readers will re-
call the outrages incident that &C.
Cured last winter at Ebenezer A.
NE church where the Rev Adam
Powell Of New York spoke. What
occurred was shocking.
Snow Grigsby as usual was pre-
siding as chairman. Donald Mar
shall, Negro personnel assistant at
Ford's. spoke after the noted Rev
Powell. And 10, and behold, there
stood Marshall scolding the Ne
groes who had voted for Frank
Murphy. and Prosecutor Duncan
McCrea who was opposed by the
Ford interests during the fall cleo
ton and saying that those people
who went contrary to the Ford wish
es should not look to Ford for
employment.
That Marshall was put on the pro.
gram for that purpose seems clear,
for Grigsby made no effort to stop
him or to reprove him when he had
concluded.
But Rev. Adam Powell the out
of-town guest speaker. EXPRESSED
bitter resentment after the meeting
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07

o''' VI W. -
p, $50
.iO'i oi'N 'e's 80
'i'i va - =,
- 'Pi'e VI '''S
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07


States, and their
great variance in
physical eharac-
terstics. do not
seem to support
this theory. and
we are inclined
10 believe that
in their inter-
tribal wars, Ne
groes Of a ! !
types and de-
scriptions were
ght to
America. T h e
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07

/ lllNlllstlNGSJ We
common folk still believe their
doubtful claims. Conscious Of our
own ignobility, yet smitten with
the love Of nobleness, we insist on
believing that the fellow out front
or the fellow upstairs must be noble
simply because somebody must be
and we feel that we, ourselves are
too lowly to be.
-Butwe arc wrong The only real
nobility to be found is in the COM
mon people of the world Glory,
honor sympathy sacrifice, love,
forgiveness, understanding. Strength,
courage, devotion, patriotism-these
abide not in the places Of the high
and mighty-not on the throne, not
with the Exclusive Few" but in
the hearts Of we multitude who see
and feel.
EGOTISTIC ASSES
The "intellectuals" often speak Of
literature for the few-stuff the
masses cannot understand. They
brand anything which the masses
embrace as mediocre. That leader
ship which appeals to the masses is
classed ignorant because the mass
es are supposed TO be ignorant. The
best answer that can be given these
egotistic asses is the case of Jesus
His is a most profound philosophy
yet 1t was fishermen-the crowds,
the multitudes which heard and
understood. The intellectual" the
elect" had Him crucifed. Socrates
one of the worlds greatest philoso-
piers taught the crowds in the
streets and market places. The
tradesman and prostitute under
stood him. When the message you
have for the world is so profound
that none can appreciate it. your
idea needs examining. If Jesus came
to Detroit today, the most likely
places to find Him would belfast
/ ings street St Antoine in Paradise
Valley or Black Bottom-out where
there is life, struggle and adventure
NEGRO LEADERSHIP
The saving grace of the world is
locked in the bosom of the common
people. II the Negro is to be saved
from his present woes; il his future
as a people is to be secured, it will
be accomplished through the organ
lied effort OF the common Negro
II the Race is to have that leader
ship which sees our real needs viii
step boldly to the front and figh'
uncompromisingly to accomplish
them, that leadership must be raised
from the ranks OF the common
people.
COMMON PEOPLE
The world must have needed
them because God made so many
Common people-they are every
where present; not priests. dukes
presidents. kings; not the "intellec
tuals." the high born" the wei
bred" the select few"-"Bil
Shots" but just plain, ordinary
everyday folk.
Without these, what would thil
old world do? It is they who supply
the touch Of life to things. It is they
who do the work Of the world. Thu
paths Of progress have been fer
tilted with their blood. They havt
D a.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
(Reprinted by Request)
THE "EXCLUSINE FEW

Too long-We, the common Negro,
the ordinary Negro have sat back
waiting for the uncommon Negro,
the extraordinary Negro to lead us
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
WHO ARE WE, THE NEGRor


Some writers say that most OF the
Negroes brought to the United
States were from the Mandingo
stock. The various types OF the
blacklist Negroes in the United
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-10-07
"A F Il ICA-
VIEWS and REVIEWS
BY RAMON A. MARITIME.

Founder Of the Negro Nationalist Movement and Originator
Of the Greater Liberia Plan in Congress