davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23

In each succeeding book Miss
.Hurston shows the facility with
which she can write on the very
different subjects which she chooses
but this same facility does not take
the place Of a certain quality which
seems missing at times from her
work. This quality is hard TO de-
fine; perhaps it is that too little
Of the author is felt in her work,
a lack OF depth, a certain flippancy
of treatment might explain it. In
her race, Miss Hurston is unexcelled
as a writer in skill and output
There are several young writer's who
show promise but as yet Miss Hurs-
ton leads the field. In spite OF
this. as we have tried 70 explain
above, her work leaves something
to be desired before she attains the
stature as a writer which might be
hers.
Moses, Man OF the Mountain" in
concept is much like Green Pas
lures" an attempt to treat religion
as seen through the eyes of Ne
groes. Miss Hurston has chosen to
deal with the life Of Moses from
his birth until he has led the He
orews into the Promised Land As
the blurb on the jacket states, Moses
is portrayed as the "voodoo man
OF the Bible" He is schooled by
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
A GREAT SOUL

A man of Negro descent who lived three hundred
years ago provides the occasion for official celebration
in Latin America and particularly in Peru and is the
Patron of Social Justice for that nation On the third
of last month the president of the Republic issued
governmental decree commemorating the Third Cen
tenary of the death of Blessed Martin de PORES,
colored Catholic priest. Born of mixed parents, in
poverty, Blessed Martin de PORES dedicated his life
to the upft of the downtrodden and to the practical
improvement of the society of which he was part
No finer testimonial can be given the greatness of
his abors than that now three hundred years after
his DEATH he is the object of veneration throughout
his nation.
We reprint in part the official decree issued by the
President of Peru last month:
u. Since the Third Centenary of the death of
Blessed Martin de PORES is being celebrated at this
time and since it is the duty of the State to eXalt
the values incarnated in Peru:
50. Since among them, one of the greatest is the
Blessed Martin de PORES not only for excellent vir-
tues solemnly recognized by the Catholic Church, but
also because he is the Precursor in Peru and all
America of works of social service and security on
account of his influence in the foundation of the Col
lege of the Holy Cross destined to protect orphans
and to assure them future;
"3. Since because of his parentage and his charity
for unfortunates of all classes he is the symbol of
interracia fraternity and class solidarity the two
great foundations of national unity;
1--WE decree That Blessed Martin de PORES be
considered Patron and special protector of all works
Of social justice in Peru"
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23


wines and aged WHISTLES. Some will
seek unusual thrills. Some will in
tensify the thrills OF yesterday.
Some will complain when the day
is done that the activities for the
great occasion were productive OF
no new thrill.
The poor will strive 10 provide
themselves with some OF the thrills
and good things which for 1854 days
OF the year they are forced to deny
themselves. While the poorest OF
the poor will fall in line somewhere
outside a church. home, club or
some specified place, to receive gifts
Of sweet charity"
These, our paupers, will march in
review, be photographed for our
dailies, be given chicken. maybe
turkey. a basket OF vegetables
and canned goods and Christmas
will be over. Last year we did the
same thing. Next year the same
performance will be repeated.
Turkey And Slop
Between this Christmas and the
next the poor will scheme. steal.
sell their bodies and play the num-
bers, when they can't get work 10
keep body and soul together so they
can at least be here to answer the
roll call next year. SO they can
-agsin-advertise their poverty and
dependence 10 satisfy the vanity and
esotsm Of those who are lucky and
fortunate.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
BOOK REVIEW

Mentu, a servant in Egypt and after
leaving Egypt becomes the scholar
of Jethro from whom he learns
much. Yet when he comes face to
face with Pharoah on his return to
Egypt and demands that the He
brews be allowed to go out OF Egypt,
Moses does not call on his own
knowledge to impress Pharoah but
depends on God 10 bring about the
plaques which he visits on the Egyp-
tians. In this respect he is simply
the conventional picture OF Moses
rather than a voodoo man Of Ameri-
can Negro conception.
Moses" could be easily drama
tized because from beginning to end
Miss Hurston has made the book
a struggle between the Hebrews
and Egyptians and has given it
dramatic quality which is striking.
There is little reverence here but
a great deal of humor. 1t is a book
which recommends itself for its very
originality and freshness no matter
what may be the readers reaction to
the authors treatment OF traditional
religious matter. Whether Miss
Hurston has interpreted correctly
the American Negroes idea OF Moses
is another question. II is always
difficult to know truly another's
ideas on any subject and thus diff
Guilty is no less when religious mat
tefs are involved. Even though Miss
Hurston is herself Negro. she is
writing here Of the untutored Ne
gro's conception OF Moses.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
HAPPY CHRISTMAS

As we approach another season of celebration Of
the birth of the Christ Child we attempt again to
transcend the petty bothers of our weekday life and
revel in spirit of love and ghtheartedness and I'M
restrained enjoyment If there two sides to the
nature of man, one physical and the other spiritual
this is the season of the spirit. Symboica of the
coming of Christ earth, Christmas oals forth all
those fine attributes which distinguish men from
beasts
As we reflect upon the world events of the year
soon to be concluded it becomes apparent that the
world sorey needs a respt from care and a chance
for retreat into the realm of the spirit. With half
the world at war; we in America cling desperately
to our precious peaee=ft seems that civilized man
has lost his mind and that his madness has driven
him to despair and suicide. Christianity has lost It's
meaning for many millions and rational philoso-
ply of life has been substituted to discipline the spirit
of men. We hear soulsc ry out there is no peace
there is no peace.
There is one Christian principle which we believe
towers above all others in Importance in this moment
of world history the principle of brothery love and
the brotherhood of man. 1t seems that the human
family simply cannot live together in our small world
There is enough feem despite the denials of Hitler
but there is not enough love. We do not need living
space" nearly badly we need love and tolerance
for another In almost every country there Is
racial hatred and active preudices which feed upon
persecution and bloodshed. All of the ills that affect
a nation are traced to the presence of this or that
minority group This is the new logic of nations.
In America we are now witnessing revival of
the Ku Klux Klan and number of other organiza-
lions dedicated to the propagation of i'll faith and
racial hatred. We hearing also that Negroes are
responsible for many of our internal disturbances
along with the Jews This tendency to make scape
goats out of mnortes cannot but result in trouble
for the accuser as well as the accused.
1t is our hope therefore, that as we celebrate the
Christmas season and snatch moment of surcease
from the petty problems of our individual lives we
will drink deep of the Christian spirit and rededicate
ourselves to those principles of love, tolerance and
good will in order that peace will be preserved in our
own country. If we are to remain the bulWark of
western civilization and the torchbearer in the dark,
inscrutabe future, we have no other course.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
UG, THO negro
By WIN. L. SHERRiLL
President. Atro-Americsn Institute and Federated
Firesde Groups

What system! Christmas funds
once a year. Turkey and cranberry
sauce one day in the year. Half
rotten food-slop, the other 1854
days.
Why could not these huge Christ
mas funds running into the hundreds
OF thousands Of dollars, be diverted
into channels that would give the
poor an opportunity TO work the
year around so that they could pro-
vide their own Christmas dinners?
What a humiliation to be COM
PEELED to accept from the rich, nearly
rich and would be rich one square
meal a year and live on husks and
memories for 1854 days while those
who gave sweet charity" stick out
their chests and gloat over their
benefactions.
Feed My Sheep
Christmas charity shows what the
rest OF us can do for each other
when we try. 1t shows that instead
Of letting third Of the population
live on slop and sleep in the streets.
we can provide something every
day for those in need.
The poor need assistance daily
and the churches should lead off
every Monday morning with a cup
OF coffee, roll and when possible
bit of meat and carfare for those
seeking work. Christmas Of all
faiths should contribute their quota
to Feed My Sheep"
This practice would make more
converts for the church and raise
higher the standard OF practical
Christianity than anything else the
church could do.
Housetop Charity .
Sitting on the housetops with band
and cameras to help the poor may
be all right in its way for those
who like it, but bombastic noisy
donors Of Christmas baskets &c,
more out Of it than the needy poor
| wonder il they would do it Il
it did not bring them advertisement.
subscriptions and regulations as
friends Of the poor. The poor toe
often re-usod as a means to an
end. They are exploited by givers
Of charity for the sake of the givers
It was Cicero who said: 1T be.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23


Negroes and whites. sooner or later
the Negro race OF America would
disappear, and there would not be
any more Negroes left TO prosecute,
and all interracial friction would
disappear. and there would not be
mixed that no one could tell who
had Negro blood in him and who
didn't. 1t is false idea and de-
ceiving dream.
II amalgsmation were 10 be al
lowed or even tolerated by public
opinion in this country and mar
riage between the races became
matter OF individual choice. white
people would still choose TO marry
white people, and one in a thousand
couples would be mixed. just as /:
is today; and Negroes would get the
dirty end of the bargain in America,
Just as they do in the West Indies
and other countries where marriages
between whites and blacks are al
lowed and tolerated. The ultimate
result would be, on one hand, mass
Of white people who by choice have
kept themselves always white; and,
IN the other hand mass Of Ne
groes who through Ignorance and
gullibility have allowed themselves
% be converted into a bunch Of
light, brown and black mongrels,
worse than it is today, with the
only difference that mixed-blood
Negroes, whether brown or mulatto.
would constitute a larger proper
ton OF Negroes than the pure
blacks.
Then we would have in America
one Of the most tragic situations
that the race is experiencing in othet,
countries: The Mulatto Problem. Ne
groes would then be split and d.
lided by shades OF color, and the
lighter Negro will look with con-
Tempt and disdain upon his darker
brother To be lighter in shade
would mean TO be better" and
superior" than the darker shaded
Negro.
have seen families split by the
mulatto problem; and. l have known
brothers and sisters who were bitter
enemies and refused 10 speak to
each other during a whole lifetime
because OF differences in color. !
have seen children deny their IA
,Aers and mothers because they were
darker in shade have known mu-
latto mothers who have had bas-
tard child by some white man. kill
that child because it brought into
the world the darker shade Of one
Other ancestors,
| have known mothers to make
distinctions between lighter and
darker children. l have known
black fathers spe--d most OF their
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23

post office this
m orning was
Gro W d e d with
persons mailing
cards, letters and
parcels. Stores
were p q C k e d
with perso n s
buying things 70
give. On Christ
mas day it will
all begin.
The rich will
c e e brate in
style. Some will
have large stores
~ dood fao.d 6pa
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
NORTHWEST
DETROIT


VISITING
Mrs. Theresa Dedbardlaben Of
Montgomery, Ala, is in the city
visiting relatives and friends. At
this writing she is the guest OF her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Reece Young
Of Riverville street. Ferndale.
FRIENDLY EIGHTEEN CLUB
The Friendly Eighteen club met
at the home OF Mr.. and Mrs. A.
Wilson, 20527 1lene street. 1t was
announced that large amount has
been netted.
A banquet followed the business
meeting and a delightful repsst was
served. Meetings will be held be-
ginning the first Saturday in Janu-
airy.
c. Jackson, president; A. Wilson,
treasurer; R. Price, secretary.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
Mrs. Nora Harris entertained at
the round table discussion, Thurs
day evening at the home OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Freeman Of Greenlawn avenue.
Guests OF the evening included: Mrs.
johnson OF Chippawa street; Mrs.
]. Smith. Miss Ores Lee Baker, Har-
ris john Anderson. c. Anderson.
Fletcher Foreman and others.
MT. VERNON IN PROGRAM
The 18th anniversary Of the New
Mt Vernon church was celebrated
Sunday, December II. at the New
Mt Vernon church with Rev. Heath,
pastor OF First Baptist delivering the
sermon.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Mr.. Duncan, a prominent member
of the church. gave an interesting
review OF the Sunday school lesson
at BIS.
The pastor, Rev. c. B. Heath,
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
The writer's thoughts do necessarily represent the views
and opinions Of this paper.

money on their bastard offspring o
white concubine. while their BLACK
legitimate children OF their Lawful
black wives starved. And, so tn,
story goes anywhere that the green
eyed monster OF the mulatto prob.
lem has been allowed TO raise it.
head.
Great Britain, more than any 9TH
er country in the world, has derived
the greatest political profit from
the mulatto problem. Great Britain
has always had the reputation Of
ruling and dominating subject peo-
pie, by creating divisions among the
population TO be subjugated. While
in India. it has fostered the division
u the East Indians by caste and by
religion. in the West Indies it has
succeeded in dividing them by
shades of color. And, anyone who
Is familiar with the color problem
Of the West Indies, knows that Eng
fish governing officials, while they
refuse to mix with mulattoes and
mix-blood Negroes in terms OF social
equals, still they pump into their
silly heads the idea that they are
Setter" than their darker brothers,
and prefer them for positions OF
trust and responsibility and for the
so-esIIed white -cottar--jobs-tuf
course always under some white
mani rather than the darker Me-
groes. This creates in the lighter
Negroes a sense of flattery and color
consciousness, that leads them .
shun the company and association
OF their darker brothers. and TO
even form a class and a caste all
to themselves, And, when a darker
Negro rises to power and promi-
nence, it is usually on the popular
strength of the pure black mass.
= these countries black Negroes
usually hate the mulatto worse than
they do the whites.
Right here in America, where
white public opinion and public
sentiment has thrown light, brown
and black Negroes in one common
prize and, where, as far as the whites
are concerned, "all Negroes look
alike TO them" and all Negroes
suffer one common fate, the mu-
latto problem has tried to raise its
head; for, in practically every COM
munity there is r snobbish clique"
of light-skin Negroes who want to
be better" than the rest, and tend
to form exclusive social groups.
Right here IN America. also. there
are business. establishments that pre-
fer Negroes of certain shade Of
Brown or light for certain Jobs. We
are. not altogether free from the
dangers OF the Mulatto Problem.
advise ALL Negroes to fight
with teeth and toe
nails; for, one OF the sure conse-
quences OF amalgamation is the Mu-
latto Problem; and, wherever that
monster has been al
lowed TO raise is ugly head. it has
split up and demoralized Negroes
even to the dearest and most init
mate relations OF family life. Watch
for the Mulatto Problem, and kill
it whenever and wherever it raises
its ugly and poisonous head.
i; X X
ANNOUNCEMENT The Negro
History classes conducted by Atty.
Ramon A. Martinez every Monday
night at the st. Antoine Branch
Of the Y.M.C.A. have recessed for
Christmas holidays, and will resume
at the same place and at the same
hour every Monday, beginning on
January 8, 1910. Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
AROUND ANN ARBOR

the charming Lucille Steele has re-
turned from a stay up north. We'll
come home, Lucille.
NJ. U. has declared a holiday until
the third Of next month, and there
are loads OF students, porters, chefs
and watnot loosed on the streets
Greetings and salutations to all.
1t is generally understood that
Claver Diekerson and Miss Turner
are that way about one another, but
she won't give him a definite ans
wer Seems there is a Detroit
angle.
Willy SHUTTER, stepped into San
ford's in ordinary raiment. came out
gloritied in a sharp swing suit and
a big apple hat, we understand that
he is conquering femmes right and
left Willy Price still cocky as
ever dominating the avenue with his
dynamic personality
1t has been brought 10 my atten-
ton that Nj. and Mrs Larry Chism,
Miss Bernadine Miller and Al Ro-
man will be guests Of our Mayor
Sanford Mckinney this Friday, De-
cember %. Hope you who have
never been here will enjoy your
stay, regardless how brief.
In closing this weekly news-go-
round, let me remind you that an
other election for honorary mayor
Of Ann Arbor is due soon, nominate
your candidate now and cooperate
with this column in this campaign,
the present mayor is running once
more, and once more l will say the
seasons greetings and salutations,
and I'll be seein1 you
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23

1t is the most
common n a m c
by which it is
known and iden-
title d in the
countries where
it exists: but, il
is really a color
problem.
Amalgamation-
lists see m TO
think land so
did I when |
used TO believe.
in it, that II in
termar riage is
allouyad hat,uaen
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23


once again ioiSs' we D.ins ~ ~
tne news Oh 'he Idy' 'aAAns ,"., ~
por'uhl'y 10 WISH C esen Gnu ~ /,
one very Meliy IN is', ni',. W -
happy = ~ , PC Jus -,s J" ~
No" Oh W inc news
FRATERNITY NOTES
st. Marys lodge NUMBER : paru-
eipated in an imitation on Decem-
Der 10 IN fpsuanti' 81. ANDREWS
lodge number Z.
st. Marys lodge NUMBER MAD us
annual election OF otiicers on MON
day, December a. Earl Reynolds was
reelected worshipful master onls
is his third year IN oftlce) and
Cedric Morris wa sre-elected senior
warden, Sanford Mckinney was
elected junior warden Joseph
(Pete) Philips was elected secre-
tary, j. E. Day was reelected treas
urer, Leroy RaVelln was elected
senior deacon, Harold Runth was
elected 10 the post Of Junior deacon
George johnson reelected tyler
Calvin Lark, Albert johnson were
appointed stewards, and billiard
Morris was appointed chaplain. Mr..
George Cough was appointed mar
shall
The installation OF officers was
held on December ID, at the old
familiar lodge room. Ed Louis and
George Cough officiated. Every
members in good standing had as
his guest prospective member. or
former member who wanted TO be
re-instated, At the conclusion of the
installation avery delieiogs-Tepast
was enjoyed. Liquir refreshments
were to be had also
SUNDAY, december III the Naomi
cnapter NUMBER IL Oh tne Eastern
stars and 81. Marys looge NUMBER
were IN a JOINT service az betnel
; a. We, NeV' .. wesley "liE C ue-
n ,.veieu gu .,iopii ..s 90 - t - IS
6 o e se W.. ."y 20, ~ -. Az. :
De- .la ossi No 10 tne WV .ay ',las' % .
u 'ne Naoii'i .n' -. I
o'heis 'i'ele WIZ Wis Ha -,
neI, psst worthy .na a,s Wis .,I nn
- 1 ~ eI''s poS' y So.
Ms, ~ 1850 no"'' S-.ta naI;.
Luelie , nalLison' ~, wy We ,,. naSei.m'
f,hirnd laii isoi' NiaoIe "eis.iiiey
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23

cometh him who bestoweth a chari-
ty instantly to forget it."
II there is real charity in the
hearts of these high and mighty ex-
pioiters of the peor let them show
it by an equitable adjustment OF HUI
man rights and daily effort to help
then every day will be Christmas
day. -.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
rAMALGAMATIoN"-vuI

One OF the most serious problems
that arises with amalgamation is
the Mulstto Problem. We choose
to call it here by that name because
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
NAV pIREereR -MIssIoN

New Director Christian Missi~n.
4io4 St Antoine street, undr the
leadership Of Rev. L. N. Jackson.
minister is showing much progress
ana w,u be one Of Deuolts leading
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
ALONG THE MIDWAY

preached the sermon at IL o'clocfk
from St. Luke 23:39-46. Mrs. Bur-
niece Avery OF Oak. Grove A.M.E
church. rendered a solo.
Special services will be held on
Monday, December Is, at S am, and
the senior choir will sing Christ
mas carols with P. L. Warfield, d.
recfinp
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23

On Christmas Eve at Bethel
A.M.E. church the senior choir will
give a cantata. The choir is under
the able direction OF Mrs. Blake.
DANCE
The AACC will give a cabaret
party on New Years eve at the Old
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
1854 DAYS

1854 DAYS
Well, the anniversary OF Christ's
birthday is just about here. Mon
day, December IS, is the date, to
be exact. All is excitement. The
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23
AN ARsoRITEs VISIT WEST

ANN ARBOR, Mich.-Mrs. Gladly.
Foster is visiting friends and rela-
tives in St. Louis, Mo-, and Kansas
City, Kansas.
MIR and Mrs. Rae Black are visit
ing in Oklahoma.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23

Christmas program for the chill
dren will be given Monday evening
at 7 pm.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-12-23

Hickory club, lis East Washington.
Tax is sixty-five, advance, delin-
quent or door tax will be seventy
five. Good music, good time; time,
10 10 am. Everyone welcome.
BASKET BALL
The DEC. basketball team. lost is
first game last Friday night to Tole-
do, score 1925. We should all turn
iout-and- give the boys more CO.
operation. Let's all rally for the next
game.
KENTUCKIAN FETED
ANN ARBOR, Mich. CSpeciaD-
The charming Miss Annabell Palmer
was entertained recently by cock
tail party in her honor. Miss Naomi
Hawkins and John Thompson were
the host and hostess at the beautiful
home OF Mr.. and Mrs WEIGH Coprich
on North Main street. 1t was the
most brilliant of the pre-Chrlstmas
holiday social affairs The towns so
cial elite were represented by Mr..
and Mrs. Elmer Brooks, Mr.. and
Mrs. Elmer Carter of Ypsilanti; Mr..
and Mrs Kenneth Wagner, Mr.. and
Mrs. Baron Williams, Mr.. and Mrs.
Lyle Riddle, Mr.. and Mrs. Cecil
Field Mr.. and Mrs. Waly Franklin,
Mr.. and Mrs. Earl Reynolds, Mr.. and
Mrs. Richard Denard, Richard Allen.
Mr.. Loyal Moore, visiting from New
York, Mrs. William Russell Mrs
Gladys Foster, Mrs. Olive Watson.
Mr.. and Mrs. Leroy RavelIng, Mr..
and Mrs WEIGH Coprich, Mr., and
Mrs. David Keaton, Edward Hugue-
ly and Mrs. Willie Huguely.
Miss Palmer is a resident Of Louis
vile. Kentucky. Her stay here is in
definite.
AN ARBoRITES VISIT WEST