The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1939-02-17
AS | SEE 1T
BY FRANK r. WOOD, JR
If i We're, Twenty One To-Day

If We're Twenty-One To-Day
The Negro youth today is con-
fused and baiiied BY the swiftly
changing demands Of the indus
trial era. ..A
We are told that youth constitu-
tes about one-third Of all persons
employed. One-third Of all the per-
sons admitted to State hospitals in
1883 were between the ages Of
l5 and "a.
AS youth, we secure an education
III society that IN many cases do
not allow us to use it because our
faces are black.
If were twenty-one today |
would want TO know that / had
concrete conception Of four things,
namely Religion, Health, Know
ledge and Aim IN Life.
Religion
IL | were tWenty-one today
would want to know | had real
practical view OF religion. | would
want to know my religion was Of
the type that would help me serve
best my Maker and my fellow
man. Not d religion for Sunday,
Not a religion for outside approval.
Not d religion filled with 'isms'
that perhaps wouldn't understand
nyself, bat d religion based on the
principles Of Jesus Christ and the
Golden Rule, that il, tDo unto
others as you would have others do
unto you / would want TO know
my religion had sincerity of pur-
pose. We can look to the Moham-
iaeds for such sincerity. Regardless
of i mans occupation, his religion
calls for HIM to bow TO Allah at
certain hours, this is done.
Health
Ii | were tWenty-one today !
Would want to be sure had a
aeathy body 70 be able to with
aud the yicissitudes, | would think
t such characters as: Joe Louis,
Rrud Holland, John Woodruff, Ben
Johnson, men whose names flashed
across the pages Of American and
| european newspapers whenever they
perform ii their chosen fields. Men
whose bodies have TO be III perfect
| condition to withstand the stamina
of competition | would have the
knowledge that i healthy body il
needed Tor healthy mind | woulo
engage in every activity in the com.
manity that would increase my
health. The YWCA programs, the
community center program and any
j pe pf wholesome recreation that
would increase my fitness for life.
knowledge
II | were twenty-one today |
! ,fauld have d knowledge Of the
world, knowledge acquired through
! eadiHg and writing. ! would re.
member the words Of Emerson
Reading makes ready man
writing an exact man. | would
want to have il knowledge Of some
III The leaders Of my race, those
who have contributed TO the cultu-
ral development Of America Such
men as: Booker T. Washington, q
leader n the field of education for
both white and colored
Frederick Douglas spent his life
lighting for freedom.
Henry Q. Tanner, who ranks with
/ the greatest painters America has
produced His pictures are display
ad n the Louvre, and Art Galleries
throughout the world.
q. T, Metzingler, who gave to the
shoe industry the new style last
We now use.
Benjamin Bannaker, who invent
ed the first clock to tell time and
strike, also laid out the streets for
the city Of Washington. Ii | were
tWenty-one today, | would want
XIX Wedge Of the great Negroes liv-
ING today.
Aim In Life
III | were twenty-one TODAY
would be sure that / had definite
purpose in life.
Many Of US are just with the tide,
chat is very easy, and the least line
Of resistance.
Ask one what he wants to be,
have not decided yet. If / were
tWenty-one, ] would want to have
decided and putting all efforts to-
wards that end.
| would find particular voca-
tion that | was interested in and
study its advantages and disadvan-
tages and see if | could fit into
this. II ! do not like science, if T
cannot get chemistry or physics,
would know that ] could never make
q successful doctor. If | do not
like mathematics, | would be sure
that | would not choose electrical
pnpiuperinu a Gaid