The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1940-01-05
Timely Topics

patronize Negro business. While
1t is true that there is a tendency
on the part of most Negroes to
spend their money with concerns
operated by members of other
races, this is not directly respon-
sible for the failure of so many
race enterprises. Negro business
es have failed in most instances
because business executives have
expected the support of the race
on a racial basis. Moreover, the
theory that Negroes won't pat
ronize their own enterprises" dis
proves the former contention that
Negroes won't get together" Ne
groes are not as widely separated
as one is given to believe, for if
they were mot together" would
not Negro business receive a
greater share of their support
than it does now?
There is very little wisdom in
the presumption that the race
should support a business simply
because that business is operated
by a race brother. In the matter
of Negro spending, it is important
that we take into consideration
two important facts: that money
spent nowadays for food and other
is limited among all
races; that Negroes on whom the
of small business depends
are among the lowest income
groups. Consequently, the Negro
must shop where his dollar is of
the greatest value. Moreover, he
knows where the best
values can be found because the
alert businessman advertises in
mediums he knows will reach the
potential buyer.
Negro business suffers from a
lack of support by the group, but
it is not entirely because the group
lacks race pride. To draw the Ne
gro business it is essential that
race enterprises meet the prices
of competitors and keep their bu-
siness constantly before the pub
lie. This not only invites the sup
port of the race but all who shop
in the neighborhood in which the
business is located.
About In spite of the exist
Churches ence of numerous So
cial agencies and other organiza-
lions through which much has
been accomplished to lift the STAN
dard of living of all mankind, and
promote inter-racial goodwill, the
church still exerts a tremendous
influence in the community Even
in the days of the "Jack-leg"
preacher, and before younger peo-
pie became an integral part of the
life of the church, its influence
served as a leavening for other
some of which were
opposed to the church program.
AS in other communities, so it has
been in Seattle.
1889 brought some changes that
the program of our
churches and left vacancies in the
of the city's reli-
gious affairs that can be success
fully filled only by the most care
full planning by the church body.
The passing of staunch members
of two of the most outstanding re-
ligious centers, plus the transfer
of pastors, have not left these
churches with the brightest out
look. In the case of the First A.
ME. church the place of Rev. F.
A. Hughes who was transferred to
has been filled with the
coming of Rev. Hayes whose qua
and record here to date
indicate a successful administra-
ton of the affairs of that church.
Mount Zion Baptist church has
not Jared so well. The resignation
of Rev. T. M. Davis left the church
without the leader so necessary to
the maintenance of the high STAN
dard set by the recent pastors
predecessors. No reason has been
given for Rev. Davis forced resig-
nation, but it is significant that
in the final months of his pastor
ate, attendance showed a marked
decrease, an indication of discon-
tent among the church body.
At this writing, Mt. Zion is still
without a pastor but services are
going on as usual and the MEM
bership's handling of the church's
affairs is commendable. However,
because of the influence of the
church on the younger generation,
it is imperative that all efforts be
made to secure the right person
to fill the vacancy at once.
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