The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1940-03-02
Nationalism Ridiculous

Telling the Negro that he has
unique talents particularly along
the singing tines must be taken
too seriously by the race" the
speaker cautioned, because the
Negro must realize that he is as
capable of doing anything as the
next race"
"Nationalism is ridiculous, we
wouldn't last two days at it," was
Powell's opinion as to the sound
ness of the nationalist movement.
He also cited it as the weakness of
the Jewish race. Effective integra-
lion on the part Of any race in the
society to which it belongs was
recommended.
Referring to Bilbo and his Back
to Africa Plan" Powell said, Tell
Mr.. Bilbo we'll go back to Africa
whenever he goes back TO wherever
he came from and l don't know
where that would be unless it was
He'll"
Leadership Of the Masses
Averring that we are living in an
age of the perversion Of the scien-
tifc genius Of Its time; amid a
rising tide of color; in the midst-of
a threatening war, to save not
democracy. but the status quo,
Powell reminded the group that
during the last war Britain's hands
were dripping with the blood Of
100 100000 blacks in Africa and
Asia and that although we were
mechanically a neighborhood, the
world was yet spiritually far apart.
Pleading for a leadership of the
masses; a leadership which vitality
concerned itself with the problems
of the Little Negro" Powell urged
Negroes to use the ballot, contend
ing that any Negro who did not
vote was making OF himself an
outcast. While voting the speaker
cautioned, disregard parties and
vote on a basis of merit"
Raps Churches. Hits Second
Baptist and Brady
Rapping religion and churches
by saying, The religious outlook
is very dark" and citing the
Cathedral of Notre Dame, a building
worth more than S200,0O0,000 yet
its steps were usually covered with
beggars. emaciated and hungry, he
asserted that Western culture had
turned Christianity into Church
ianity'."
Militarism in the church was also
pointed out by Powell as being a
dire need. Where" he asked, lis
Rev. R. L. Brady, of Second Bap-
fist? Why have l never been invited
there to Speak when he is one Of
my fellow churchmen and one Of
my fathers most esteemed friends?"
Powell praised Rev. Baber for
his progressiveness and the freedom
Of assemblage which he granted to
all persons where the use of Ebe-
nezer church of which he is pastor
=wasz concerned
Committee to Investigate School
Situation
Decrying the condition Of Miller
high school and pointing out that
unlike other schools in the city
Miller has 10 swimming pool, a
two by four gym. and an audi
torium which accommodates only
28l people and in the event that ar
assembly is desired. eight different;
sessions are necessary to reach the
entire student body. The group is
circulating petitions asking Mayor
Jeffries and the Council to allocate
funds for additions to the school.
Jeffries Raped
Mayor Jeffries vas raped by the
group on several counts, including
ta) failure to appoint a Negro TO
the Civil Service Commission; veto
ing the bill to beautify the lands
around the Brewster Homes; (c)
was eager for a change in hours
so that Negro tiremen could be
relieved Of the necessity Of living
in quarters with whites.
The New York cleric was intro
duced by Rev George W. Baber
/ general chairman of the Seventy