Sunday Chicago bee. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1925-19??, 1940-09-01
COMMUNITY
FORUM
EXIT EXPOSITION
BY FRAYSER I. LANE

Chicago mad Dig snow IIllS
summer. It was a miniature
world fair. 1t attracted thou
sands Of people from various
parts Of. the country. Now that
it is closing, various people will
be expressing their reactions to
the exposition Of Negro Progress.
Here and there one has heard
many remarks. Many Negroes
have felt that the exposition did
not indicate the amount of pro-
gress that we have made. Some
say that in seventy-fve years the
most that Negroes have to show is
the fact that they are participants
in the WPA, CCC, NYA, and
AAA. ..~ =.
On the other hand comments
heard from some Of the white
visitors were just the opposite.
They were amazed to know Of
the many. accomplishments Of Ne
groes. They were unaware, for
example, Of the many fields in
which Negro women have achiev-
ed distinction. Perhaps the rea-
son they were more faVorably
impressed than were the colored
brethren is, because they took
more pains to read all of the ma
terial in the booths. Many Of my
folk simply walked up and down
the halls, seemingly expecting
something to happen. Evidently
their attitude was geared to mo-
ton and, rhythm as they only
stopped when they saw something
in motion, IAN active demonstra-
ton or something given away
free.
OF course every person you met
who felt that he was a race
leader had his own idea as to
how the exposition should be
nm. There was never perfect
agreement as to whose paintings
0r photographs should be dis
played. Some complained be-
cause certain pictures were ir
too many places. All, however.
agreed that the dioramas were
properly selected as to subjects
and excellently done artistically.
From the standpoint of gate re-
ceipts the exposition was FORUM
nate in the selection CT Duke FL
lington as a drawing card. The
fact that fifteen thousand people
paid a dollar each to hear the
Duke, and to see the pretty girls
may be an indication of some
progress itself. From a financial
standpoint it might have been
better to have had several such
outstanding attractions as the
masses Of people will respond to.
We think the Negro Exposition
indicated considerable progress
The dignity and artistry which
was easily observed is very com
mendable:~ Unlike the Chicago
Worlds Fair they did not have 9
Sally Rand as a principal attrac-
ton and we are glad Of it. The
Chimes Of Normandy was away
above the level Of the fan dancer
and reflected credit on its spon-
sors and the exposition authority
as we'll as the achievements OF
the race.
The outstanding contributions
of the exposition were in its by
products. The entire country was
made aware that the Negroes
were celebrating their seventy
fifth year Of emancipation. FaV-
orable articles in white and col
ored newspapers all over the
country were possible because Of
the exposition. In the halls Of
congress and the legislative bod
les Of many states, contributions
were voted for the exposition af-
ter hearing statements on the
progress Negroes have made
Thousands Of white people for
the first time rubbed shoulders
with Large numbers Of Negroes
in an atmosphere Of refinement
dIlu 6A1SO lIlOSS WIZ NC
lieve that Negroes have made nc
progress may begin to besti1
themselves in improving the rec
ord. Those who feel that we
have come a long way on the
path of progress will be encOur-
aged to work the harder.
Whatever the verdict, great tri-
butte must be paid to that small
band -of men who stuck to their
tasks in face Of criticism and OBJ
Stacles and presented such fine
spectacle Hats off to Mr.. James
Washington who gave birth to
the idea, Attorney Truman Glib
son Who worried with details and
mastered them and to Attorney
Wendell E. Green who almost
constantly nurSed the exposition
to see that its tone and ideals
were such as could only reflect
credit upon the sponsors, the race
and its friends. Certainly it was
good to have had the exposition.