The Phoenix index., 1940-07-06
JUST WHO ARE THE
BEST WHITE FOLKS?

III utl1 III oil VI UdlL COlIuIlI1llIy
where an auditorium had been
added to the Negro high school
with federal funds matched by
contributions from Negroes. After
the auditorium was finished there
was need for furniture, especially
seats. The Negro Committee was
told by the Board of Education
that there was no money available
for such expenditures. However,
"the best white folks" in the COM
munity sympathized with them and
agreed to make contributions to
fund for this purpose raised by
Negroes. The Negro leaders we're
"tickled pink" and set about high
presSuring their poverty-stricken
constituency to raise the necessary
$1,000 for seats.
CAN'T DO ANYTHING
In several communities visited
the displacement of Negroes from
their traditional jobs was reaching
alarming proportions. The writer
asked. what was being done Well,
the "beSt white folks" had been
consulted and they regretted the
situation but could do nothing tan
gible because of politics" The
Negro leaders apparently felt that
"that was that"
These "best white folks may Of
fer brand of friendship fully sat
isfying to certain types of local
Negro leaders-they evidently do
judging from interviews with these
leaders. 1t seems as though their
lack of action would render their
friendship inadequate and only
partially satisfying because it lacks
the action necessary to Negroes in
their present state of need
A legitimate question at this
point is where are the needed
types of best white folks to be
found?" Since the greatest needs
of Negroes in any locality are with
in the gift of the city fathers and
county commissioners, "the white
friends" Of Negroes must be found
among these officials. There must
be some potential friends among
these people in every community.
They must be discovered and con-
verted with the hope that their
conversion will become contagious.
FUNDAMENTAL, NEEDS
There is no intention here of CIV
ing the impression that Negroes
do not need to help themselves.
They must participate fully in pol
itics. However, the fight for the
right of suffrage is going to be
long and hard to obtain. There
are fundamental needs that must
be gained before that time. In ad-
dition the ultimate attainment Of
the right of suffrage will be aided
if friends are found among the
local politicians in the City Hall
and County Courthouse There is
the danger, however, of the partial
solution of many problems, If the
suffrage fight becomes so a1l-ab-
sorbing as to stop action along oil
other lines Of possible accomplish
ment of needs.
One of the prime essentials for
leadership of ian underprivileged
minority racial group is the possess
sion of skin thick enough to be inn
mune from the pain of insults and
the breadth to sacrifice personal
pride, if needs be. for the sake of
the non-vocal Negro ma ajority. It
will take leaders like this to set
themselves to the task of finding
the "best white folks" in the coun-
Gil chambers and selling them the
case of Negroes Much of the dis
advantaged position of Negroes is
due to the indifference of those in
power and race centeredness.
Much of il is due also to mis-lead-
ership on the part of self-appoint-
ed Negro leaders seeking personal
gain.
The challenge here is for Negro
leaders to leave the confines of
their auburn Avenue" "Beale
Street." ct cetera for a stroll
through the municipal buildings
looking for influence-there is GER
tain1y humanity in these high
places-these folk must be ap-
proachable. Negroes need friends
with power and in power. Leaders.
if you would lead, go forth and
find "the best white folks"