The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1940-11-15
Coed Neighbors
BY S. t. McCants
For What, Give Thanks

gro race, have much for which to
be thankful, this Thanksgiving
season. True, agree with you,
we must of a necessity look
through the vale of injustice, hate,
discrimination and disfranchise-
ment to give thanks to our creator,
for the special blessing that he has
bestowed upon us. l am sure there
are many among us who feel that
we have but little for which to be
thankful, so to you, l am endeav-
oring to point out, some of the spe-
cial gifts and blessings which we
enjoy, apart from all other races
and people.
l find through personal eXper-
fences that if we count our bless
ings daily, at any season of the
year. month or day, we have much
for which to be thankful. With
me, every day is Thanksgiving,
and l am receiving some of my
rewards here in this sin cursed
world, when we as a race, look
around and see, feel and exper-
fence the injustices practiced
against us daily.
Many of us fail to show our
gratefulness to the Creator of all
mankind. doubt the promises he
has made to us, and all people of
the Earth. True, at times the bur-
dens of injustice are so heavy,
that it seems our Heavenly Father
has gone visiting.
Yes, I have experienced many
of those dark and disheartening
trials of life, but of a truth, I
have always been able in the dark
est hours, to find consolation and
relief in counting the many bless
ings sent me daily, by him who
loved and died for me. 1 also agree
with some of you, that in all my
days on earth, have never wit
messed so much sin, hypocrocy, and
outright injustices of all kinds to
the Negro race, as is prevalent in
our country today. We who count
our blessings daily have this great
consolation. We know of a truth
that God looks after his own, and
those of us who can look I'D
through this vale of sin, tears,
and oppression and take God at
his word, will be lifted to heights
beyond our expectation. Truly
there must be great reward for
those of us who trust God, and
keep the faith. Personally, 1 have
learned to Sc God in everything
that comes to me in this life, and
in so doing, have witnessed many
glorious experiences on this jour-
ney.
must hasten now to tell you
of the special gifts and blessings
that the Negro enjoys apart from
all other nations and people. First
of all, the Negro of a truth, har-
bors more true love in his heart
for all mankind than any race on
earth. And do you know that God
in his great love for the Negro,
gave him the greatest and most
important mission to fill on this
earth?
Yes, the Negro and his special
gift of vocal organs, and when I
say special vocal organs, 1 mean
just that. No race on earth can
take our place, in heralding the
praises of Gods kingdom in song,
to the people of the earth.
The Negro spirituals and their
offsprings of jazz and swing,
which are spirituals right on, are
rocking this old war torn world
today, and of a truth is accom-
plishing more in the way of hold
ing it together, than any other one
thing on earth. Only the Negro
and his music have been able to
draw all races of the earth to-
gether in one accord, wherever
these spirituals, jazz and swing
is presented all races, creeds and
colors, arrive at the same, happy
accord in spirit. Do you know why
this unusual thing always hap
pens? I'll tell you. These old spir-
ituals We're delivered to the Negro
from God himself, to our forepar-
ents and enslaved ancestors, who,
under the bonds of slavery, cruelty
and oppression, would steal away
in the small hours of the night
and retire to some lonely spot, in
valley, or wooded thicket, and
there tell God of his heart render
ing troubles. Often God would
meet them there, and place a new
song in their hearts, and on their
returning, would sing to their
hearts content. Sometime the