The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-22

|
NAKED in the MUIR Mr.. Casey
der OF IL year old
white boy. played up on the front
page OF the daily newspapers,
greatly stirred the population. May
or La Guardia met the situation by
sending an extra guard TO all af-
fected areas where the unusual
crime conditions was prevalent. The
hundred and fifty policemen were
sent to every such area. There were
numerous robberies with weapons
and beatings by rowing gangs OF
boys.
A meeting was called in the Mag
istratcs court room by the leading
Negroes OF Harlem to discuss the
situation. In this meeting. some
speakers blamed the trouble on the
newspapers: some blamed the con-
dition on the high rents the Negro
has TO pay which deprives the chill
dren OF adequate food and cloth
/ ing some blamed the condition on
bad housing: others said II was due
10 the condition OF unemployment
still existing among Negroes 10 a
high degree: others thought the
crime condition among our Negro
youth was because OF parental
neglect: some blamed il upon lack
! of adequate recreallOnal facilities
in the affected districts: others
| blamed the condition upon white
men who come 10 Harlem TO have
fun and spend their money corrupt
ing Negro youth of the district:
1 they said such white persons ought
not to come TO Harlem: some hlam-
ed the crime condition 81 Negro
youth upon the large namher OF
Negro families receiving welfare
checks and the rising costs of rent
and foods reducing ITEM 10 less
than a bare existance
One public school principal told
how she had 1000 Negro girls In her
care and that she knew the quail
~ OF these children. She said that
Of this number Ebout 200 were bad
" inclined and that unless some
thing were done to arrest these ten
denotes most OF them would likely
fall to lives OF crime. The others.
she said were children of excellent
quality. The honorable Clayton
| Powell. Jr.. the new councilman-
elect was present at this meeting.
He Is well known in Detroit having
spoken here several times. Powell,
first Negro TO be elected in New
York under the proportional repre-
sentation plan. said: THAT the in
crease staff OF policemen should re-
main but that Negro policemen
should be used in the border areas
where n great deal of the trouble
has occurred and that a fact ind
ing commission should be appointed
TO study the facts behind the situa-
ton and make recommendation
This plan was adopted by the meet
ing.
IT is ALWAYS OF great interest
to watch what the New York Ne
gro does in any situation in which
he is moved TO action because that
city contains so many Of our most
forceful Negro personalities. They
are very forward In social, political
and economic thinking. They drive
hard behind progressive programs
adopted for relieving economic in
equality. They arc forceful in push
irg programs for racial adjustment.
/ believe that the problems growing
out OF the conditions that affect the
Negro youth to-day and that he
will he called upon 10 face tomor-
row are the most important they
have been called upon TO consider.
IL struck me that in the body OF
Negro citizens, celebrating upon
conditions affecting Negro youth In
the Harlem Magistrate court room,
there was no constructive sugges-
tion such as would have been made
and the basic social knowledge up
on which Richard Wright composed
his "12 MILAN Black Voices"
10 bring the full realization OF
OF those present. The Negro must
not become the helpless victim Of
his own propaganda. powerless 10
cooperate in the solution OF prob
lens that threatens his own destiny
in this American Nation. I believe
that editor Debneys' suggestion OF
cooperative boys clubs. sponsored
by parents and others in these dis
tricts whore constructive forces
are needed, in all Negro neighbor-
hoods, is direct contribution to-
ward lettering this threatening
condition.
THE EDUCATIONAL departments
Of many OF the labor unions have
conducted helpful advice and CO.
operative action in aiding their
members 10 secure the full benefit
and protection OF all the social
security laws put upon the statute
books for their protection. This sd-
vice and cooperation has aided
workers cut OF from their Jobs. by
the action Of the priorities board, TO
get transferred 10 other Jobs. These
unions help their members In get
ting necessary training TO NJ them
for the new Jobs. The educational
department secures full Information
about the operation OF all govern