The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-11-29

the Negro by CO.
lucrative action. advances ny gam
ing strength and support from ,ne
neople in the district 1t serves. This
II The kind of cooperative action
that the West side Human heia-
lions Council was formed TO achleVe
and which course it has followed
since IT'S founding. Years ago, tEis
organization tackled the problem
nj juvenile delinquency, organizing
discussion groups among the par
ents when there was little general
puhlic interest in the question. They
have fought oh the economic 'front.'
The race discrimination front, the
social and other fronts with Just
one purpose in mind: That OF rend-
ering an unselfish service 10 tnelr
neonle. Themen and women VINO
have guided the course OF TINS or
canization have put into II nne
IDEAL of race service and backed II
up with solid ,zealousness
and fidelity OF purpose. Before the
New Deal had accomplished us
revolution in social thinking by
millions OF voters. these leaders OF
the West Side Human Relation
council were laboring at the JOB OF
getting the Negro TO think and act
Tor himself in his own defense from
tho Ills that heset his community
life. The great attainment was IN
getting the cooperative action oil
the people for improving their own
conditions. This Is an achievement
thar the rank and ME OF our Negro
nopulation must win in all districts
where The Negro lives II he IS TO
assure himself OF a racial destiny
in this Nation.
The other important aspect Is
that all of the people living IN a
particular neighborhood or district
have common problems or interest
which need 10 be seryiced. THIS Is
especially true OF the Negro. they
are neighhors with the opportunity
and advantage of promoting each
other better, seeing each other more
often and in being IN easy access
Of. an organization meeting serving
The neighborhood or district. They
have the opportunity of developing
broader understanding oil them
selves and those who act as ieau-
ers. These people become more
tolerant OF one another and learn
10 cooperate better and better with
one another. They learn 10 dissolve
all differences due 10 religion. edu-
cation, social standing and person
al egotfsms. AS differences grow
less and less, organization grows
stronger and stronger. They come
10 realize that II organization IS TO
get them anywhere, the people
themselves must provide the energy
Of motion and the leader 10 guide
them TO their goal. They learn TO
appreciate and appraise for them
selves the qualities OF a leader
and you cannot destroy his influ-
ence bv whispering campaign
among the members. These are the
manifest advantages that arise out
of the organization that serves a
district that operate as real train
ing grounds for the people and the
leaders.
We feel very hopeful about this
mile stone OF progress in the West
Side Human Relations council be-
ing able to enter upon the pur-
chase OF their own building. This
action is an outstanding accomp-
lishment by this organization.
THE QUESTION has been put to
1 me on several occasions lately
Is there a rising tide OF race pre-
judice against the Negro In Ameri-
ca, in Detroit? What Is meant is a
concerted effort TO intensity lines
or racial demarcation. Some per-
sons say that they have experience
ed a greater display OF prejudice In
public places in the last six months
than was formerly the case. Others
speak OF hearing public speakers
from our governmental department
openly declare that the policies OF
their department as regards the
Negro is one Of segration. l have
heard white friends testify OF the
intense spreading OF prejudice
against the Jews because many be-
lieved that they were responsible
for getting this country into war
against the Nazis and they said this
campaign carried over also against
the Negro but to lesser degree
than against the Jews.
This campaign OF racial prejudice
found open expression in the Des
Moines speech OF Colonel Lindberg.
The Jewish people were so strong
ly intrenched In both political and
economic power that they were
able TO beat back this rising tide
Of prejudse against them. Is this
stirring up OF racial prejudice still
going forward against the Negro?
The NAACP does not seem TO have
any unusual number OF discrimina-
tons at this time. I have talked with
some with racial contacts on this
matter and they report no unusual
conditions existing as regards the
Negro. The most Of the types OF
cases referred TO are those CT acts
by individuals In public places. The
greater frequency OF such acts
could be accounted for by a cam
paign OF intenslcatlon OF race pre-
JUDGE against the Negro.
TIE LARGEST Negro community
In America has achieved It's
goal OF electlng a Negro represen-
tative TO the city Council OF New
York City. DR.. Clayton Powell. the
popular pastor OF Abyssinlan Bap-
Alfred Casey,