St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1941-05-23
Facing
the.
Facts
The All Absorbing Thought
It Can Be Done
At The Cross Roads
Greatest Work Yet To Be Done
By VIM. L. Sheriff.

1
for ourselves a permanent place in
the economic structure of the world
or we shall never count for much
with men and races. This world
of turmoil and confusion presents
to the Negro greater opportunities
for mass action and group build
ing than has ever been his to
seize. There was never a time in
the history of any race or people
when opportunities were greater
for all around advancement. We
have but to properly interrupt that
which is taking place about US and
shape our programs and policies
to meet that change. Let US then
open our eyes to the realization of
things that await our efforts to
produce, develop and enjoy. Let
US become conscious of the powers
to conquer and build and stand
upon our feet as men, fate will
yield to our indomitable will and
do our bidding.
Let none say Negroes can't do,
and be what they will. We, the
Negro, can do without those of US
who say, ut can't be DONE" There
is no place in our ranks for those
who wall and bemoan our fate;
who sit on the sidelines wringing
their hands crying that we have
no chance, no opportunity; for this
is not true.
In spite of the limitation placed
upon US by bigotry, greed and
prejudice; Notwithstanding handi-
caps of our own ignorance and
miseducation; yet fall far short of
living up to the chances and OPP
portunities which are ours. We
talk about "what the white folks
won't do" but if we do all the white
folks will let US do, we will be far
on the road toward economic indie
pendence. Too much of our talk
about lack of opportunity is I'M
real and cowardly; it is simply
lazy excuse for our failure to exert
all of our God given energies. We
must stop finding alibis for not
making good in this world of men.
There can never be any uplift, any
real progress, any permanent ad-
vancement on the part of the race
as a whole until we place the re-
sponsibility of our failures at our
own doorsteps and resolve to do
something about them; until we
awake to the possibilities and OPP
portunities that are ours and grasp
them.
Standing as we are today at the
crossroads of civilization, we must
attack first the problem of bread
represented in commerce and in
dustry. Our children must be fed
and clothed. They must be edu-
Gated to meet and master the prob
lens which confront black men in
this modern day. Places must be
provided for them when they leave
the schools where they can wrestle
with circumstances and master
them. We must build adequate ma
chinery for the financing Of our
great undertaking and successful
carrying out Of our plans.
In the fields of commerce and
industry there are opportunities
open to US which were denied to
our fathers. We must launch into
this field, tackle it's. problems and
wiring success from failure. Fear
must be banished from the thought
of the Negro. We, rising up
amongst the sons Of men, must
equip ourselves with all the knowl-
edge and other requisites which
will enable US to cope with the
task of perpetuating and securing
our people.
The work of the world is yet to
be done. Many cities are yet to be
built. There are yet streams to
be bridged and oceans closed.
Mountains will have to be tun-
nelled. Canals will have to be dug.
Valleys will have to be filled. Then
think of the factories that will be
needed for the production Of goods;
transportation facilities that will
be needed; and the many services
; that must be rendered the human
race. We, the Negro, must prepare
ourselves, then plan to share in all
of these. We must look forward ia
; entering the fields Of commerce
and industry. We must earn the
respect and admiration of the
: world because of our contribution
to its wealth and progress. The
/ field of commerce and industry