The Phoenix index., 1941-11-01
DON'T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOU

groups, we, who constitute a
, minority group, should continue to
make friends and not enemies OF
the liberal-minded people who re-
SIDE in our communities. Racial
differences cannot be solved in a
wholesale fashion or by vilifylng
those Of the dominant group.
AS stated by the late Booker
Washington: 1--WE shall succeed,
rot by abstract discussion, not by
depending upon making empty de-
mands, not by abuse of some other
individual or race, but we will sue
ceed by actually demonstrating to
the world that We can perform the
we'll or better than anyone else"
DEPENDS ON INITIATIVE
Our future will depend on our
own initiative, character, and
ability to meet American standards
and requirements. 1t should not be
forgotten that the pioneering Ne
groes wrought we'll. 1t was they
who founded the schools, churches,
and successful business institutions
that are today owned and operated
by Negroes If succeeding genera
tions hope to succeed, it is expe-
dent that they employ to a large
extent the procedure employed by
our forefathers.
In order to compete with other
groups. the race must cultivate
more self-respect and practice the
spirit of cooperation. Let us ask
ourselves frankly: How many sue
cessful business institutions have
been organized during the past
decade? What is the cause of
failures among our group? You
will probably find the answer to
be, lack of Judgment, lack CT abil-
ity to fit into difficult situations,
and too often lack of integrity. 1t
is suggested that the youth of the
land seek to take advantage of
the opportunities made possible by
cur pioneers, rather, than center
their attention on the disadvan-
tages, prescriptions and discrimina-
tons to which We are, as minor
ity group, subjected.
It is regrettable but true, that
while Negroes comprise approx
mately % per cent of North Caro-
lira's population, over SIS per cent
of the prison population is Negro;
that of approximately 393 persons
put to death in the state during
the past 30 years, over 300 of them
we're Negroes. These are the con-
dltions, and the causes call for
serious thought on the part of us
all.
NFERIORITY NOT
CONCEDED
It is not conceded that the Ne
gor must of necessity constitute an
inferior race solely on account of
color, but unquestionably he will
continue to be Disseminated
against in proportion to his ignor-
ance, laWlessneSs, ard failure to
be a dependable. productive eff
cient element of society,
AS stated by DR.. Washington:
"We shall prosper in proportion
as we learn to glorify and dignity
labor and put brains and skill in
to the common occupation of life"
The country's need for skilled me-
chanics caught the Negro almost
wholly unprepared. Our economic
ttatus has not developed to the
point where the common occupa-
ton of life can be dispensed with
It is still necessary that We work
with our hands. This being true,
we should stress the necessity for
vocational training, and develop
the youth of the race to the point,
that regardless of the emergency,
we will find ourselves prepared.
The future is still bright. tor the
race or individual who is prepared,
for "if history teaches any one
lesson more thoroughly than an