The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-12-13


lance to the whole -
question OF Negro
leadership has not MI. Cassey
and been widely re-
aized. The back
dence piles up as 10 the crucial
position OF the Negro In America.
and that there is being diffused a
greater knowledge OF what Is hap
pening to the Negro in America
under the relentless pressure OF
racial prejudice, the Importance OF
what the same leaders do In our
city looms larger and larger in Ne
gro thought.
NOW COMES A DRAMATIC figure
~ on the scene OF Negro thought
and action. This important person
age is the great writer. Richard
Wright. He tells OF the journey OF
THE Twelve Millions of Black Peo-
ule" in America today from their
origin in Africa through the two
hundred and fifty years OF slavery,
and through seventy eight years OF
freedom with all OF the social.
economic and racial implications,
He writes with great beauty. sim
plicity. clarity and forcefulness
OF expression. Richard Wright has
come along to bolster the position
OF these new thinkers and leaders
OF Negro opinion and action. Some
how, the Negro public must be
Jared and jolted into realization
OF the critical period through which
they arc passing. Richard Wright's
works and especially the latest
Twelve Million Black Voices" VIII
stir a great movement in that di-
rection.
Richard wright's IL Million Black
Voices" presents graphic picture
Of the demoralizing and merciless
exploitation that the Negro was
compelled to endure for nine gen.
erations OF slavery. He pictured the
brutal. relentless and systematic
method Of exploitation and neglect
which the millions OF black citizens
were subjected TO after freedom
in the tenant farm system. Richard
Wright pictures the struggle oil
these millions TO eek out bare ex'
istence against brutal intimidation
defeat. restitution and despair on
all sides. Then came the call OF the
factories Of the North. They came
and they came by the myriads oil
thousands 10 escape the horrors OF
a hostile environment. How these
refugees" ran into a systematic
exploitation in the big cities and
what Is now happening 10 the sons
and daughters Of those people who
| are now citizens OF the north II
told in that book az Million Black
Voices" 1t is a challenge 10 Ameri.
ca; hut tits equally challenge Il
the Negro.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE attitude
" OF Race leaders, what should b.
their policies. what should be theil
purposes in dealing with our mass
es in their desperate struggle fol
survival? Richard Wright sums VI
the picture OF twelve millions this
way: This text assumes that TN,
few Negroes who have lifted them.
selves through personal strength
talent or luck. above the lives ol
their fellow blacks, like singl,
fishes that leap and flash for a spill
second above the surface OF tn,
sea--are but fleeting exceptions Il
the rest and tragic school that swim
below the depths. against the cur,
rent silently. heavily. struggling
against the waves and vissitude,
that spell common fate" The evi.
dence Is piling up daily before oul
eyes that "those who swim In tn,
depths are determining the common
fate OF all Those then who con
stitute the talented tenth" the so
ciety class, can improve their owl
fate In this democracy by doini
everything within their power u
help those who live in the depths
In all cases where such Negroes arr
class conscious habit OF this so
ciety group. they as leaders, be
come the same type Of exploiters 4
the masses as those who have KEEP
them under their heels for genera
tons.
WE HAVE HAD IN DETROIT
w some who have demonstrated
the principle OF cooperation al
against the policy OF exploitation
According to Daniel Webster, ex
ploitation means the act OF usinI
basely for ones advantage or profit
In politics this would mean tina
the politician would say anything
or do anything 10 advance his owl
interest. regardless OF the hurt Of
harm II would do TO his race. Ii
religion II would mean that thu
preacher seem not primarily interest
ed In saving souls and doing goos
for his members but 10 secure pro
At and financial security for him
self. In matters Of civic advance o
the race, II would mean that thu
pretended leader was interested
nrst In his own Advancement ant
II anything were left. the race Nigh
have the beneft Il II.
Perhaps there are many men II
Detroit and many women who hay'
been unselnsh and cooperative
leaders. But for the purpose o
illustrating the application OF co
operation In the manner outlined
think OF Ave men whose career
can definitely assigned to TIT
category; They are the late Fathel
Alf~~S css.>v.