Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1941-02-07
Negro Is Major Problem
of America

By Meta LOchard in The Nation CONDENSED VersiOn)
The attitude national
be examined in the light Of subtle
ism that conditions leadership
thirteen million blacks Unable ntegrae himself fully social
and economic American culture the
to formulate doctrine of Separation rational
rgOr Of prejudice discrimination The
social situation has forced him into aay
people nation within nation" This may
sten preparedness unrespOnve
appreble from the
national condition support.
dOnasm eOnpuOuy restrained in the midst
hysteria .
Negro fully disposed to minimize
the gravity of the circumstances that call defense unity
security propaganda
him. He believes of Intervention
an nescapab alternative to actual Aid to Britain
conceived necessary expent present emergency
though the Negro unmgated
exploitation of black labor in the Crown colonies in Africa the
preston of fundamental political rights in the Indies the
fusa of the Secretary for the Colonies before
Parliament the of the respect
universal education political abolition
these and other instances of pacy Imperialism
endeared Britain Realizing however,
and OF government the Negro willing
to cast aside his traditional AnglOphObia.
More than other racial minority Negroes
Under which they could power
of the ballot they would lose vege of human rights Certainly
they could cherish hope fascist society that regaed them
puts
"Men Kamp Italian peaceful Ethiopia
less dmembermen independent African kingdom
the recent expulsion of all people of African descent from German
France
black soldiers nsuts the dignity of the white race thor
oug awakened the Negro the dangers of scm While
the absorption of Austria ovaka Poland Norway
Holland Belgium excited little feeling
Negroes the invasion of France brought different
For France with its historic declaration of the Rights Men, with
traditional liberalism racial tolerance the all
black men, the living symbol of democracy
Negro democracy
challenge those political principles through which justice
eventually be attained in America He recognizes therefore, that
the imposes his the necessity
the mtenabe position nation within But
he willing fOregO the defensive attitude into which he has been
forced he does in order equitable participation
the affairs of this republic The determination his
democratic rights under the national emergency
based past experience
In October 1915 month before the signing of the Armsce
Robert Motonthe principal of
Tuskegee nstitteO France advise Negro soldiers who had
glimpse of real democracy the their
for democratic rights. In
Baker informed Dr. w. B. Dubois then the editor of the Crisis
1--WE by this settle the Negro problem"
The Negro problem major problem of American democracy
the black called defend this democracy he has
legitimate claim those rights which by unda
mental laws of the of political which he urged to
this be incorrect view the Negro has except
human be exercised about fought by white folk
for the exclusive benefit and gOrfcaOn of white folk He should
the unconditional choice between fighting slave for the
nefaiOus and fighting free for free
institutions