The Omaha guide., 1941-12-20

Some labor unions that virtually
control most defense jobs in in
dustry make it impossible for Ne
groes to get these jobs by stub
bornly refusing union member
ship to Negroes.
Within the Government itself,
! Negroes successfully pass all ex-
aminations and other civil service
requirements set UP by the govern
ment to insure the hiring of only
the best qualified. They receive
notice of their C and an or
! der to report for work. But, alas,
when they report for work, they
are told by a surprised official
that he thought the applicant was
} whitehall Negroes are not want
ed on such jobs.
In the army, Negroes are com
fined to segregated divisions
wherein those who are capable are
denied the opportunity of serving
as commissioned officers, with a
few rare exceptions.
While the United States navy
states officially that it is facing
the dilemma Of having more ships
man them, and announces its need
for ten thousand additional re-
cruits, Negroes are seeking to en- |
list are told that there are no pos
itions in the navy for Negroes
other than those positions in which
they are now serving (messmen).
Another official of the navy ex-
planned it thus: That the navy can
not afford to admit Negroes in
large numbers because if it did.
the type Of Negroes who would
enlist would be so superior in train
ing and ability to the type of
whites who are willing to join,
that it would be necessary to give
Negroes important posts in the !
navy and Negroes would domin-
ate the navy. ,
Thus we have one of the chief
obstacles in the path Of the great
est effort of all times to achieve
national unity in America.
Common sense, then is calling
all Americans to do their part in
removing this serious handicap.
Negroes must realize that this re
suit is at least partly their own
fault in that as citizens they have
not exerted themselves as a whole
more fully in the battle for the an
Inhalation of the forces which have
produced this unhappy situation.
In this emergency, the greatest
experiment in self government,
and democracy every made by
man is on trial. Whether the a
merican way of living is to sur
vive, depends upon the outcome
Of this crisis. Negroes must real
ize that with all the short comings
of democracy in America, where
the Negro is concerned, Negroes
in America still are best treated
of any Of the darker races in the
whole world. Barring none in any
other country. Negroes must real
ize that the United States of Am
, erica gives to all its minorities a
better chance than any other gov
: eminent in the world. to win
the unlimited rights, privileges
and duties Of citizenship, whether
the minority be jewish, Catholic,
INeSIO OISdIlAACU AdOOA VI WAoN
not. The greatest opportunity for
minority groups in the world is
wrapped UP in the ramparts we
watch. Any and all contention to
the contrary is pure tommyrot and
disastrous thinking.
Therefore, Negroes everywhere
in all walks of life must turn ev-
cry stone, must seize every oppor-
tunity to batter down the existing
barriers between Negro Americans
and the opportunity to serve our
, government. For, Negroes in A
merica constitute the largest min |
ority group in the land, and as
such, they number more than all
the Irish in Ireland or all the Jews
in the world. 1t is not proper that
the best government in the world
be deprived Of this much Of its po-
tential man-power. # England
could use the man-poWer of the
numerous peoples she has kept in
oath AND LAKE STREETS
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