Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1942-07-24
Nine Thousand Cheer AS
Willkie Vigorously Attacks
American Race Prejudice
By Rev. Clarence T. R. Nelson

Especial to The st. Paul Recorder
and The Minneapolis Spokesman
"A crowd of 5000 people, packed
into every available seat in the
beautiful and spacious Shrine
Temple here yesterday, in the clos
ing mass meeting of the 33rd an
nual conference of the National
Association for the Advancement
of Colored People, heard Wendell
Willkie castigate in no uncertain
terms, white Americas attitude
toward the Negro. The 1910 Re
publican presidential candidate de-
clared that "The attitude of the
white citizens of this country
toward the Negroes has undeniably
had some of the unlovely and
tragic characteristics of an alien
imperialism-a SNUG racial supe-
riority, a willingness to exploit an
unprotected people. .. But we are
learning in this war that it is not
racial classifcations nor ethnO-
logical considerations which bind
men together. 1t is shared con-
cepts and kindred detectives. E.
We are finding that under the pres
sures of this present conflict that
long standing barriers and preju-
dices are breaking down." When
Mr.. Willlie said "the test Of peo-
pie is their aim, not their color"
he was applauded for several sec
onds.
The speaker did not attempt to
dodge the issue as he pointed out
the "evident inequities." Said he,
"Our proclamations of what we
are fighting for have rendered our
own inequities sel-evident. When
we talk about freedom and oppor-
tunity for all nations, the mock
ing paradoxes in our own socie-
ty become so clear they can no
longer be ignored. Our old world
is breaking to pieces. And with its
breakup arises the opportunity to
fashion a newer and better life.
As always in periods of profound
change and struggle, those who
contribute the most will have most
to do with fashioning the future"
In speaking directly to the more
than three hundred delegates from
all parts of the country in atten-
dance at the conference, Mr.. Will
kie, in his concluding remarks,
said: "You here today are lead
ers. You have been sorely tried
with many of the practices OF our
democracy. And it is right and
Just that you should be alert to
every opportunity to remove the
determinations that exist against
your people. But you will find your
largest opportunity to help your
people in leading them to give
their utmost to the preservation
and advancement of our democra-
cy. Thus by serving greatly they
will share greatly in building
among us a society in which all
men will receive justice and a real
freedom. For with all of its de-
fects-and they are many-Ameri-
can democracy is the only sure
foundation we know upon which
a world of justice and freedom can
be built. know that do not have
to tell you this. For l know look
into the faces of men and women
who love America totally"
Will Rogers Soldier Son Speaks
Following Mr.. WILKES address
Lieutenant Will Rogers, Jr., son of
the late Will Rogers, made remarks
in which he said, 81 note that the
theme of your conference is vic
tory Is Vital to Minorities,' but I
want to say that fair treatment of
minorities is vital to victory"
Walter White Closes Meeting
The closing address of the meet
ing was delivered by the hard
working and always fighting exec
utive secretary of the Association,
Walter White. In his opening
statement Mr.. White declared that
at is conceivable and probable
that within the next ninety days
the fate of all of US, white, black,
brown and yellow, in all parts of
the world will be determined by the
titanic struggle of arms on far
flung battle lines from Russia to
the Pacific ard back again" He
continued by saying that chose
battles will be won or lost by what
we do here at home almost as much
as by what fighting men do on
those battle fronts throughout the
world. If we do win-and we will
| Win-yictory can be achieved only