Arkansas State press., 1942-03-20
as ! see it!
By CHESTER MATTHEWS

MOT 50 many years ago a Ger
~ man pugilst invaded this eoun-
try with the ayowed intention OF
defeating the leading challenger
for the heavyweight champ onshlp
who was Negro. He studiously
studied the fighting style of his
opponent to be, and planned his
battle with the same efficiency as
ISOLATED with Prussia's miliuariste
regime. Even before the fight, SO
sure was he of the outcome, that
like all Nazis he boosted that he
would win by knockout, The Ne
gro's best wasn't good enough, ana
Lis more experienced opponent
"The German" was successful IN
his conquest. And | will add that
it was n fight all the way. Our
fighter took a terrific beating,
such beating as would Lave IN
stilled fear into the average mans
heart Of ever meeting the same
opponent again. But not in tn $
Negroes heart.
The champion at that time, was
a white American. He and the Uh-
Ian were matched "a fight for tho
crown, but some doubt persisted
as to wi ether he possessed the
physical prowess to overcome this
threat to one Of Americas sport
mems most coveted possessions.
But there was no doubt in the
m nds of sportsmen that the Ne
gro possessed the ability in spite
CT his previous defeat. So pressure
was brought to bear on the match
makers and the match was broken
and the black man given lis chance
to become champion. WE know tie
result. In his second meeting with
his German adversary ne had the
backing of all America, and pro-
vided the one instance of which l
know where white supremacy
wasn't wanted. TIE Negro redeem
cd himself gloriously. and has since
proved worthy of the confidence
Of his countrymen.
This same man has joined the
armed forces Of the nation, and
ampion-like has accepted the res
possibility of protecting his eoun-
Try against all aggressor nations.
His willingness to do as told, to
accept as right the cause of his
country as symbolic of true pa
triotism, white or black. His one
man figh, against intolerable con-
ditions has led him to SIX his
most priced possession in his eff
fort to break down barriers to
other members of his race. Even
now he is, preparing to risk his
title for some worthy cause, prov
ing he is ever ready to do even
more than his share FOR having
been accepted and treated as a
man.
1t is the desire Of every Negro to
retain his self respect, and when
this desire is recognized, we will
have more men of championship
calibre doing their all for their
country.
Too many intelligent Negroes
are being sent to Engineering Bat
talions, which IS the dressed uI
name for Old World War LABOR
GROUPS.
We realize this work has to be
carried on, but Row can a man cal
himself a soldier when his basic
training is in handling a pick anc
shovel and not in the use of guns
At the Camp Robinson Post tter'
are approximately twelve hundred
Negro troops engaged in building
firing aids and set ups for bayo
net practice who have not haC
rifle practice nor bayonct practic'
in the 2 months that they have beer
stationed there. Such treatment i!
an affront to the intelligence O
any man, knowing the seriousness
of the situation we face.
! Some If those men are going t
have &c face the enemy some da,
and it would be better that h
face him with n knowledge Of mill
tary tactics and guns.