The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-05-09
BROAD SCHEME.
OUTLINED BY.
SPEAKER HERE.
Closed National N egrO
Youth Week
COnfab


ence OF youth and adults at the
closing meeting OF National Negro
Youth week at St Stephens A.ME
church. Sunday. May g. Atty Loring
B. Moore, race relations advisor
Sixth Corps area. Office Of Civilian
Defense, gave the inspirational
address which closed the observ-
ance He was introduced by Rosa
Gragg, prominent Detroit club
woman, president OF Woman's
Association OF Clubs.
A report OF Youth week and It's
observance was given by Gloster
B Current. executive secretary.
NA.ACP The Harrison Spiritual
Singers thrilled the audience with
several renditions OF new and old
spirtuals.
Excerpts From Loring's Speech
The last war did no. turn on;
10 be "A war to save democracy
except in the sense that the bal
ance OF power was preserved in
favor Of those nations in which the
seeds OF democracy were well
planted, Great Britain. France and
the United States. No problems Of
race or color had been seriously
involved, nor was the ascendancy
OF any culture other than Europeon
involved governments
Japan and Italy. and the peoples
OF India. China. and Africa were
on the side OF the Allies. The Negro
citizen fought for his country as
matter OF course: suffered the
limitations OF his half-ctzen status
How then shall we play our part
in this war for freedom? First. GER
tain broad policies must be followed.
!. We must support individually.
and as group. the war effort in
our country. This support should
not be in line with the Biblical in !
junction, Servant, obey your
masters" but as free American
citizens with stake in the future
Of the United States and in the
maintenance OF democratic institu-
tions.
?. We must insist as American
citizens that the war be prosecuted
vigorously 10 victory; but we will
not hamper our government in its
conduct OF the war program, by
hostile criticism.
3. We should carry on the fight
for freedom at home. As stated IN
. recently published resolution, the
correction Of certain injustices can
be made under the pressure OF war
which years Of peaceful effort have
failed TO bring about, such as, for
instance, the discrimination against
the Negro citizen in industry, in
labor, and in the armed services
OF the nation. Such things we do
not consider in the realm OF social
experiment. They are wrongs under
the Constitution.
l. We must resist all efforts Of
Hitler's agents, or by American
saboteurs of the war effort. to divert
us or other members of the Ameri-
can nation from full support OF
war programs and we must scotch
their efforts 10 weaken American
determination 10 win the war.
) Each and every individual
Negro citizen must spend every
possible extra ounce OF energy. at
work and in civilian war programs.
for the speeding OF the war efIor;.
AS 10 certain particulars these
suggestions are made:
!. Military programs and meas
-ures must, in their design, take into
consideration all circumstances. One
Circumstance in connection with
indignation Of personnel into the
armed forces IS the fact OF racial
prejudice. We can be reasonable
about racial prejudice even though
racial prejudice is unreasonable. but
we should insist that military
measures and programs adopted. in.
volving limitation OF our rights as
citizens. shall be considered solely
as temporary measures. submitted
10 in the interest Of maximum mill
tary effort and not accepted as
permanent policy, and further that
q clear military necessity must
exist for any exclusion or distinc-
ton against the Negro; and further
that general policy shall be
followed toF the full use OF the
Negro in every field OF military
activity. Experiment in mixed
military units is desirable. .
2 The federal government in the
conduct Of Is war program. both
before and since Pearl Harbor. and
as well, in peace time programs
has recognized the democratic