Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1942-04-17
MINNEAPOLIS SPOKESMAN

have been almost completely ex-
cluded from participation in this
program as though they were not
Americans.
Seemingly, while the rest of the
country prepares to fight, the col
ored man is being forced to fight to
prepare.
The Nazi holocaust, admittedly
an avowedly "all-out," total war
to destroy democracy, to abolish re-
hgion and religious freedom, to en-
throne racial hatred, and dent the
fundamental human freedoms-has
made it necessary that we launch
the largest program of national de-
Tense in history.
There are some who will take no
part in this effort. Such persons in
sist upon their right to criticize
and to oppose its policy. There are
some, too, whose loyalty is to some
set-up of alien theology and are
seeking to build up racial and
group antagonism in order to de-
stroy national unity.
Yet, these share all the rights of
democracy. They suffer no racial
determinations, no exclusions or
denial of opportunities.
Into this category can be placed
the personnel of the following COM
panies, Bethlehem Steel Co., at
Fairfield, Maryland Dry Dock,
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Yard, at
11O1 Key Highway and Glen L.
Martin Aircraft Co.
These defense manufacturers in
Baltimore disregard the spirit of
Democracy, by hiring Negroes only
as laborers and refusing to hire
colored Technicians, Welders,
Steam-fitters, Riveters, Electrici-
ans, Chemists and Machinists.
The Association of Negro Tech
nicians, a group of three hundred
Negroes, each with a background
of training and technical expert
ence has been formed, to attempt
to break down the barrier which
has been set up against their hold
ing technical or supervisory jobs.
Each member of the Association
has applied for work at each of
these plants. Every one has been
refused work in any capacity other
than as a laborer, although they
are answering newspaper ads for
Welders, Steamfitters, Machinists
and other jobs for which they were
fitted.
1t is the authors opinion that
every citizen is going to have to
work hard to defeat the Axis Pow
ers. There are many of the Ne
gro race who would like to forget
everything but helping America
win this war; but no, there are
hundreds of things like her re-
fusal to give colored people, who
represent one-tenth of the popula-
ton, a fair deal in armed forces
and in national defense work.
The Negro is utterly confused
and disheartened when he hears
and reads that men, as we'll as
women are needed in various
phases of the defense program and
yet he is denied the opportunity
because of his race.
Hence, the present emergency
demands an immediate reform.
The age-old pattern of color pre-
judice must not become a part of
our national defense program.
The mobilization of man-power
should afford a timely occasion for
the exercise of the democratic the
DRY of opportunity for all. Dis
elimination between races is an
avowed and a basic part of the
Nazi theory; but if Germany
breaches and practices racial ha-
tired as one of it's basic postulates
can forego its racial bigotry for
the sake of national security in
time of stress, what excuse can
democratic America have for de-
liberately ignoring colored labor?
ALBERT BLACK,
2445 Madison Ave-,
Baltimore, Md.
Editors Note: Many readers will rec
| ognize the writer of the above article as
| Albert Black, a former resident of Duluth,
Minnesota, a graduate of our University
| who left here several months ago with
| high hopes to assume a position with the
| Glenn Martin airplane plant in Baltimore.
When Black reported at the plant despite
| his long trip he was turned away because
he was American but Negro also.
Wants Names