The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14

9IO44S a.lu pAVsS VI TIC ->eoIO people
is an attempt to discourage and
dscredit efforts Of al civic and pa
triot.c groups to work for the full
participation Of the Negro people
in the war effort BY making the
Negro people the scape-goat for
those truly responsible for the in
surrection the prosecutor has given
the go-ahead signal to those who
would hinder our war effort by
repet.tions az the June 2lst tragedy
In order 70 protect the safety OF
the citizens Of Detroit, to strength
en- our united war effort by expos
ing those who have attempted t.
disrupt it. and restore the conf
dence OF the nation and Of our al
lies in our ability to make democ-
racy work in Detroit. the Negro
Youth Council for Victory and De-
mocracy pledges its full support TO
a grand jury investigation.
Hon William E. Bowling
Prosecuting Attorney for
Wayne County
County Building
Detroit, Michigan
Dear Sir: e
The Committee On InterraciaI
Problems of the Metropolitan De-
troit Youth Council, composed OF
some OF the largest white and Ne
gro youth organizations in the city
must take issue with your recent
remarks about the NAACP and the
Negro press. II is OF great concern
10 Negro and white youth alike
who have taken long steps together
toward racial harmony and unity
that your comments show such dis
regard Of the depressing effect such
a statement would have on Negro
morale on the one hand. OF the en-
couragement il would give TO in
temperate white persons on the
other and Of the retarding effect
on our united war effort in gen.
eral.
You know. as we'll as we. that
Negroes have been the object OF
neglect. discrimination. ard un.
equal treatment in voting. housing.
employment. and in countless 9TH
er phases OF American life. That
is the plain incontrovertible truth.
1t is the central fact against which
everything else must be Judged.
In the face OF this set Of eondi-
tons it is hardly surprising that
the NAACP and the Negro news
papers assume militant tone. No
vigorous people. ready for much
2 eater responsibilities than they
are allowed TO assume. succumb 10
Illustration and hopeleSSness with
out trying to rid themselves Of the
causes which produce Illustration
and hopeleSneSs. The outstanding
fact is that, in spite OF everything.
the Negro people remain loyal
Americans. devoted 70 our country
and ready 70 die for il if necessary.
Much of the credit for this atti-
tude must 20 10 the NAACP and
the Negro press. which have never
wavered in urging the Negro people
to throw all their strength into the
war effort. They have rallied their
people behind the real Issues Of
the war. in manner that gives the
war deep meaning for the Negro
people. All white people who are
eager 10 win the war in the short
est possible time realize the urgent
necessity Of full participation OF al
Negroes in the war. The whole
country needs their power ano
must utilize il TO the full.
YoI do the causes Of equal jus.
tice and racial harmony a grave
injury when you lend the weigh
OF your office 10 the search fol
scape-goats. Why do you not say
wha. the major causes are instead
Of castigating the minor effects
Again. this fact dwarfs every othe.
one: Negroes are subjected TO in.
suits and discrimination every day
OF the week--in factories. hotels
restaurants. public and private in.
s;;:u;ions. and by real estate in.
teveSts. employers. writers and by
some trade union leaders. In the
light of this. your statements about
the NAACP and the Negro pres,
would only be considered as tilt.
ing with windmills,' If they were
not so appalling in their effect or
the public and the public knowl'
edge. The public needs a grand jury
investigation to put all the facts in
their proper places. sift the guilty
from the innocent, separate causes
from effects. and reassure all citi.
zens that jusice will rule.
Yours truly.
The Committee On 1nterraciaI
Problems of the MD.Y.C.