The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1943-12-18
OPINIONS OPINIONATED
THE 90 coIumn)

BY JAMES EcERT ALLEN

Africa again into the spotlight. Beneath the
shadow of the Pyramids the political digntaries
ea tpowers convened to shape the destnes of the world
They speak of the freedom of all mankind and the release
of down rodden nations from the might Hitler and the
moguls of the Rising Sum- But let survey the home front
and note the actions of democratic America Here in New
York the wise governor of the sovereign of Georgia
arrives from his native haunts to insist that the South
must emade into colony of the United States Be-
fore the New York Southern Society," he has the audacy
to berae national for the system of ex-
poitaon imposed upon the states below the Mason and
Dixons line In the light of the treatment visited upon
the sable of his domain it sheer hypocrisy to
ton the word exploitation. In the meantime the City
Council of his chief city, Atlanta passes resolution
push the regional division of the FEPC the state
because of biracal set-up among the employees who
by presidential fat attempting to win the war with
the united support of all races and creeds. B..
Turning the nations capital one can discern the
tempo of mind pervadng the solons who rejected the
soldiers vote BILL The ghost of Calhoun in that
legislative body and DEGREES that the individual states
should handle the matter of permitting the boys in uni
form to exercise the right of suffrage In other words the
meaning is clear that the South does want black
fighting and dying in many of the world say
who shall represent them in a democracy. The unwar
raned action of Northern Republican senators uniting
with the bigots of Dixie in denying this privilege to men,
ber of the fighting forces oreshadows the attitude many
of them will take when the Antipo tax measure comes
comes to cloture.
Out of the F.Fv's down Richmond way comes the
voice of the widely famed editor of the Times-Despatch
realizing that the problem of the colored citizen critical
and demands broader consideration by the South We
praise him for his advocating the end of the vicious Jim
Crow syste moi segregation of travel for his
stand employment in hospitals and the police force
but when he advances the argument that adoption of his
platform will trim the Sails of radical Northern coored
leaders, is time to take exception his program Since
when has become unconstitutional for citizen fight
for his constitutional rights? s
Which calls to mind the recent decision of the New
York State Court of Appeals which endorsed the housing
project instituted by the Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company City property is to be condemned taxes
be exempted and black people excluded from living in the
development with the civil rights law Of the state staring
US in the face The motto the naval hero in the Revo-
luton John Paul Jones, eve have just begun to fight is
most apropo at this time.
The Federal Council of Churches has launched its
program end racial bias with call to Chrstendom
oppose all forms of discrimination and segregation under
pain of losing the peace when the is Both in
the armed forces and industry, this religious body de-
mandng justice and equality An intensive campaign
from now until race relations Sunday next February
should awaken of the sacerdotal minded followers
to of their duty in making real the meaning of
Christianity Perhaps the church will get behind Arthur
Garfield Hayes in his fight MILFORD Lynn colored
soldier who has questioned the right of the
to segregate him in the army
In many respects New York's Broadway is the heart
Of the world In the theatrical section racial group
is exciting the curiosity of multtudes. few days
attended the exotic dancing performance of Katherine
Durham and her talented AS she leaves for tour
she carries respect of Broadway because of her talents
Producer director, intellectual and beautiful may all be
ascrbed to her. she leaves Billy Rose brings Carmen
Jones' to capture the theatrical headlines Of
Paul Robson in Otheo is the talk of the town. Paus
outside activities recently have been notable, especially
his splendid address the HeradTrbune Forum and his
burning appeal before Baseball Commissioner Lands in
behalf of colored ball players.
Will the future textbooks be rewritten as a peace
measure? Educational organizations beginning to ag
tate that question commission has already gone to
work in behalf of the What about the treatment Of
the black in the texts you have perused? Are
satisfied with the of omission and commission? Now
is the appointed time to begin campaign in your COM
munty the inclusion of all people in the future his
tories of mankind Many people of color do not believe
know that they have past worth recording Many of
Northern brothers actually dumb. Are you?