The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-12-11

A VERY CAPABLE and success
full Negro business man who has
made good in a field OF business
seldom penetrated by business men
OF the race, was asked how he had
attained such high degree Of sue
cess in his business-"Well," he re-
piled. II did not waste time COM
planning about injustices and the
Lack Of opportunity. Or brooding
over the barriers thrown up against
Negroes in this particular field. ]
simply decided that WANTED to
build this type of/business; that
some way, somehow. It could be
done; got down to work and proved
my case for recognition"
The principle here illustrated is
important It holds the key to
racial betterment. so far as action
on the part of we, the Negro. are
concerned The question is not
whether injustices exist but what
Is the best course for the Negro TO
pursue in order to remove injustice
and break down barriers.
Many leaders Of the Race have
decided that the way lies through
complaint-through agitation-and
radical action Others insist
that education. upright living, and
a steady effort to make friends OF
those who would hold US back, Is
the road to travel.
There Is merit Ia both these
courses, II they balance each other.
But the Negro makes his greatest
gains by displaying a willingness
TO rely upon himself and his own
resources The attitude OF
prejudice and injustices be damned,
counts much toward steeling us
against any opposition The
more we depend upon and believe
in our ability to do in spite OF
everything. asking little OF others
the more help and respect we will
receive from others.
I realize that we cannot live TO
ourselves nor build separately
Neither will we be assisted or re-
spected II we wait and expect
others to build for us 1t Is
still true that the world helps
hose who help themselves.
There is nothing wrong with In
sisting that public hotels open their
doors to Negro citizens the same
as to white citizens But we do
more to open these doors by fol-
lowing the example Of group OF
Negro business men in Detroit who
purchased half million dollar
hotel near the heart Of the city,
han could be done by hundred
protest meetings and dozen COM
mittees.
We should Insist on adequate
housing and decent neighborhoods.
But the Race is advanced nearer
It's goal when they follow the ex-
ample OF a group OF public spirited
citizens in Detroit who have or
gained a large corporation which
is building new homes for Negroes
and opening new and desirable
ne! ghborhoods for their children
We as group must depend more
and more upon ourselves and our
resources We are lost II we
stand back and wait on those who
would hold us back 10 have q
change OF hear; and step out In
our behalf Too long we have
marked time and waited on the
good white folks 10 save us. give
us, and do for US We must
do as this Negro business man has
done Decide upon our course
and then get down 10 work doing
il. with full faith and confidence
that some way. somehow II can be
done.
The more often we demonstrate
our sbility 10 stand upon our own
feet, the more respect and assist
ance we will receive from our white
American brothers But the
start. the first move. must always
De ours.
! SOMETIMES YOU MEET a nan