Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-06-12
About Northern Negro Soldiers

Out at the Flora) Ordnance Plant several hundred
Negro soldiers stationed there have completed their period
quarantine and basic training will be regular
iors to the city of Jackson the only place within proper
proximity of the camp, with the limited but necessary ia
ctes and recreatona outlets aside from those recently
provided at the USO club and the recently opened Soldiers
Center North Parish Street. provided for the expressed
purpose of aiding and serving the entertainment
tional needs of Negro Soldiers
Since the assignment of Negro Soldiers to the Flora
Ordnance Camp weeks much has been said about
the fact that most of them from Northern and
because of the fact that of them from northern
states deep concern has been felt and expressed in
quarters less the fact that these soldiers being from
the north and therefore to the bracia pat
terms established and observed the city, because of their
presence might friction and provoke such incidents
that would create i'll feeling resentment towards them
Selves and generally disturb the worse existing race
relations Nigh also be true, that in certain quarters
some objection to the of many northern Ne
in the city, being entertained the idea that they
might unduy influence the Negro citizens of the city with
whom they come in contact.
Those who have such fears and regarding the
presence of Northern Negro soldiers at the Flora Ordnance
Camp and regarding their coming Jackson for entertain
ment and recreation should find consolation in conduct
OF those who have visited the city, several hundred
over the past two week-ends during which not single in
cldent worth mentioning has been reported when the
conduct of the soldiers obviously under the closest observa
uon has been gentlemany could be found in SINH
lar group of from any section the nation
Although much has been said from certain quarters in
recent months regarding northern Negroes their efforts
to better their lot the same time extend help
and encouragement to their southern brethren the pub
h acceptance of the Negro soldiers at the Flora Ordnance
Camp and the patriotic duty to extend to them the fullest
of moral and spiritual encouragement while
midst might better be based upon the knowledge of the
fact that in reality there is difference between the
hopes and aspirations of the Southern and Northern Negro
both of whom looking forward to receiving the full
sure of christian democratic, American citizenship Mel
Their Of whom is seeking social equality called in
termariage, the conventionaties informing
ling Such truths having been brought with respects
to the Northern Negro by the most exhaustive intel
gent study of Negro Northern Social and community life
Indeed of the Soldiers stationed at the Flora Camp
who born and reared in of the principal cities the
northwest which is snguary free from segregation and
discrimination heard to that of the things he
liked most about the city the fact that Coored people
had their community homes etc. and did not have to
mix with white people,
Speaking at the dedication of the Soldiers Center last
Sunday, the Commanding Officer of the Flora Camp af
ter pointing out that the Negro soldiers from the
north also pointed out that thev had been and
to midst by the War Department and not here of
their choice making clear to those who heard him
that they entitled to the kind of treatment deserved
by all those who the uniform of the Nation.
That they receive such treatment should be the first
and major aim of citizen of the city and community
EDITORS NOTE This editorial which appeared in recent
issue of the Jackson Advocate reprinted the suggestion
of number of leading eitizens.