The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-07

James : McClondon. 7. es,den' Of
the Dertoii branch NAAcP.
answered the NEWS cd'oris, Of
Thursday, July %. In tho following
lstier:
TENT OF LETTER
To he Editor:
i have read YOUR ~ 'orisl 81
THURSDAY. Ja'y q. crn.cd Negro
headers Duty n Which >oJ safe
tKSy ! NEve TEEcTT --0TrTTTTT -7S'IiT X IT
Prosecutor " liam r Dow Nc as
10 the causa;io1 ot the recon, race
riot. NuJ Rave n quoted me
when VA sBl that ] sac Mr.
DoVling charges have done more
harm 10 ne racial st~aton ;hsn
anything ne riot II VAS not
] who MADE mat statement You
should be more careful 20 get the
correct facts before Noa begin
criticism Of an ndiNIaUs..
Il interpret from your editorial
that Mr.. DoWl.rg only puts = gem
srous share OF the blame for the
race riot on coiored people, the
MACE. and the Negro press
In all Of the articles by Mr.. Dow
ling which | have read, however.
he has put ALL Of the blame for
the rioting on the above mentioned.
Everyone who is familiar With the
facts in the situation knows this IS
not true.
HCertainly our association cannot
be held responsible for the KID
gloves" policy OF the police COM
missioner. We cannot be held re-
sponsible for the utter lack OF
preparation OF our police depart
nent. and the city authorities TO
meet such situation when II
arose. You cannot blame our as
sociatio and the Negro press for
the police commissioner and the
mayor not knowing how TO get Ted
eral troops into the city after hold
ing meetings and discussions on TINS
matter for q year. You cann't
blame Us for the complete collapse
OF our Detroit police department
during the riot
As for propaganda and the
N.AAC.P. and the local Negro
Dress: when did II become a crime
90 ask that all citizens be treated
fairly in a democracy? When did
# become q crime to ask that loyal
colored Americans be given jobs
roumensurate with their skill and
training, when did II bscome .
crime 20 ask that Justice be meted
out In our courts 70 all individuals
alike regardless OF race, creed or
color? When did II become a crime
for coloret Americans TO seek de-
cent homes and environments IN
which TO rear their children prop
erly!
TO say that certain types Of be-
havior was fomented by the
N.AA.C.P.s propsgands and the
local Negro press, shows mar
velous misconccpuon OF the Ne
eros mind. No amount OF MA.
C.P. militancy and propaganda
could make the average Negro more
mindful OF discrimination an d
inequality than ACTUAL .discrimi-
nation ss practiced in the city.
1t is very unfair. Mr.. Editor. to
Cry TO stigmstize the N.A.A.C.P and
the Negro press. Both have advo-
Gated law and order. We have
urged Negroes 10 join all branches
OF the armed services which have
been open 10 them. We have advo-
Gated that all branches OF our
armed services be opened TO all
citizens without regard 10 race.
color or creed. We have urged our
people 10 buy war bonds and stamps
and they have nobly responded. We
have warned our people against alb
eenteeism. As matter OF fact Mr.
Editor. we have done everything as
American citizens that is. expected
OF any good American; and let me
remind you that We shall continue
20 do SO.
The Negroes fght for full equal
ity as espoused by he Negro press
and the N.AACP is similar TO the
fight OF Americas founding fathers
We. who bled ano died for de-
noocrscy, were told that ne time
was not ripe Then. ss nov. there
was a large tory class. like tie De-
sroit NEWS. Downing, and others
Who would uphold the status QUO
The founding fathers did OF make
their decisions based on fear
Neither do We. American citizens
~ho believe In democracy 90 not
eouivocste on democratic issues az
pompromise win those who would
deny W cur democratic rights.
Finally, Mr. Editor, We shall
continue 10 insist that We be &C
corded the same rlgho ana pr.vi-
leges % any other American CITIZEN
We are fghtng war sgs.ns'
hatred, subJus alton and domination
Surely al Americans ought 10 be
willing 20 rid our country ot these
evils. IL That is propsgsnos. Mr.
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