The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-28

Notwithstanding the very human
reluctance of Hon. Prime Minister
OF England, Mr.. Winston Churchill.
10 preside over the liquidation o.
His Majestys British Empire"
Great Britain has, with charac-
teristic quiet, yet effective dignity.
undertaken a number OF colonial
reforms leading towards greater
measure OF independence for her
masses OF people. comprising mainly
Negroes and East Indians. in the
Caribbean.
Such reforms have notably taken
the shape Of the generous extension
Of the franchise in Jamaica 10 in
clude 100000 Gas against former
figure OF 10000 members Of its
one million and quarter popula-
tion. ard the appointment by the
Colonial Office OF the Negro presi-
dent Of the S.evedores union 10 an
executive seat in the legislature
IN appointment almost tantamount
a. the selection OF A. Philip Ran
dolph as Secretary OF Labor in the
USA.. or Shelton Tapes as a MEM
Der OF the Presidents cabinet.
These reforms did not take place
a result OF political largess.
born OF the Four Freedoms. but
are hard-earned concessions gained
BY a labor movement on the make.
Moreover. these reforms. un!mpos-
ing as they might appear to those
unaware OF the pernicious labor
pains OF the Caribbean wagc-earrer,
have futuristic overtores that cam
rot be dismissed lightly. Grea,
Britain is diligently preparing her
self for the economic war OF nerves
which will usher In the Four Free
ooms and has begun 70 realize that
where self-salva,ion is vitality con-
ccrned. political prejudices are
mere business 10 be dispensed with.
In this connection. 4 is significant
that in the least OF her colonies
from the viewpoint OF population,
Great Britain has started 10 liqui-
date. however reluctantly. the
whit, sepulchres which imprisoned
the Negro wage-earner in the West
Indies and British Guiana and hai
thus incidentally begun 70 lift the
veil holding back the dawn OF n
fuller economic prestige 70 her own
workers at home Articulate labor
ers in the colonies will necessarily
mean art:culate laborers in Eng
land. When raw materials wrested
by d!nt OF the blood. sweat, tears
and toll BY toiling bodies in The
tropical sun. can 10 longer flow
easily 20 strange lands 10 be sold
81 monopoiistic prices 20. 7other
workers. regardless OF their color
az skin. white laborers in England
and black lsborers in the West
Indies will begin 10 learn that after
al Is said and done. the task OF
making Sir Edward Cigars Land
az Hope ard Glory" indeed the
mother Of the free is a common
one. as primal as life :tseit know
ing no color. charged with knowing
no geographical frontiers, This
question has not been clearly IN
derstood in the past, but such are
the ways Of mani
One Of the most tragic exhibitions
OF a national pride born OF non.
knowledge is seen even among
Negro Americans as the posing OIL
This question. DR.. Eric Williams.
one OF the most profound scholar:
on things West Indian, gives a
charming reason for a better
knowledge OF the Caribbean scene
Says he:
so large Negro population
must NECESSARILY be an object OF in
terest 70 the Negro minority OF the
United States. II the traffic between
the two Negro groups has been
one-way in the past. from islands
20 the North American mainland
the future will surely see a greater
movement in the other direction,