davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
KEEP ALIVE BY
KEEPING SILENT

DETROIT CAN ONLY stand two
riots in two years and still turn out
arms necessary 10 defeat the Axis.
Therefore. any talk about "this
thing isn't over vet" should be cold
watered or reported 20 the authori-
ties. The rumor machines have al
ready turned out propaganda that
rioting will break out again as soon
as troops have been withdrawn.
This is the same rumor machine
that inflamed Negroes with the
story OF baby being drowned
at Belle Isle and then spread the
sane story. only in reverse. among
white people.
There Is every reason 70 believe
that. eventually, those guilty OF
inStisating last weeks disturbance
will be apprehended and punished:
there IS also reason TO believe that
certain police officers will be
brought to justice in the cofa-
blooded Staying OF Negroes. Com
petent attorneys are on the Job 10
tpreven. raiiroading OF innocent VIC
tins and see to IL that the guilty
are punished
You. Mr.. John Q Public, have
only one Job 70 do; that is 70 10
about your business and try 10
build better relations among the
different peoples who make up the
population OF Detroit You will not
help relations nor help prevent yio-
lcnce by repeating rumors OF more
disturbances. II you hear ANYONE.
whether white or colored. talking
about this thing hasn't ended re-
port that person to the authorities.
for he or she Is melting 70 riot
II you don't report The rumor-
monger, at least don't repeat hls
rumor.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
THE BATTLE OF DETROIT
Editorial From PM,
New York Newspaper)

nave oeen looking through The
pictures OF the battle OF Detroit.
They are not pretty, and they are
nothing for Americans TO be proud
OF.
don't mean just the blood and
the pain that you see on the faces
of the men. Nor do | mean Just
the more than a score dead and
the hundreds OF wounded in the
hospitals. Pain and suffering and
The fact Of death Itself are less i'm
portant than the cause for which
they are endured.
But this cause IS so meaningless.
so detormed.
The key 20 the tragedy of De-
troit IS the fear and hatred that
you can read on the faces OF the
men and women in the pictures.
II is the mask OF Calbsn enve,op-
ing a mob tina: is wreakins its
cruelty upon the helpless and the
innocen. This hatred-no, OF the
common enemy. BIZ: OF our own
American brothers-is twisted
emotion that shows up a.. The us,i-
ness Of the American soul.
VIVA; dots We are. 20 dehumanize
/ ourselves. And IN what cause?
IN Hitler's, as Far SIS immediate
consequences 60. The men who
set these riots of. whether they
De BundiSts or Ku Klux Hammers.
followers Of Paul Joseph Goebbels
or Gerald I. X. Smith. are doing
Hitler's work here. Tia: much is
/ simple.
Hitler would be foolish !. he did
not use this weapon. especially
a; a tune when be is desperate. Il
IS as IL he were 10 send sabo;eurS
among us-only instead Of destroy
ing bridges hey destroy our sense
81 decency, and instead OF disrupt
Ing communications they d.s-4p:
our living and working .ose,he-
BIZ: ! say these things mainly 70
point - the very minimum of sc-
ton we mus. take-Federal and
local action against The known
groups who spread violence in our
war cen;ers do not say them
70 absolve the American people OF
/ blame.
II IS 100 easy 20 find al!b.s tia;
wash guilt away from those who
took par. in the riots. and from
the whole American nation. We
cry: "Nazi einstigato-s." We cry:
'Kluxers." We create something
fancy and objective, like race ten
sions" and race prejudice" that
We discuss in a detached way.
The Kluxers and The BGni.s:s
undoubtedly Ii. The match in every
instance. Blu: in every instance
our America furnished the inflam.
mable material.
What have we done 20 ease the
daily crucihxion OF the Negro in
our midst. which leaves in him
a smouldering bitterness? VIVA;
have we done 20 give him fair
employment, in our war industries
and eLSew VIA. have We
done 10 b own Jim Crowism
in the a rceS: What have
We done. y word and deed. 70
make him see hat he has share
in this war and in the world2
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03

white citizens are hard 70 convince
ou. also because many colorcd
citizens have. by playing up the
color line themselves threatened
- undo The wise work being &C.
conlp,ished N their behalf By wise
leaders Of both races"
The point that We play directly
into the enemy's hands by such
outbreaks is stressed by the Toledo
Blade. say ms Democracy has SUI
.ered tragic defeat" The enc
N.Y." says the Kansas City Star,
is already making props ganda use
Of these disorders. in Africa. Asia
and Latin America" The Toronto
Daily Star, dwelling on their Sig
niacance in the larger hght, be-
lieves The Detroit tragedy will
harm the Allied cause among ron-
whites everywhere. During a war
which is being Tough; for the eman-
cipation OF oppressed peoples. race
riots IN one Of the United Nations
are particularly dan gerouS."
The Chicago Tribune takes the
position that II We are unable 20
maintain an enduring peace in this
country between races. there is
little hope for an am,cable future
i'm which America Is tied in IAN
organic union with other countries
whose peoples know nothing abou:
our language and institutions
lCentinned on Page %
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
HOODLUMS. STATEMENTS
AND KILLINGS

THERE ARE THOSE who believe
that the mayors statement during
the riot was too weak and in
effective. while there are others
who believe shat IL most people
who made statements had no more
10 say than was quoted il. the
newspapers, they should have kept
quiet. This brings up the point OF
the Statement. which quoted Horace
White as saying that Negro hood
lums were continuing the riot.
I happened 10 be in the sound
car from which Rev. White at
tempted 20 encourage Negroes 10
return 20 their homes and take
no par. in the violence. Typical OF
the reactions 10 his pleas are as
follows: I've got a boy in the
South where white policemen and
civilians are killing Negro troops;
VIVA. ABOUT, ctr soldiers who are
killed right here by he people they
are training 20 fight TO protect
that statement from mother;
WAY don't they give me lob in
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
Most Dailies Blame Detroit
Riots On Congestion, 9Th Column

We going TO put striking labor lead
ers in the Federal pen for Inter
ferring with the production OF
munitions" and let rioting hood
lums of?
2. AS the quickest. best way to
MAKE 1T A FEDERAL RAP
We suggest immediate enactment
OF a National Service act, under
which all workers would be as
signed to their tasks in the total
war. Then let any man who dares
to keep a Negro from his job I'M
derstand that he is going to have
a visit from Uncle Sam, for in
terfering with the operations Of the
statute.
We've often suggested a National
Service act to meet the strike issue.
Notice how it meets the race issue,
too. II Ats The needs of total war.
/: IS the answer TO disrupters and
wreckers OF every kind.
3. And then we need, bitterly,
a bigger-than-ever domestic branch
OF the Office Of War Information
10 rout out the ignorance and mis-
conceptions on which the devil OF
discrimination thrives. We say
there is
A STORY TO TELL
In this field. and that the high
class rioters in Congress who are
sabo:aging the owl will share in
responsibility for further disorders.
II they don't let this bureau do
It's work as it must in the national
emergency.
We need that agency. desperately
to drive home to all America the
fact that any youth who takes
part in racial disorder on the
streets is working for Hitler as ef-
fectively as II he were Naz!
soldier, dropped by parachute.
We need an agency which will
broadcas: it from one end Of the
land to the other when a victory
has been won against discrimina-
ton; as victories have been won.
lately. in hundred industries,
from aviation 10 handling railway
mail. to participating in mechanics
unions in number of cities, 10
doing skilled jobs in automobile
ac.orieS and shipyrds.
We need an agency which will
expose use by management for its
own Interests Of white-and-Negro
hostility, as the Owl recently ex-
posed in the Mobile, Ala. ship
yard case.
We need an agency which viii
unsel discrimination Just as pas
sionately as it sells war bonds. for
both activities are part Of the war
against fascism.
And now we ind that war on
our own doorstep. Shall We be
softer with the evil thing here
than over there!
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03

circumstances he would perhaps
have held himself in check and
would have cooled of and perhaps
ironed out his family difficulty
without resoriing TO violence.
While Mary herself, perhaps IN.
duly influenced by the same var
time pressure of living might have
had less reason 20 speak roughly
and tsuniinsly 70 her tired husband
and would have thus avoided the
unpleasant scene.
Thus, il behooves each OF us 20
be more tolerant. more understand
ing in our dealings with others.
For we should realize that the
same external forces which makes
US irritable and short tempered is
having the same effect upon our
mates. And in knowing this. each
OF us should allow ourselves -
cool of. lest a regrettsble tragedy
follow in the wake Of our inioi-
erauce towards others,
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
NEWSPAPERS ELSEWHERE
SEE A LESSON IN OUR RIOTS
From The Detroit News)

Our is not to censure," says the
Milwaukee Journal, sounding what
appears 70 be the keynote OF the
nations editorial reaction to the
Detroit race riots. ''Ours is to
hang our heads in sadness and
shame that this has happened, In
our country. And at q time when
we are demonstrating democracy
to all the world. And are asking
10 000, 900 boys to risk their lives
for t."
I'VE need not confne the issue
20 Detroit. New York has some
lessons 10 learn" says the New
York Times. Conditions in De-
troit brought TO the breaking point
a tension which exists IN many
other communities" i: continues.
Detroit is desperately short OF
housing. Thousands OF new resi-.
dents, coming 20 the city 70 work
in the war industries. have con-
gested all the public facilities. OPP
por:unities for wholesome recrea-
ton have been deficient
Gangs Of hoodlums, white and
colored. have grown up. as they
always will under such circum-
stances. Sinister individuals and or
CARNATIONS doing the work Of the
Axis, il not actually allied with
i. have taken full advantage Of
the situation Detroit needs
TO Listen 20 is enlightened citizens
Of both races ;. Keeping peace
and good Will among al sorts and
conditions Of people at home is
an indispensable part Of the war
effort. Those who hamper this
work whatever their race or creed
are not good Americans"
In the same vein. The Cincinnati
Enquirer. which traces the riots 10
forces latent in many communities.
has 20 say. All decent Americans,
wherever they may be. share some
OF Detroits shame" And, speaking
generally. the Washington Post re-
marks, we shall succeed in con-
quering Na1ism no; simply by
military triumphs. but by cleansing
the poison from our own national
blood stream"
Cleveland. less than $50 miles
away, takes the Detroit riots closes.
20 home. Scorning generalit!es.
The News says, Some leaders OF
the Negro unfortunately have no;
always spread the wise counsel
TIA: the way UP for their race
was 20 prove itself adequate for
new responsibilities in a steadily.
even If slowly. increasing degree.
Some leaders Of a shabby fringe
q the white race have been IN
wiling 20 grant the Negro an OPP
por:uni;y to achieve an equality
with his fellow Americans All OF
these so-called leaders have had
their following. al have eXsggera:-
ed grievances 70 ipflame and mis-
guide"
The News bespeaks he PLANES:
taking and The wholehear;ed CO.
operation o. all leaders OF good
WI. This in the end will smother
the race problem" /: contends.
Violence and ,ana:icism never
VIII" .---
Says The Plain Dealer. also OF
Cleveland. "De:roi;'s spontaneous
combustion was neither purely To-
cal nor one-sided' I. 100. speaks
plainly 20 both races. Until re-
Gently al signs have pointed toward
success for the American Negro in
his efforts 10 gain acknowledgment
~ his rights. He has not been
making this fight alone-iar from
L. Prom President Roosevelt down.
intelligent white Americans have
joined in ;he battle 20 wipe out
seuSeless race prejudice.
"Bd; this Agh; is in danger Of
beng lost not only because many
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
ANTI-SEMITIsM. VANDALISM.
THE POLICE DEPT.

AN lIISMs NhNDhLISMs
THE POLICE DEPT.
A FEW MONTHS ago this column
discussed the spread OF anti-Jewish
propaganda among Negro people,
especially those working in defense
plants. Defense plants were men,
toned because most people (es-
pecially Negroes heard damning
the Jews either going TO or coming
from work, evidence that the
source OF the propaganda must be
agents doing Hitler's work in local
plants.
When rio;ing broke out last
week. Negroes, seeking vengeance
on White people. went after Jew
ish property with passion seldom
witnessed even in the height OF
rioting against Negroes in the deep
bowels OF the South. This destruc-
ton OF property was carried out
with system, otherwise Negro
business places could not have es-
capped the angry mob, for, con-
trary 70 many stories, only a few
Negro places bore the sign col
ored.' Some Negro businesses were
damaged but most Of them escaped
destruction by the rioters. The
businesses Of many Jews were
wrecked by Negroes who knew
that these Jews were not in SYM
pathy with white mobbists; many
completely demolished before po-
lice began 10 rout yandals and
looters.
Now, that mention OF the police
brings up an interesting point.
Rumors. though unconfirmed, are
to the effect that many police Off
GERS actually encouraged wreck
ing Of stores along Hastings street;
one man who's word is good in
court, and thus good enough for
this column, is ready TO swear that
he saw one police officer enter a
tavern broken into by rioters and
pass out beer and wine TO Ne
groes. Dozens OF witnesses swear
that they saw officers grin and
turn their backs on hooters and re-
mark to each. other. They're
wrecking the damn Jews"
Let US add these incidents ant
see what We have. We have polio,
officers recognizing that they had
in that riot, an opportunity 4
carry out program Of extermins
ton Of both Negroes and Jews: ID
the Negroes wreck the Jews mar
cially and then the police viii tai
care OF the Negroes with their gun!
Does this make sense? The YER
fact that only three Negroes wer
killed Sunday night while Hasting
and other streets were bein,
wrecked indicates that police wer
hiding their time TO start shooting
When this writer began a tour o
the Negro districts before $50 Mon
day morning there wasn't a Jewisl
business left intact.
Late in the morning. and in tn,
early afternoon, police began 4
shoot Negroes in the back for ever
standing near looted store Will,
others were shot while footing
They don't hang Negroes and Jew
in Detroit. The propagandists pi
one against the other and ther
come in for the kill. A more sin
lister program OF violence was nevel
planned, nor carried out.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
The
Problem

himself wasn't any 100 pleased with
the children. For TOO late he had
realized that the small boy and
the s;.l! smaller girl didn't get
along so well ;oge:her
The boy, John was Mays child,
born out Of wedlock by man with
whom Mary had lived two years
before she had met and started l!v-
ing common-lsw with Harry.
Sally. the second child was the
own flesh and blood Of Harry and
Mary knHbe.ter
Il was the diSagreements and
petty fights between the two chill
Grcn which kept The household up
set and unnerved so often. For
Mary would naturally side with the
boy and Harry would take up FOR
his child the LITTLE girl.
You &C; like you don't care
anything about our child at all
Harry had demonstrated with his
wife on one occasion after the two
children had been in fight
Seems like you are nuts about
that boy Guess is just be-
cause you are still ,ovin' his ia
Their" Harry taun;ed her.
Mary looked funny. Then she
spoke slow and deliberate VIVA:
ii am still lov!n' Jim. He meant
more 20 me than you ever will.
And ! don't care who knows II"
Mary answered.
Harry's face turned purple. His
thick lips pulled out. He clenched
his fists and walked slowly towards
Mary standing there at the kitchen
sink.
I'm sick and tired OF you giving
John the best Of everything and
letting Sally go withou. things
Harry spoke. "I;d better never
happen again." he warned her.
Mary stood there a; the sink with
her back turned towards Harry.
In do as darn please" she
blurted out, turning 70 face him.
over my dead body you will"
Harry exploded. His hand flew
up and smacked her face hard.
Mays face turned livid. She
bit her lip, trying hard to keep
back the tears. Specks OF blood
showed on her lips. Slowly she
turned towards the sink and picked
up the long butcher knife lying
on the drainboard.
Swift, like a flash, she lunged
out towards Harry. The blade
caught him on the left arm.
God damn you," Harry NUT
tered. Then went into her. his
GSts swinging fast and furious.
One blow caught Mary on the
chin. She went down, sobbing
Harry! l.. Harry! please
don't please DON'T"
Standing up over her. Harry sud-
denly realized what he had done.
He walked away from her and
left the house.
Harry was thinking abort all
This as he rode the street car on
his way home from the plant
"Wonder IL Mary's forgiven me by
now" he asked.
He hadn't been home since he'd
slapped Mary. And he didn't know
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03

defense plant instead OF telling
me they can: hire colored? I've
had 200 hours training" that state
ment from young woman: You
want US 20 stop rioting, then go
over on WOOD ward avenue and tell
the whites TO stop trying to get
over 10 this side Of town: we've got
to protect our homes and that mob
is getting close" that statement
was made by a man with family:
Why can't we see some colored
policemen instead OF these white
so-and-sos who are killing Negroes
and protecting the whites?" and
that statement was made by a
young man, who, like thousands
Of others, vas inflamed by reports
OF extreme police brutality.
Back az police headquarters
White made his statement while
John K. Graham. knowing that po-
lice would continue to murder Ne
groes, dickered with Commissioner
Witherspoon and Mayor Jeffries to
deputize 200 Negroes as special
police to help keep order in the
Negro districts. II was Attorney
Graham who got the police depart
ment to deputize these Negroes and
NOT Otis Saunders.
don't agree that a woman 10 a
"hoodlum" because she sees the
injustice of the treatment Of her
soldier son in the South and tries
10 keep the same thing from hap
pening in the city where she lives.
/ don't contend that a young
woman is ''hoodlum" because she
Is vindictive Of insults heaped upon
her at local defense employment
office. I don't hold that a man is
"hoodlum' because he refuses to
listen to pleas TO cease violence
while police are actually protect
ing a white mob just two blocks
from his home. And / don't agree
that a young man is a "hoodlum"
because he expressed the belief
that he would feel safer guarded
by a Negro policeman than by
white policemen who had a field
day killing Negroes. II this is true
We are all "hoodlums," no matter
what side Of the tracks We live on
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
Case
History


the plant TO his home on East
Vernon Highway, There's no place
like home. Sure wish I was there
now" Harry spoke softly 10 HIM
self.
Then he began 10 wonder abou.
his wife, Mary. Wonder how she
was making Il these days" he
asked himself. Then knew that
all wasn't going as well in his
home as he would have like 10
have had Il.
She seems 70 have something
on her mind . And she just
ain't her sweet self anymore.
Harry was telling himself. Guess
is just because the weather Is
SO hot, And woman like. Mary
was upse. and shor. tempered
But then, as he continued 20
think about his married life OF the
past few weeks, Harry knew that
many things had happened to up
set the normal happiness OF his
home.
First, Mary had seemed dissatis-
nc with him. Nothing he did
pleased her. She even neglected
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
Case Of Short Tempered Husband
lease Number Twelve)

HARRY KNUBETTER 4S old worker high spirits
he boarded the bus started
helping the implements country needed
urgently to bring victory the Allied Nations.
It'll be good home awhile
he thinking himself leaning weary against side
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
COVERING THE TOWN
FROM THE ACTrONrc

FROM THE ACTIONS Of most
people, both white and eolored.
everyone seems TO feel Just q little
bit silly about the whole riotous
affair. Negroes and white people
seem to be so determined TO make
up" for the disgraceful actions OF
their race they are actually over
doing the thing. On more than a
dozen streetcars since the riot I
have noticed passengers OF both
races. extremely polite to one an
other. A week ago il you had
stepped on someone's foot you
would have received a look that
would have penetrated TO the other
side. Now. when someone seemingly
ohends someone else, BOTH smile
and apologize. Even conductors will
make it point to keep Smilin'"
while motormen who used to pass
you up il you failed TO jump when
they opened the door will wait for
you. What Persian philosopher said
it takes a calamity to bring people
TO their senSes?.. Time was when
colored cab driver couldn't drive
up to the Michigan Central station
without having to fight with a
white cabby. Now they are BEG
GING colored hack men to keep q
cab at the station. Whites are
afraid to take on colored pasSen-
gers. Appointment Of interracial
committee Though somewhat be-
lated has been hailed as a sign OF
progress in race relations. Next inn
portant move SHOULD BE
GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION
OF the POLICE FORCE. Citizens
committee and Interracial commit
tee should demand prosecution Of
three men (white) indicted last
year for sedition.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03

{ n e children
and was cross
and u gly 10
them. II AIRY
know that he
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03

OF the bus and
closing his tired
eyes.
II was a good
Anllr's ride from
Washington Journal., 1943-12-10

Citizens OF German blood IN JnlB
war, as in every other war in which
the United States have had a part,
certainly should not let themselves be
out-done by other groups. We are
all American citizens and we stand
as one in the defense Of our nation.
Washington Journal., 1943-12-10
We Are All Americans

We hold all wars to be
deplorable. Once a nation
is drawn into war, however,
unless an honorable peace
may be secured betimes, it
would be disastrous to be
beaten in that war. There
fore we hold it the duty Of
all loyal American citizens
to do all in their power to
help our country, the United
States of America, to win
its present war.
Washington Journal., 1943-12-10
Wir sind allie Amerikaner

Wir betrachten ale Krie-
ge ais bedauerlich. Aber, x
wenn elm Volk NIT Krieg
iberzogen wird und bis es
einen ehrenhaften Frieden
erringen mag, ware es YER IN
heerend, zu unterliegen. Da- E4nln
her halten wir es fur die VIM
Pficht aller treuen ameri- Wu
kanischen Burger, allies in
ihrer Macht zu tun, unserem
Lande, den Vereinigten
Staten Won Nord-Amerika,
yum Siege zu verhelfen.
Unsere Regierung hat die Wehr-
macht unseres Landes yum Schutze
ihrer Rechte und Freiheiten aufge-
boten. ALE Amerikaner ohne Inter
schied der Geburt und Herkunft,
darunter die Landesbirger deutschen
Blutes, stehen in diesem Kriege elm
miitig hinter ihrer Regierung. Anne
rika ists unser Land, das Land unse-
rer Kinder, das zu schiitzen jetzt
unsere h0chste Aufgabe ist.