Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-05-29
About Northern Negro Soldiers

Out at the Flora Ordnance Plant, several hundred
Negro soldiers stationed there have completed their period
of quarantine training and now be regular Wis
ors the city Jackson the only place within proper
proximity of the camp with the limited but necessary facl
tiles and recreaona outlets aside from those recently pro-
vded at the USO club and the recently opened Soldiers Cen
North Parish Street provided for the expressed pu
pose of aiding and serving the entertainment recreaona
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 states and
of the fact that of them northern
states. deep concern has been felt and expressed in
quarters less the fact that these soldiers being from
the north and therefore uaccustomed the braca pat
established and observed in the city, because of their
presence might friction and provoke such incidents
that would create i'll feeling and resentment towards them
selves and generally disturb for the worse existing
relations 1t might also be true that in certain quarters
objection to the of many northern Ne
in the city, is 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 concern regarding the
presence of Northern Negro Soldiers the Flora Ordnance
Camp and regarding their coming to Jackson for entertain
ment and recreation should find consolation the conduct
of those who have visited the city several hundred
the past two weekends during which single in
cent worth mentioning has been reported and when the
conduct the soldiers obviously the closest observa
ton, has been genenanly could be found in SINH
lar group of race from any section of the nation.
Although much has been said from certain quarters in
months regarding northern Negroes and their efforts
better their lot the same time extend help
and encouragement to their southern breheren the pub
lie acceptance of the Negro soldiers at the Flora Ordnance
Camp and the patriotic duty to extend to them the flu
of moral and spiritual while in
midst might better be based upon the knowledge of the
fact that in reality there difference between the
hopes and aspirations of the Southern and Northern Negro
both of whom looking forward to receiving the full mea
of christian democratic, American citizenship Ne
Their of whom is seeking social equality called in
termarriage the conventionates of social informing
ling Such truths, having been brought out with respects
to the Northern Negro by the most exhaustive and ne
gent study of Northern Negro Social and community life
Indeed of the Soldiers stationed at the Flora Camp
who born and reared of the principal cities of 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 Cored 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 they had been sent here and
midst by the War Department. not here of
their choice making it clear to those who heard him
that entitled the kind Of treatment deserved by all
those who the uniform of the Nation.
That they receive such treatment should be the first
major aim every citizen of the city and community