The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-06

Fora Neale Hurston Is one OF the
winners of the John Anisfield
Awards in Racial Relations for
l943. Miss Hurston's Dust Tracks
on a Road" was chosen for the
$1,000 award as the best book OF the
year concerned with racial prob
lens in the field OF creative litera-
ture. Negroes in Brazil" by Donald
Pierson was selected as the best
scholarly book in the field Of race
relations. The prize in this field was
81 900 also. Both these books were
reviewed in this column during the
past year. Mr.. Persons book is
especially timely because it tells
how effectively another country has
met the problem Of race differences.
X y n
We have Just finished reading the
winter issue of South Today In
which there is an analysis OF the
psychology OF the South and par
ticularly OF the southern liberal
Buying a New World With Old
Confederate Bills" In the past the
southern liberal Nas Secure in the
knowledge that no mater what
ideals he advocated in theory. he
would not likely have to see them
become realities in his lifetime. he
went quietly about his self.
appointed function as agent through
whom secondary reforms could
take place s.. He perfected his deli
cate talent for doing the exact
amount of good that would bring
ease TO the Souths conscience, In
the exact rhythm at which the
South was willing TO have good
done, without doing enough good &c
disturb the South's way OF life"
Another article Addressed 10 In
telligent White Southerners" lists
the things that they can do to ease
the growing racial tension. There
are the simple things which as the
authors point out will bring nc
ostracism, things that even the most
timid can do. There are other things
listed for the few, these things take
courage and leadership: speaking
out against segregation Of Negroes
breaking the taboo OF action by
eating with Negroes. sitting with
them: protesting segregation In
churches and speaking out for DEM
ocratic labor unions.
The authors have clever sug'
gestion For the mentally III (and
those who talk excitedly about
segregation are mentally lid. kline
OF olor-weaning may be necessary
The green curtain in dining car:
(whose present use embarrasse!
every decent white) can be an ex'
ce1lent shelter behind which the
few psychotic whites who get ex'
cited when they look at folks OIL
another color. can eat in peace.
We have written OF the merit Of
South Today before but II deserve!
additional mention. It's subscription
price is ST.. very small sum fol
the excellent articles and manner
Of presentation not 10 speak OF II:
value as intelligent propaganda
Its editors, Lillian Smith and Paula
Smelling, have courage. and honesty
For seven years they have paid the
costs out OF their incomes. We think
such an enterprise deserving OF the
active support OF organizations and
individuals. Active subscribers pay
SIS and are allowed six subscriptions
sustaining subscribers pay from $l(
10 Sl0O The South must be wor
over from within and Misses Smith
ard Smelling are doing magnificen
job.
The Nation for February 20 ha.
an article. "The Novel Case OF Win.
fred Lynn" which tells how thi!
Negro gardner from Jamaica. L. /.
has challenged the Jim Crow prac'
tees OF the army. His case raise!
the question OF discrimination ir
the selection OF drsftees. The case
was first handled by Conrad Lynn
Winfred's brother. who has since
been indicted. II is now in the
hands OF Arthur Garfield Hays WHIT
is asking for a writ OF habeas corpu.
on the ground that Winfred is beinl
illegally detained since the method
OF his induction was contrary e
section IA OF the draft act which
states there shall be no diScrimins
ton in calling q draftee UP. The