Arkansas State press., 1943-11-12
EDITORIALS =.
THE NEGRO PRESS
BY L. Baynard Whitney for C N S

IS By u. H0ynar0 Wnltney II y IN .
Despite the large circulation Of the combined Negro
press, It remains true that most colored folks are white
readers readers of the white press. And although
reporting ting editing idns'a and publishing hi hing It t is a sad fact that
many Negroes hold the black press in a0of scorn. You
win hear many Of these ignorant individuals even boast
they on this vital subject, you may hear them add "Colored
paper. just clip news from the white papers; why read
secondhand news z
Our press continues in every way possible to over
come this kind Of stupidity for such an attitude Is moth
ing less), and it !. no small obstacle to overcome. Perhaps
ID a national environment where the dominant group holds
everything white to be superior. To continue to hold the
wrong attitude u 1. these yn modern tT1 II times s,,.r nowe co1o,. y p paasrs
are nevertheless beneficiaries of the fruits Of their labors
and battle in behalf Of the race. The improvement Of con-
ever increasing degree to the brilliant achievements of
tn Negro Press, which is the voice of our people. Yes,
the Negro press is indispensable, it is accurate and mature;
it is our sword and shield. We cannot do without 1T.
AS each day brings us closer to the end of the wal,
Negroes are wondering if they will be able to hold the
gains recovered during the war. They are thinking serl-
ously concerning what the world, especially the American
world, will be like for them. Boiled down, the big question
is, shall we march right on forward after the war, or shall
we have to fight a second time for the gains we've made?
The Negro press is indispensable in helping us to answer
this important question, week by week.
WHAT THEN. AFTER THIS?
Remember the aftermath of the last World War, how
they" tried to put us back "n your place" Today, they
tell US very frankly that they intend to try to do the same
SiAA6 ShS oASSA Shn "oA' ~A~ SA~ HS
serious race riots in this country. As far as white Ameri-
cans generally are concerned, there is already brewing a
serious postwar conflict or struggle between Old Dealers
and New Dealers, between progressives and %stand-stll-
ers, liberals and reactionaries.
It is nothing new, for it began about 1934-35. 1t will
be the Negro press that will keep us inteligently inform
ed in this coming crisis. But, come what may, the Negro
will find a greater number Of friends and supporters on
his side than ever before in American history. These
white friends are already helping US in this fight for liberty,
justice and equality; and fortunately for US, scores of them
are in the highest positions in our government.
These are the Americans the Negro soldier should keep
in mind when fighting for his country. The Negro sol
der cannot be expected to show any enthusiasm in fight
ing for those who would keep him down; therefore, it is
logical that he should fight for those who are helping him
up. And of course, he is also fighting to maintain the
American democratic form of government where he may
fight for his rights in the democratic manner. It should
now be obvious to all, that under Axis rule, the Negro
would have no rights whatsoever. Therefore, the most
stirring times that lie ahead for us demand a close read
ing of the Negro Press and a more consistent support of
same. In contrast to journalism in foreign countries, not
a single Negro paper in this country has been suppressed
in recent times. Negroes should appreciate more widely
and stand by the voice that cries their aims.