The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
Id Rather
By W. THEODORE JOHNS

~s>>~s~~~s~~>>"ssSs~s~sses
A FRIEND OF MINE, who hap
pens TO be member OF the white
race, is somewha: worried about
the militant fight the Negro is wag-
ing for equal opportunity in de-
tense industry. the armed forces
and the right TO live in federal hous-
irg projects built and paid for al
the expense OF taxpayers-of whom
millions are Negroes. In a letter 70
this writer he deplores our consist.
ent demands and accuses the Negro
, race OF taking advantage OF q uni.
yersal calamity to further the ~sel.
Ash cause Of a group which should
be bending every effort TO help win
the war NOW and leave the solu.
ton OF the so-callee race problem
10 those who will plan the peace
a.er the war" After calling the
Negro in general. and this writer
in particular. everything short OF
traitor, he ends his interesting
missive with this question lust
how does the Negro feel about this
country anyway"
A VERY FAIR QUESTION and
one which the ira;e writer could
answer himself il he ever took the
time 10 study the American Negro
and his "place" in this country. l
am sure il my friend though, Of the
Negro as he thinks OF white Amer
cans 'as--c!uzens OF country
casting OF democratic ideals-he
'ould understand why colored
Americans are so persistent; in their
emands for equal opportunity to
share in the war effort and 10 share
II the benefits OF the peace which
5 10 follow this universal Holocaust.
X X X
THE AMERICAN NEGRO. like
I'll other loyal. patriotic Americans,
feels an interest in all tina, pertains
his coun;ry-wha; il has been.
what II is. and wha, i, is TO be
While he looks with just pride on
rs past unparalleled achievements
and progress. and surveys with
some degree OF satisfaction its pres
ent position Of international infiu-
rnce. with lis boosted democratic
torm of government. immense
wealth and exhaustless resources.
te Cannot be indifferent 10 prob
abilities affecting his future so far
as they may be calculated from pas.
experiences, Because OF influences
actively and widely q; work in d!f.
feFent parts of cur land to s;ifie his
economic free5om and his struggle
Tor full citizenship. the American
Negro must be forever on the alert
defeat the forces seeking TO
destroy the gains he has made-few
th1ugh they may be-and the de-
nocracy which these same forces
hypocri;ically clsir they are fight
ln' 10 preserve.
THE NEGRO KNOWS ;hs; his
country IS eng ged in the most vi
c!cuS and deadly war in the history
OK the human race: tina: blood and
sweat ard tears are vitality neces-
say 20 win the war. He is Milling
20 sacrifice the las: drop OF blood.
he last ounce OF his resources il
n the end he is % reap the same
reward that Will come 10 other ci;i-
lens BIZ; in the direction OF the
var. his mind IS turned with pecu-
lia- interest. because. judging the
fu.Gre by The pas; he csnno. but
wonder what Will be his status IL
ard when The war aad the peace is
won He be. .eves. like all other
tina: the war viii De
successfully Won. and when the
conhict is ended he Allied nations
VII gather around the pesce table
sHd draw up a program calculated
10 guarantee The rights OF all But
he wonders = this. like other
broad we.l-in.eni:onei programs
VIII encompass him
:; x =
RECENTLY. OPINIONS OF two
grea; Americans on the question o.
winning the peace were given 10