The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-04-08

(Reprinted From the New
York Herald Tribune)


to the utmost the relationship
between the army and the
Negro population. In the
South the uniform worn by
a Negro affects the ignorant white
population as a red rag does bull;
what Is worse, large part OF the
South is very crude in its attitude
toward murder. particularly when
the victim is a Negro.
The white police and state con-
stabulary who are supposed 10 up
hold the law are the chief offenders.
The number OF brutal murders
which have not been punished is
shocking. In addition TO the killing
at Alexandria. La. Negro soldiers
we're murdered at Little Rock, Ark;
FL Paso. Texas: at Mobile, Ala.
where a bus driver was the assail-
ant; at Columbia, S. c.. and in
several other places where the muir
derer escaped conviction.
In Montgomery, Ala. a Negro
army nurse was beaten by two
police officers. Her nose was broken
and her whole body badly bruised.
The excuse was that she had re-
fused 70 leave the back seat Of
bus so that white passengers could
have all the places. These acts Of
violence continue undated.
Daily Insults Endured
Only the serious cases come TO
the army's misunderstanding,
killing. rioting. But the daily in
suits that have to be endured in
silence are even more disastrous
to Negro morale. The Negro SOL
der on leave must wait until all
passengers have been accommo-
dated before he can secure trans
portation. He must get out when
his seat Is needed by a white trav-
eler.
Prison-C Camp Example
When a Negro Is the offender IN
civil life, the punishment is also
frequently twice as severe as that
meted out TO the white man The
best example Of the way the Negro
soldiers feelings are disregarded in
the South occurred at the German
Prison Camp Mccain in Mississippi.
Here the facilities, toilets and drink
ing fountains were labeled For
whites onlv." The Germans ard
white Americans were in one class,
the American Negro in another.
No wonder the Germans say they
don't know why we are fighting
them, as their ideas on race and
ours are the same.
The country no longer can remain
Indifferent 70 the moral ealleusness
OF certain elements I'm the South
especially where u concerns N,
Nero. If the army can teach on
soldiers how 70 treat the native
OF Patagonia, New Guinea an.
Africa, perhaps II can eventual,
handle the much more difficult tasl
OF teaching such Americans how Il
treat their Negro fellow-citisens.
| In justice TO the southern states
il should be added that I found
! there not only the worst conditions
for the Negro but among a small
percentage Of the people the great
est progress in thinking and be-
havior toward him.
Problem for North. Too
Bot the North will also have 70
meet the attitudes which the Negro
troops bring back from the front
II should examine critically the
reasons for its growing impatience
with the Negro in the crowded
urban areas II should also become
more militant in its demands that
he backward southern commune
ties begin 10 practice better race
relationships. Otherwise the return
ing Negro troops are bound 10 be
the focal point OF racial disorder.
Viewing the present antasonisms
between the Negro and the army
from their largest ASPECT. nothing is
more important than that.
In The meantime greater harmony
can scarcely be achieved unless
Negro craftsmanship modifies its
strategy and does It's share 10 put
the army program for the Negro
IN a more favorable light.
In addition. the efforts OF both
the whites and the NEGROES must
rnite In securing for the returned
Nero soldier his fair share Of the
Jobs when the industrial reorranira-
ton takes place. Reinsurance 10 the
Negro that this time he can count
upon retaining some OF the eco.
nomic progress he has made during
the war would be the most practical
proof that the moral conscience OF
America is genuinely aroused and
mat our democratic war aims are
no; the eyewssh they seemed 10
him after the World War.
Then he would also have more
reason 20 believe that his partial
segregation in the army was moi
the insult that II seems. bu: an un-
avoidable military necessity. He
might even heed the advice which
Dean HASTE gave just after his
resignation from the War Depart
ment 20 sri; his teeth. square his
shoulders and do his bes, as a