davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
LETTER TO AMERICA
By CARLOS BULoSAN


back. But l will be coming closer
to you. closer to our common ideals
and hopes for the future. The war
will draw Ms closer to each other,
closer to the world where we were
born apart, and when Il Is over ut
last, alive or dead. we shall have
seen another spring In our lives
Didn't you say water-lillies are
the most passionate of all plants?
see white and blue lilies floating
on the pond in our yard, and in the
clear water, where they have not
spread. the sky is bluer now that
summer is drawing near. All these
living and moving things in my ma
tive land will remind those who ara
free OF the immortal years that lie
ahead.
In the cities now children walk In
the streets with the delicious antic-
ipationS that We feel in the sum-
mertime. AT school they sit in the
yard and watch the pepper trees;
they leap eagerly for the new day.
Men and women in uniform 20 into
stores, look al new gadgets and TOYS,
then 60 out into the streets again
SNalAAlAlAS VIC
The spring Is drawing to . close.
But n great many things are happen
ing in America. A year ago the race
riots In Detroit and Los Angeles
marred the beauty Of spring. In tn
factories and on the farm the work
ers are cheering the gallant stand
Of the Russians. They talk hope
fully about the Teheran Conference.
All these good and bad things are
happening simultaneously In my ma
tive land.
In the parks little children are
playing around the statue OF Abra-
ham Lincoln. But somewhere some
one IS shouting. This is q Jewish
war;! And the spring moves into
the immigrant districts. into the
mines and factories. into the pack
ing houses and on the farm. and
the common people OF America look
into the sky and smile at the new
planes. because summertime is near
and victory is assured in their eyes
All these thinks make the heart
jump with JOY. Now ! can say 20
you, who could remember many
springs with poisoning orange
trees. that at last we can stand and
shout together: We all belong 90
America because We work and Tfgnt
for herl"
But now il Is noon in my valley
and the sheep are climbing down
the hills toward the watering
trough. Not far away the school
children are shouting and playing
with their teachers can hear their
healthy little voices in the wind. In
little while ! will 60 down the
valley and call for my father; then
we will SIT around the table and
eat our lunch. We will have string
beans and sweet potatoes, chicken.
and plenty OF butter. We produce
all these things on our farm. and
We are grateful, for we are not In
want this spring. And tonight We
will So around the radio and listen
20 some music. Then al last Will
remember you and the lovely world
iha, you tried 20 show re when you
we're ST. n America
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
QUOTES

In magnificent Detroit last week of trouble that
sink that ship and others il isn't mended Detroit
place OF industrial splendor Of clean towering buildings
inspiring climate and story brave any
in America
a city but community at this unhappy The
feeling between management and labor between whites and
blacks is bitter that everybody is anticipating and
trouble where much has come from.
John Temple Graves in the Free Press
For country whose foreathers fought hard for free
DOM it's strange that still rocked by greater nto
prejudice bgotry hatred and social strife
when country began. think LOST wars
instead Of WINNING them and think apt lose this
war too-f don't try find WHAT are lighting
for. Naturally we will win the MlIITARlI.Y but can
lose morally and then will been worth fighting
Elsa Maxwell il the New York Post
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
'ENJOY THE FACILITIES Of YOUR OWN
HOME TOWN-DONT TRAVEL"
Girls Study To Aid India

most important and respected extra
curricular activities on the campus.
To become an officer OF this under
graduate organization interested in
international and national affairs is
quite an honor for a freshman.
Want to Visit Canada
Both girls were intrigued to think
a Canadian paper wished to run Il
story about them. A cousin of theirs
has been training in the Indian Fly
ing Force in Canada and they are
eager 10 visit the dominion before
they return to India.
The sisters are planning 10 spend
the summer working in New York.
then return to Wellesley next au-
tumn. They hope TO have an apart
ment and do their own cooking
though their classmates are a bit
skeptical OF their culinary success
They didn't even know how 10 use
tin opener when they arrived. and
while sharing a friends apartment
last summer went for days without
toast in the morning because they
were afraid to light the gas stove.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

Lnd count dinner checks.
On the menu was anything
one could want in the way OF
Italian food, together with the
excellent dry Italian wines. 1t
was not a fancy place with din
reys from Sl.00 up, but place
, here one could get Italian
food for less than Sl00 The
room was comfortably full and
the waters were rushing
about.
My friend and I slipped our
Chiantl and talked. Why
said he. do you suppose every
one else can open a restaurant
md coll his races food 10 the
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

He is rarely at home. and says
my wife is jealous Of every min
ute have TO spend here. Most of
the time I'm on the road, but moth
ing ever happens TO me, other peo-
pie do things, | simply prove that
they are legal"
l6 Pending Cases
Right now he has 10 cases pend
ing decisions in various courts
These include teachers salary cases
IN louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia.
Alabama and Arkansas. The latter
case is in court of appeals. Marsh
al having won the first round
He has never attempted TO put
into actual figures the annual
amount Of money in salaries he has
succeeded in winning for colored
teachers. nor the number Of miles
he travels in year.
~ estimate the milage az between
$4,000 and $4,000 last year. but as TO
money | really don't know"
Al one time he travelled by air,
but now he uses trains. He is the
front man. in the NAACP law
department Two Office assistants.
Milton Konvitz, Jewish. "a brilliant
research man" and Edward Dudley,
do the Office work.
Puts Plays in Action
In effect. they are three-man
team, with Marshall putting the
plays into action.
His advance publicity-MarShall
Is one Of the few nationally famous
names-"gives people all kinds of
weird notions about me. Some think
I'm old. I'm actually IS. and others
think l ought to be white"
In several instances. townspeople
expecting white lawyer 10 arrive.
made accommo dations for a white
man from New York" and hurried
IS changed them when Baltimore
born colored guy showed up"
Mistaken for White
In one town the people came
down 10 The train TO see this guy
from Moo Yawk.' I. was late when
the train pulled in and the people
crowded around the station.
Finally. when they-the whites
saw me. they were Disguised:
'Ahh" they said. only q n r."
However, in that little town the
.ocal NAACP is a mixed branch
The Chairman Of the branch is the
father OF the woman who was
killed. He is white.
Marshall said tha; this was rot
he only southern city in which an
.rterracial NAACP existed. The
mayor OF Chicashaw. Oklahoma
population laid heads the local
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
NAACP and there are others too"
Legal Scene Contradictory

Marshall finds the American legal
scene a bundle Of contradictions.
In Providence, RI. for example,
he found, "colored boilermakers en-
rolled in jim-crow AT of L union
where they have no control over
anything, and the white workers
want the Jim crow local TO become
an equal part OF the regular union
The AT OF L bosses are against con-
solidation"
We twhen Marshall says We
he means - won a temporary in
junction tan injunction is a re-
straining ORDER against the white
union, and the white union men,
bers testified in our favor-but the
union leaders opposed"
In California the case Is exactly
reversed. The white union mem
bers don't want to admit cOIOred
members under any conditions. It's
the same AT o. l. boilermakers too"
He considers the Texas primary
my most important case"
He IS certain that "colored peo-
pie IN Texas are going 10 take full
advantage Of their new won rights.
They have organized a Progressive
Voters League and are selecting a
candidate Believe il or not the
colored people are together on that
issue
He believes that the Texas whites
consider the ruling as binding
and will abide by it."
But in South Carolina. We'll.
that's another contradiction. Those
no, headed officials are opposed TO
il and will disrupt the whole State
administration to corrupt the laws"
Personal Observations
Thur good Marshall is the amazing
type OF man who is liked by other
mer and probably adored by wom-
en-. He carries himself with an IN
offensive self confidence. and seems
20 like the life he lives. He wears
and looks especially we'll in tweed
suits.
Although he travels constantly.
I'm always home on Christmas
generally. In conversation he de-
scribes certain people as common
old yard dogs and others as ter
rife"
He attended Lincoln university
where also learned 10 take sew
-eral G garettes when offered one
His ambition is to continue work
for the NAACP because in all
seriousness, that's where | can hes.
help ny people" That's exactly
what he is doing.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

pine culture ana the auInOr OF the re-
Gently published book, The Laughter
Of My Father.")
You have been gone a year
now. When you left the
orange trees were starting to
bloom. Then summer came
with all its wonderful grapes
and large melons and ripe
peaches. Now another spring
is here, promising another
fruitful year. l hear the
sweet purr OF industry hum
ming across the land. Yes. il is
another spring in America and the
orange trees are blooming again.
Icannot ask you. is IL also spring
in the cold bottom Of the sea-" To
YOU who have seen death face to
face. there Is no spring In the world.
There Is only heavy rain and IND
tense heat. There Is also disease
and horror. SO can only say,
Thank you. sailor. for BataAn and
Corregidor. Thank you for GuadaI-
canal and Tarawa. Thank you In
the name o: the American people
for your courage and herOiSm."
| am writing this letter il the
house where ! was born. Ny
mother 5 busy canning tru!; in the
cellar My father IS somewhere on
our farm planting tomatoes. My
relatives live in the valley below
our farm can hear some Of their
children shouting IN the morning
sun. They are on their way 70 the
new SchoolhouSe at the foot Of the
hills. This IS the world you told
me 20 so back 70, and 10 discover IL
with new understanding Yes. my
roots are here, in this windSwept
valley. where was born and where
my parents were born before me.
And now can understand why you
were always restless when YOU
we're with Us. You had no horne
where there are many homes. but
the land and the waters around il
We're yours You travelled extern
S.velv IN search O, America.
l WI tell you how things are in
my native land. Spring Is in the
.rees and among the flowers. Il is
also IL he hopeful eyes o. women
and ~ the innocent faces OF chill
dren The sun is shining and Us
rays are like bars OF silver lesping
across the land. The peas are Sprout-
.HE N Our yard. Along the country
roads wild peoples are shedding
their first leaves and The blue lu-
pines on he hills are blooming.
Now I can see my valley with a
new love. A slight wind is blow
irs across the plains. and the early
corn bends 20 is sway hear the
delicious tinkle Of a COW bell in the
valley There are birds IN the ar
Spring is IN America this Beautiful
morning
| am looking At my valley with
new hunger because II Is my last
day In America. Tomorrow ] will
be sent abroad. and ! may not come
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

white people have been taught
so little about the real life of
Negroes. At anolher time when
we talked about employment
discrimination, we again pointed
out what every reader of this
column knows: - namely, that
behind the resistance to fairness
for minorities in employment
practice are the curious ideas
possessed by the prejudiced.
Now, however. the Detroit
Board of Education is taking
steps to attack the racial, reli-
gious and nationality prejudices
that are dividing America by
eating prOlln AGAINST pr0iiD
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
tBy BILL GREY. Arranser)
tReprinted from Down Beafl

As A HARD WORKING ARRANGER, making
n time around Sunset and Vine after years oil
packing an 802 card i'll my wallet nave put
one kick the old bugaboo of color line IN swing
music Two arranged for just about every band
since Charlie Spivak's Hotel Pennsylvania days 10
The local Sweet N Hot opus, and the issue OF White
and brown musicians working together sidleS up
sooner or later.
After scoring for the names for years, wonder
why there should be a color line in any form OF
music? When turn out page OF manuscripts
VARYING from Eddie Saufer. that doesn't make US
worlds apart as we're making a living staying on
the riqht kick. The only difference is that The
eolored arranger has a harder time peddlins his
wares.
Rhythm and sock delivery are ours by inherit
ance The answer to being constantly beaten down
S to be met fairly and squarely on the competition
field
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
CONDENSED from Toronto Starr

Jewaharhal NehruS attractive
young nieces, Chandralekha and
Nayantara Pand!t. girls of unmis-
taxable conviction despite their
gentle manners, are two Of the most
popular students on the Wellesley
college campus this year. Lekha.
the e.der sister, and member o.
the junior class, is the first recipient
Of the Mayhng Soons scholarship,
established In honor of China's frs;
lady and the colleges most dis
tinguished alumna. The Indian g-rl
knew nothing about the award until
she read Of il in anew York news
paper shortly after her arrival IN
the u. S. early last summer.
To Enter Public Life
The girls are studying with view
o. entering public life in India.
Lekha as a journalist, and Tara
as a social worker. Like their
mother, midas first woman CABINET
minister, and like their late father
and distinguished uncle, they are
ardent nationalist. Living IN the
L. 5. for a year has but served TO
intensity their nat!oUalism. BY
nationalism." Lehka eXpla!ed, I'VE
mean that we want India 10 be
completely free
Politics is a burning interest with
these girls ard they find their class
mates indifference almost ircred-
ole.
Politics is more personal for US"
Lekha said. trying 10 analyze two
points OF view. Perhaps II IS be-
cause we were born a, a time when
everything was happening in India.
Politics IS something that affects our
lives; is not something that Just
happens every four years
Has Been in Prison
She even knows what il is 20 go
70 prison for her political conv!c-
tons. for together with her mother,
she was detained for seven months.
Lekha was al that time a student az
Lucknow college where she began
the political studies she is now con-
,inuing az Wellesley The only rea-
son sac was released from prison.
she thinks. was because the food
problem became SO acute II was
d.Gcult 10 feed the prisoners. Her
mother. howeveE was no; freed un-
II some mothrS later, after her
dau ghterS had reached the y s.
The girls and their mother. al
though she was brought up in he
European fashion and amid great
luxury. have long shown their de-
sire 20 help IN Gandhis struggle
Tor the economic emancipation of
India by wearing only khsddar
,handSpun and hardwoven native
cloth. Some Of the Sar!s the girls
wear around the campus are made
II exquisite silk. others Of cotton
III beautiful coiorS and patterns.
While they exchanged their native
dress for warm sweaters and skirts
during the winter. they always wear
1t off campus or 10 formal college
functions
Gandhi like Family Member
Gandhi, who is like member OF
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
INVASION CALM

While other London morning
papers used big. black headlines
10 report the progress Of the Allied
invasion armies. the staid London
Times placed invasion news on page
four. customary spot for such things.
under the austere. double column
head The Great Assault Going
Wel.' Pm
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
JAPANl HA HA

The current favorite tune Of the
Fill Islanders Is a song In pidgin
English which tells the story o: the
series Of japanese defeats at the
hands Of American land, sea and air
forces. Each verse ends with these
derisive lines Me laugh along you
Japani Ia ha.'
This Week
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
Meet Thurgood Marshall: NAACP's Top SIeuth
CONDENSED from the Afro-American)
BY MICHAEL CARTER

Big long legged C it, l. weight 1851 tweedy Thurgood
Marshall cut impressive figure in court When
talked to him he had relaxed placed his No lbs the desk
and reluctantly answered ringing phone.
"Yes, baby he said Eyes, dear "a long pause) Right
away darling" Then turning me, THAT my wife;
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

VVHE OTHER NIGHT my friend and had dinner
in little Italian restaurant In all accuracy,
] suppose, | should not say Il little restau-
rant /, was quite large. with long counter and
plenty of booths on the side. 1t had many waters
nd cashier who did nothing but accept money
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
By CLARENCE ANDERSON

THE RELATIONSHIP of ignorance and prejudice
- has often been discussed in this column This
was done, for example. when we called attention
TO the effect upon interracial harmony of race
labelling in newspaper crime reporting Then we
noted that it has disrupve effects largely because
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

A few years ago Josh
White made two remarkable
record albums-Chain Gang
and Southern Exposure. AS
a result the, ku klux Khan
beat up two OF his brothers
and tried to take away his
mothers home in Greenville,
S. c.
In February 1912 he and Libby
Holman had an engagement AZ the
Hotel Somerset in Boston. Even
though he was star attraction
there the hotel didn't wan; him
around when he WASH: entertaining
For convenience sake Libby did
stay there. He came BY one day TO
find Libby pickeiing the Somerset
and yelling:
Take down tina: American flag
over this hotel and put Up the swaS-
tika"
Maybe now you understand why
Josh White. one Of the great folk
balladeers Of our time and now
sing ing at Cafe Society Downtown.
has turned down lucrative movie
offers. He refused them because
he was asked to play the usual Yes.
Massuh" Uncle Tom type. Josh. .
sensitive and honorable man. Is too
proud Of his race 10 degrade himself
and his race by demesning himself.
He'd rather earn less and keep his
Self-respect.
Two OF Josh's favori;e social ball
lads are Strange Fruit. part OF which
was printed in PM recently. and
Josh's own opposition, Little Man
Sittin' on n Fence.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
APPLAUSE FOR HITLER

They tell this one In Vienna: The
Fuhrer died. As the coffin was being
lowered into the grave, II had to
he raised twenty times. There was
so much applause.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
JOSH JR. SIGNED
BY WARNER BROS.

That pride extends 70 remarkable
talented Josh Junior. who has been
signed up by Warner Brothers with
the express stipulation that ne will
no, be thrust into any Farina-type
parts
BY way Of 4 footno,c. Josh Jun
ior's godmother is Libby Holman.
John Hays Hammond Jr.. Paul
Robson. Warren ArmS;ead. Burl
Ives. and Mrs. Barney JoSephSon
are godparentS FOR one or the other
OF JoSh's children. Their mother.
Carol Carr. a New Yorker. is year
younger than Josh. They met ~ a
church. where she was a choir sing
er ard Josh guest artist Josh 5
guitar playing soon won her mother
over. but Carol was a year IN sue
cunbing.--Arno,d Blom.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
INCREASED USE OF
CODORED MUSICIANS

Despite the colorline, the increased use OF the
wr9k of sepa contributors to modern music is
encouraging Even now, after working for Good
man. Shaw James, Whiteman, Noble Barnet and
Spivak, find an occasional white arranger who
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

tRiu GREY an arranser for Goodman, shaw James,
h,eman etc tells OF the problems Of colored muscans)
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
NEVER HAD MUSIC
LESSON, SELF TAUGHT

They refused 20 teach him tie
guitar. so he taught himself by
prscticins behind the outdoor privy
whenever they were asleep. He has
never had a musical lesson and his
education is only grammar school
deep, but he is musician enough
and intelligent and soc,ally-con-
scious enough, 20 have made rec
ords fox the Library OF Con gress
and 20 have played az a White
House Command performance.
Josh made his Arst record in Chi
cagc when he was only u Ne
same 10 NeS Iogk ~ 1880 " record
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
SOCIAL MINDED SINGER

for Columbia, and after two days
NBC put him on sustaining pro-
gram with the Southernaires.
Then, one day he fell and cut his
hand wide open on a milk bottle.
HIS hand was paralyzed for three
years. during which time he was ar
elevator operator. And then luck
besmed again. He got a part in
Rosrk Bradford's John Henry. later
formed a quintet, and in 1910 made
the Chain Gang album.
Since then he has appeared on a
number OF radio programs, includ-
ing Norman Corwins Dorie Got a
Medal.
Besides his other enga gements,
Josh does IL broadcaSts a week for
the Owl In l94l, under Govern
nent auspices, he made a goodwill
has an almost inexhauStible reSer-
vor Of folk songs 10 fall back on
500 or so, which he learned from the
Is blind men he led az one tire or
another. Then. of course. there are
his own socially-conscious songs Of
jim Crowism, poor housing, slums.
pellagra, race discrimination. all The
evils that exist IN this country.
But he doesn't sing such spirituals
as Swing Low. Sweet Chariot. or
Go Down Moses, and he doesn't
sing the cheap Tin Pan Alley stun.
and he hates Green Pastures and its
fish fries with a holy hate. As !
said before, he Is . proud and SEN
sitive man.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
CONDENSED from PM)

(Josh White called one OF the great
est folk baliadeerS of our time
doesn't like spirituAls nor Uncis
TomminD
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
HATES SPRITUALS FOR
WHAT THEY REPRESENT

That's . long way from spirituals.
which Josh admits are true folk
songs hut which he hates because
they represent the Negroes years
Of slavery and oppression. For the
same reason he dislikes even such
famous groups rs the Tuskegee and
Fisk University choirs.
Josh now is IS. has been married
II years, and has four children
Deborah. 9, Beverly. 5. Joshua jun
Tor. who will be in November.
and Caroline. who IS 10 weeks old.
Josh is the son OK deeply religious
parents. His father was preacher.
Al :, because his parents thought il
was a Christian thing 10 do. he be-
gan leading blind men around.
among them the famous Blind
Lemon. He KEEP; up this peculiar
work until he was Is. earning 81 a
week. although the blind men them
selves often cleaned up $l35 in a
single week end
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

CONDENSED from New MaSses)
tMr. BuloSan Is an expert on Philip
pine culture and the author Of the re-
Gently published book, The Laughter
Of My Father.O
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17

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