davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
Writer Claims Chinese
Dislike Americans & English

China. And now we are reverting
to our original prewar opinion Of
the Chinese. Now it is being de-
clared that China is not a de-
mocracy las though our leaders
ever believed it was) and Chang
Kai-shek is a dictator (Which is
not news to intelligent people). For
the first time since the propaganda
of World War No. 2 was initiated
the truth is suddenly employed.
But don't get excited, because 1t
is only being given in a limited
quantity. The white newspapers
are not telling their readers that
the Chinese in general and Chang
Kai-shek in particular are increas-
ingly doubtful of the white mans
sincerity, so loudly proclaimed by
democratic America and mother
protector England. Although the
Chinese don't like the Jsps, their
dislike for the white supremacy
Americans and Englishmen is
greater.
After this war is over, if not be-
fore, Americans will be classifying
the Chinese and Japanese together,
and the phrase that they are both
no good yellow ours will be uttered
by millions of white Americans who
speak Of colored persons only in a
contemptuous tone of voice.
Negroes are not surprised at
these turnabouts employed by
white Americans in evaluating and
devaluating the Chinese and jap
anese. They know that any time
white Americans praise colored peo-
pie it is only a temporary move at
best and, furthermore, from actual
experience Negroes know that the
average white man is out to feather
his own nest.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
letters to the editor

about the $50 uniforms, you have
the wrong information on that, too.
They are $3.50 plus postage. l
can't see for the life of me how any
one can criticize a person for CIV
ing away their own time in free
country.
Instead of criticizing US for wear
ing a $50 uniform, in supplying
troop trains and hospitals with gift
packages, magazines, pencils,
games, etc., selling war bonds, as
sisting in community centers where
there is a help shortage, why not
take poke in the noses of women
who sit in taverns smoking and
drinking, using their spare time
playing bridge, etc., in five and six
hundred dollar fur coats with IS to
20 dollar hats to match?
Speaking of our long titles, did
it ever occur to "Twin Cityite" that
the Victory Aides has such titles as
captains and ieutenants, etc. >? Per-
haps you have both of your legs,
arms and eyesight. But these
wounded men who have fought on
foreign soil to make our country
safe to live in certainly appreciate
our assistance in our $50 uniforms
and we WANDS will continue to be
the women behind these men that
have been behind the guns.
Major Beatrice Boyd,
837 Iglehart St.
ST. Paul MINI
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15

constitutional, democratic govern
ment, and a practical application of
true Christian principles.
Negroes in the armed forces, and
those at home, must realize that
fighting for such principles as these
is hard, discouraging and trying.
But the greater the obstacles the
harder we must fight. Some day
the world will arrive at that period
when it will study war no more. But
until that day arrives, let's keep
fighting with all we have, despite
the odds that are against US. No
battle has ever been won by those
who quit or despaired. We will con-
tinue to fight because we know our
cause is right.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
BOYD Making History

Next Monday December 1S Minnesota electors
capitol in St. president history
be made for Minnesotans of Negro ancestry.
Among those electors who by the thousands
fellow citizens November IL Frank Democratic
Labor eector In far could learn he the only Negro p
dental ector named the Democrats
he the first of his racial be honoed
history.
Minnesota generally conceded progressive
states has first and its Negro citizens
and recognition which the Democrats have
We could write columns the gant
grev who has stood fast and unaa these
front of the battle for the working people great conviction
student Of economics politics and social
place for himself by
When he casts his vote Monday he will making
self his people and for the coming generations
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
What Negro Soldiers and
Sailors Are Fighting For

policy of our armed forces.
Therefore, one of the basic things
Negroes are fighting for, is the
right to serve in the armed forces
of this nation on the same basis
as any other citizen, and not be
segregated or Disseminated against
because of his color or race.
Difficult though the attainment
of these detectives might be, the
Negro must realize that he cannot
win this point unless he puts every
thing he has in the limited oppor-
tunity the government now grudg-
ingly accords him.
The Negro soldier, sailor and
airman must rise above the forces
that are trying so hard to break
his spirits and have him emerge
from this war with a bad record.
Such a record would be just the
thing our enemies would like to use
to bolster their argument that we
are not entitled to full recognition.
Negroes are fighting for the right
to return to their homes as first
class citizens, whether they live in
Ohio or Alabama. This means that
they are fighting for the right to
work at any job they are capable of
filling. To be paid the same wage as
other workers doing the same work,
and to have the right to be pro-
NOTED and advanced according to
skill and seniority.
The Negro is fighting for the
right to live in any city he chooses
on the same basis as other Ameri-
cans. To have the right to work,
or operate a business, own a home
and educate his children and take
part in the government without
any special place being singled out
for him or his family. :.
Negroes are fighting for the
right to be respected for the contri-
buttons they have made to the dis
covery and development of this land
and nation. Yes, fighting for
valuation of their title of citizen
ship which they have paid so dearly
for in sweat, blood, tears and suf-
fering.
While Negroes are fighting for
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
THE CT ASSAULT Bill.

Back June a. 943 the Senate the House
OF Representatives simple bill 1927 amended existing
which makes it Federal ofnse the Coast
Guard and certain other Federal
Army Navy and Marine Corps those protection
does not create crime merely the
armed forces prosecuted under federal la
the federal
1927 intended insure
ers OF the armed the
authorities refuse to act For example number
sailors who assaulted killed with
states leaps and bounds
police seem to consider their jobs licenses
In not single these punished
Now obviously soldier assaulted here
soldier killed. makes less soldier
tons being heinous moral
against society at any time.
The sentiment of the country certainly back I'D
prosecution Of these criminals
particular places fail to do
era authorities power to arrest try and punish such criminals
the intent S. 1927
After the bill passed to the House Com
mttee the Judiciary and referred
II, 1914, the subcommittee reported favorably
Since then nothing has happened.
Certain officials backing bill WORKOUT policy
OF keeping STILL and getting all supporters
the theory that Congress would
white supremacy forces not realizing they passing
which would protect Negro Of course
peoples enemies Congress fools Congress
jouned for the elections and still nothing had happened
porters Of the bill broke silence and the lid
Now that Congress has convened again. will have
to do Major egaons including of the
Powers will be the agenda for before December
But practically all the already
been done All that remains adoption by the full Judiciary
Committee Of its subcommittee
mitee an hour at most of debate House. passage
The War Department Department evidently
behind 1927 the bill would have made the
There to wait until through
hearings and House hearings
is the extra push the crucial push of people
Defender
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
BY W. o. WALKER IN THE
CLEVELAND CALL & POST

CLEVELAND CALL & POST
received a letter from a
young man in the Navy the
other day. He asks some very
pertinent questions. This
young man writes: What am
l fighting for? l wish some
one would tell me why? Probably
it will help me to do my work.
On my card, they say l am a citi-
zen, but it really doesn't look that
way because, there are some places
in this country where I'd better
not show my face. What good
is this uniform when there is dis
elimination all over this land"
If these questions are just per-
picking to just this young man who
is trying, to the best of his ability
to serve his country, we wouldn't
be concerned. But unfortunately,
there are thousands upon thou
sands of Negroes who are wonder
ing the same thing.
Neither the Army nor Navy has
done a good job in preparing the
Negro for his part in this war.
True, they have given our boys
fine training. But no matter how
efficiently a man may be able to
handle a gun, a tank or build a
bridge, unless he has the spirit
and puts his heart into his action,
he will not be very efficient.
All too often the fine spirit of
Negro youth has been broken be-
fore the men have been in training
camps very long. Two factors are
responsible for this. The location
of most of our camps in the South,
and the assignment of white Of
ficers, mostly Southerners, to Ne
gro troops.
The basic policies of the Army
and Navy Departments, with refer
ence to Negroes, haven't changed
in a hundred years. In the Civil
War, Negroes had the same prob
lens in trying to get an opportunity
to fight, as our men are having to-
day. These problems are going to
continue as long as separation, on
the basis Of race, is a fundamental
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
s. Sgt. Barnett
Enjoys Reading
News of Home

Dear Editor: Enclosed is pay
ment for renewal of my paper for
another year. I am receiving the
paper promptly and enjoy reading
it. 1t keeps me in touch with home.
S. Sgt. Leon Barnett, Keesler Field,
Miss.
Give Credit Where
Credit Is Due
Editor: This is in answer to your
correspondent in last weeks paper,
regarding the WANDS organiza-
ton.
In defense of the organization I
will say it is because said CORE
spondent doesn't understand the Or
ganization or its work. / am quite
sure that anyone as brilliant as
Mrs. Mary Bethune wouldn't waste
time organizing any kind of work,
unless it has its merits. AS far as
the WANDS being a segregated af-
fair, again the writer is wrong be-
cause anyone regardless of color
can join the organization only it is
managed by the Negro women of
America for the purpose of promot-
ing the war and postwar effort.
With the Negro women putting
forth an effort collectively, they
will be recognized as doing some
thing constructive and outstanding
whereas when it is done in white
organizations, their effort is
emerged-giving the credit to the
other group.
/ feel quite sure Negro women
who feel racially inclined belong
to their own NAACP and other
organized units. Furthermore,
women, this day and time, with
work and other obligations demand
ing their time, must take a project
seriously or they, like others,
wouldn't take time out from their
daily grind to donate their service
to any cause, merely to wear uni
forms or for a "great long title"
There is a big job to be done at
the present time and also postwar.
If you can do anything for the
cause of humanity, do it. Let's pull
together. Together we stand,
divided we fall" Give credit where
credit is due.
Bernice Morris,
Minneapolis.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
Trying to Help,
Not Hinder Race

1NOL uluueE IdC6
Dear Editor: To subscribers and
Twin Cityites, in behalf of the
Halle Q. Brown chapter of the
WANDS of which I am Captain, l
would like to defend my organiza-
ton by this response to the letter
appearing last week in the Recorder
and Spokesman.
1t is a shame how people mis-
interpret ideals so highly set up by
such great persons as Mary Nc
Cleod Bethune, DR.. Halle @. Brown
and others. By the way, we have
only one General and that is Mrs.
Bethune and who among you dares
to question her ideals and views on
any subject, particularly segrega-
ton, which she has been fight
ing against a long time.
You have been so badly misin-
formed. The cost of our uniforms
average about $4S when the essen
tial accessories are included such
as shoes, gloves, shirts, ties, etc.
You say we strut! Well, maybe
our heads are a little higher and
our walk little snapper but some
times there is lump in our threats
and tears in our eyes, especially
after passing out boxes to service
men who may never walk, see or
hear again. Tears because we only
wish We could give to every bed
ridden patient at Veterans hospi-
tai; tears sometimes when we come
up against such obstacles as your
letter criticizing, even hooking our
efforts. But it's letters like yours
and faces Of gratitude like the boys
in the hospitals that we weigh and
the volunteer work done in our uni
forms with our long, long titles
make such an uneven balance that
we've stopped even considering that
as an obstacle.
If you want to know, Twin City
lite, you've only spurred our group
on to purchase more uniforms, do
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
PLAIN TALK
By Dan Gardner

If, for example, Harlem can sup
port 500 grocery stores, and it does,
it can support 400 Negro owned
grocery stores. The same can be
said about other retail outlets. Ne
groes should seek and force the
issue to open a grocery or any other
kind of store in the same block with
the outsider who comes in broke in
the morning and leaves rich in the
evening.
To make the situation worse, the
outside merchants who do business
in our sections, won't even patron
ize Negro places. Most of them eat
their MONDAY meals in restaurants
owned by whites; they set up spe-
cial barbershops to take care of
white merchants who can't get back
to their own neighborhood in time
for haircut or a shave. In every
thing they buy during the day, it
can be charged, they make it
point to patronize each other. In
the South they add insult to in
jury by setting up Jim crow eat
ing places in the Negro sections
where they can spend their money
with other white merchants who
are making all their money off
Negroes.
Don't Serve Negroes Here
An acquaintance of the writer
walked into a restaurant in St
Louis at Taylor and Eaton Avenues,
in the heart of the better class Ne
gro section. The white woman came
to the door and said politely: 1--WE
don't serve Negroes here"
Every man and woman in there
eating their MONDAY meals had
business places with 1000 Negro
patronage, yet they had the gall
to set up a Jim Crow restaurant and
refuse to serve Negroes in their
own community. In Chicago it was
years before Negroes were allowed
to come in to Fuer's or Powers
restaurant chain places. The record
shows them being thrown out
violently by Yellow or Checker cab
drivers who objected to the pres
ence of colored persons in places
they had taken exclusively for
themselves.
A Negro owned store should be
set up, the same type of business,
next door or as near as possible to
the white mans place who is act
ing in this manner. Tell the public
why, and fight if necessary to press
the point. In Baltimore a drug
store whose patronage was 800
colored has a lunch counter but
serves whites only. The writ
er went in, feeling because it was
in a colored section, everything
would be all right. 1 sat down. The
colored girl behind the counter
yelled, MRS. Charlie, must serve
him ?" The white woman answered,
81 told you not to serve Negroes at
the counter unless they want to
take it out!"
All these things can be changed
without further protesting to white
folk to act right. Let US do like
they do. Make all retail outlets
in Negro sections at least 1870
owned by Negroes. Everywhere you
see a business, open one in the
same block. Then arouse Negroes
to the reason why they should
patronize their own instead of the
outsider. These interracial special
lists of the educated and profess
sional protest stripe can then be
forced to buy from their own. This
is what we mean by helping to get
what we want and not just keep on
begging white folk for it.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
Gardner Urges
People to Go
Into Business

In this Dissertation No. 2
on Negro Economics, l would
like to pay tribute to the So
called untutored Negro las
distinct from the one weighed
down with Kappa Keys and
social status) who is doing his bit
to put the race ahead economically
by opening the small store. With
not too much formal education, he
is laying the foundations for a
secure economic system for the Ne
gro and with wholehearted support
from all elements of the race, he
would achieve much in the form Of
tangible results.
However, there is a tendency
among some of our more highly
educated folk to seek jobs as race
relations experts" as a means of
social entree. To them the idea of
peddling potatoes, turnip greens,
salt pork and house slippers is re-
pugnant. They would rather sit
around and bleat all day because
United Steel or General Motors
doesn't have the benefit of their
views in the main counting room
or in the inner sanctums where
policies are outlined. There is no
excuse for them here because the
field is ready for them to use their
brains and organizing abilities in
the practical business of selling for
profit and for racial economic
power.
Money Must be Reinvested
In this Dissertation it should be
emphasized that the big money we
Garland there are millions in
volved-must stop leaving Negro
communities before being reinvest-
ed. All over the country, white
merchants come to Negro sections
every morning with their pockets
empty and leave every night with
their pockets full. They leave prac-
tically nothing in the form of in
vestments in worthwhile projects
in the communities from which they
draw such a profit and that is one
Of the things that make Negro
neighborhoods so poor. Every COM
munity should and must get a
chance to reinvest its earnings.
The millions of dollars Negroes
are earning in these war years
represent so much money gone for
naught insofar as stabilizing our
economic problems are concerned.
As long as 1870 and up of all bust
nesses in Negro communities are
owned by whites, we will never get
the full use of our tremendous
earnings and capacity to earn. No
other group, I would say, permits
this situation. In a German or
Italian section, 1870 of all bust
nesses are owned by them and not
by outsiders. Once in a great while
instances may be found in which a
Negro will be allowed to kill chicks
in the markets or shine shoes on
the corner, but he had better have
a liquid business, one he can pick
up at a moments notice and run
with! The German or Italian pa
tronizes his own group, first. The
result is reinvestment of earnings
in their own community, and they
are thereby able to enjoy a large
percentage of their own people,
can take care of their own charities,
and don't have to go begging with
hat in hand.
N. Y. Can Support 400 Stores
We could do the same very easily.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
By Emmett Phillips for AMP.

BY Emmett Phillips Tor AM.
Before the war we used to read
and hear about how the Chinese
were 1000 years behind and would
never catch up; to use a current
American phrase, they had moth
ing on the ball. AS for the Chinese
Americans, it was said of
them that they were a criminally
inclined people whose chief pastime
was to engage in long wars. Holly
wood usually portrayed the Chinese
in a sinister role. The average
white American fell for this por-
trayal of the "Chink."
On the other hand, we were told
that the Japanese were smart,
quick to learn our ways, and sue
cessful in setting up industries pat
termed after ours. In short, the
Japanese were really progressive.
Came the war and eventually
Pearl Harbor. Suddenly the jap
anese were anathema. Everywhere
one went he heard as follows: "The
Japs are no good, they never were
any good and they never will be
any good" Quite a reversal from
our high opinion of prewar days!
But not so sensational a reversal
as our newly found admiration for
the Chinese. Over night we were
informed that the Chinese had been
misunderstood, that they were real
ly wonderful people with a love
for democracy which was soul stir
ring. 1t was impressed upon US that
the Chinese were being led by the
benevolent Chang Kai-shek and his
loving wife, Madame Chang Kali
shek, also that the Chinese were
terrific in battle, especially against
the Japs.
But something has happened in
more volunteer work and lift our
heads little higher when we walk
down the street. Please get more
information on our group, prefer
ably from General Mary Mcleod
Bethune because in my small rank
as captain, / don't think l could
successfully straighten you out.
Pm sorry but the NAACP must
approve of US, too, regardless of
your feelings. We ushered in our
uniforms for one of the biggest af-
fairs held at the st. Paul Audi
forum. Yes, "Top Flight" held
Oct. rs, sponsored by the st. Paul
Branch, NAACP. Also, it was
through the Victory Aides that four
of us appeared in the st. Paul Dis
patch. The reason: some of our
girls assisted the Victory Aides in
the Sixth War Loan Drive.
Please. Please. Get more infor-
nation on our group. We're trying
to help, not hinder, our race. Our
constitution is open for anyone's
eyes who doubt the true purpose
of the WANDS.
Sincerely,
Captain Adelaide Myers,
Head of Halle @. Brown
Chapter, WANDS.
796 Rondo Ave-, st. Paul.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15

war,
And you may have to beg for
bread;
The park again can be your bed,
And you can sigh and mourn in
grief
While begging workers for relief.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
Wants to Know Reason

Editor: 1 read Twin Cityite's
letter in the Dec. 9Th issue of the
Minneapolis Spokesman and would
be very interested in knowing the
reason, if any, why the young ladies
mentioned would not purchase
NAACP memberships.
Another Twin Cityite."
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
SAVE A DIME OR TWO
By William Henry Huff

You'd better save a dime or two
This is for you, no matter who
You are, or who you think you are.
Your job may end with this mean
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
Nice Piece of
Smutty Sabotage
st. Paul, Mimi,

81. raul, Mlnn.,
December IL, 1914.
Editor: In answer to a letter
to the editor in the December 9th
paper and signed Irwin Cityite,"
1 want to say that the letter writer
did nice piece of smutty sabotage.
First / want Irwin Cityite" to
know that I am a member of the
NAACP and have been on the mem
bership committee for three conse-
cutive years and also have worked
for the Victory Aides. But, l am
also a member of the WANDS and
would certainly appreciate CORE
spondents finding out facts before
they criticize any organization.
1t was stated that the WANDS
is a segregated organization. Well,
this is how the constitution reads:
"Any American woman or girl, who
is interested in the preservation of
the American way of life and is
willing to give voluntary service
for its maintenance is eligible for
membership"
This is a voluntary organization.
It is open to any race that cares to
join. Perhaps Irwin Cityite" you
had better get US an order from
Washington to draft some other
race to satisfy your whims. And
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-15
MYTH

One of the prevailing myths of professional liberalism
that liberalism and success incompatible.-P NJ