The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-03-18
THE FACTS
IN OUR NEWS

s BY HORACE A. WHITE {
s--~~~>~s~~~-~~~s~~s>~~~ ~.~~~S~~~~~~~~s~s
THIS COMPOUNDED HOSPITAL
SITE AGAIN. 80. The boys who
are opposed TO the part OF the site
that extends into the Negro section
are very angry : 4 confused. They
distort tho truth so freely that II
Is funny. his Is to be expected
when an Issue SO important as
housing. disqualification and race
discrimination get all nixed up
as the same Issue.
A lot OF people who are part
OF this distortion OF the facts about
the hospital site know better or
ought to know better. Anyone has
10 admit that one or two Of the
loudest boys are just plain ignorant,
short-sighted and selfish. This is
not true OF the great majority Of
the people who are concerned. They
are honest in their feelings in being
opposed 10 the site.
The whole Negro housing picture
gives such people great concern.
Negroes are restricted and pro-
hibited In the matter Of housing.
Something must be done and must
he done now. There Is no dis
agreement on this among the more
intelligent opposers Of the hospital
site.
The major error that Is being
made Is that flat opposition to
the site does not work TO help
housing in the city Of Detroit for
Negroes. A flat opposition helps
only to crystalize the status with
us. This Is wrong technique. The
technique that would tell In behalf
Of Negroes and the economic in
terests Of leaders opposed to the
site would be to pry loose a pro-
gram SO that Negroes could achieve
what they want In . housing pro-
gram and economic relOc alton, A
dog In the manger attitude serves
neither the dog nor COW. Get IT,
Now. Just word about ap-
praisals under condemnation pro-
ceedings. The city will set a price
on property based on taxation value.
This Is starting point for nego-
iations. II the negotiations do not
end up In satisfaction to all parties
concerned, the matter can be tried
by . jury Of citizens. Up TO this
point In our city condemnation pro-
cedure. the citizens have always
been favored by the juries
Churches and special use property
have received bonus" One sell
dom loses under condemnation.
Lest any Of us Get heart failure
about the hospital site, it should
be said that the program now Is
to switch the site to the west of
woodward avenue. There is no
particular objection 10 this plan.
The only loss in this new develop
ment is that it takes out OF the
hands OF the struggling masses OF
Negro people q real stick" or in
strument to effect for themselves
advancement in housing and eco
nomic betterment for the few bust
ness interests in the old site plan.
Ten years will prove how short
sighted the opposition was. But
this may always be necessary
step for the masses who struggle
upward.
We must effect better housing
whether we can use the medical
site as a focal point or not. We
will effect better housing for Ne
groesl We may have announced
very soon q new site west of Wood
ward avenue for the medical site.
Too bad In view OF geological
trends. but that is the way II Is,
we must keep fighting. neverthe-
less The fight Is the Negroes fight.
1t ought not depend upon how
much paternalism we can have the
white man express, but how much
justice we can wiring from the
white over-lords!
SOUTH CAROLINA'S WHITE
SUPREMACY" STAND Some
OF us got all hot and bothered be-
cause the legislature of South Car
olina passed resolution reaffirm-
ing its belief in white supremacy"
We should not get excited over this
resolution by the lower house OF
South Carolina legislature.
The resolution indicates that the
false idea OF white supremacy held
by white Americans is crumbling.
1t shows how thoroughly black
Americans are challenging the false
position OF whites. This resolution
indicates fear. The legislators OF
South Carolina are little boys
WI istling in the dark" The greater
the progress OF Negroes in the south,
the greater will be the activity to
hold the Zine" against Negroes.
1t will be we'll for Negroes TO re-
member always that their progress
is always met, at first, by opposi-
ton from the controlling group.
No opposition. no progress. The
South Carolina resolution is a sign
Of the last hopeless stand for ex-
ploitation and discrimination on the
part OF cruel and ignoble whites
in the benighted south.
HORACE A. WHITE