Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1944-12-22
CHRISTMAS 1914
FINDS THE NEGRO NO NEARER TO CITIZENSHIP
RIGHTS THAN CHRISTMAS 1871

or the Negro has learned anything from this gobal sru
gle The white in his effort to disapprove the Naz
theory that Germans the masters of has
looked the fact that he still trying make that theory
hold here and the Negro his effort to assist the white
man in his conquest unmndful that he is the victim in
his home land of what his brothers dying to annhate
in foreign shores.
Last week. we stood in the foyer of the Pscic
Railroad station convinced that those dressed in
the uniforms of their country given preference in travel
ing civilians if and only their faces white The
soldiers formed into lneall soldiers and when the
gates opened board the train the white soldiers
passed through the gates first the soldiers held back
until the white civilians loaded any remains
the soldiers permitted to board the train If there
isn't any the soldiers not important anyway?
Leaving the MOP Station for the Rock Island and
glance at the accommodation brought back mind the
all important question, that thought had been settled
long ago: what Are We Fighting For" The Negro would
bepasengers cooped up swine in sty, and it
damn filthy The facilities seemingly
out of order with water flowing through the waiting
if you to call that The accommodation for meals
hole in Of the ROOM just large enough
for plate to be passed through tables for servceno
The seats the consisted less
of dapdated and oumoded chairs This is true picture
of the accommodation for Negro passengers of the Rock
Island Railroad in this city while the accommodation for
the white passengers perfect with comfortable service
for dining and every other service offered in railroad sta
tons The irony of the whole thing is, the Negro pays
Just mile ride the Rock Island the white
This is not condition that exists in Little Rock only
but be found in thousands of places throughout the
South This the results of bargaining ago between
the South and the ppieita BigWgs, who were camorng
for control their liberal Opponents gfve the
South States Rights and in return receive solid support
Over here called DEMOCRACY, in Europe is called
by another name.
These conditions will continue to exist until the Negro
wakes up and decides do something about it. The Negro
tn late he to
be free he must free himself The liberal white man is
not going to you He has fought to build your morale
to give you courage He has given you the weapon
which to fight with and has shown you just what be
done Now it is up fight battles. We are
cognizant of the that there many whites who will
get plenty mad but will have to let them understand
that we are state of complacency ourselves with
our brothers sacrificing their lives foreign shores to
make freedom for others while denied our Constt
ona Rights home, and these rights will be denied
to them when they If possible must show them
our side if not they will just have to get mad There are
many white people in the South who will admit publicly
that the Negro denied his Constitutional Rights and will
help the Negro his contention but the Negro must strike
the first blow and be prepared to continue his fight
The of the problem is coming with the ending
of the war We must get together We have had three
years of fun with wealth than it has ever been our
opportunity to have in any period What have we done
with it? Opened beer parlor threw dice and built church
es and of these going to be of any help to
when he gets hungry We have concentrated nothing
to show to the world that serious minded We have
done nothing to show to the world that capable Of
building a race We have done nothing but proven that
we are consumers. We produce for Others why can't
produce for ourselves We open laundres open
factories we open stores open junk yards
Others operate them and give employment to people
There are many who capable of operating
businesses We must stop making the mistake OF seeking
social positions as social with the idea that they
improve or advance social standing and ability
in irving to stabilize the for it doesn't make damn
bit of difference how far climb up the social ladder
are still Negroes and targets for racial prejudice.
We must organize ourselves and think OF something
more serious in life We have enormous purchasing
mower that cannot be overlooked in any market if can
control it, We have potential voting strength that will
oct consideration any state in the union If we can mass it,
This can only be done through leadership that the people
can trust and that leadership must be made from who
have learned since Christmas 194 that the Negro in the
South is not and will be satisfied until he is given his
Constitutional Rights and have the CUTS to tell the white
;e frstc citizenship rights,