Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1944-03-18
Something For Mississippi Negroes

In recent weeks, Negro citizens of Mississippi al
though long accustomed to the most extreme exploitation
of the racial issue, have been put to very difficult
if not impossible test of spirit and morale, loyalty and
patriotism witness the widely published statement of
the junior SENATOR during debate the soldier
vote issue the United States Senate to the effect that
white soldiers fighting for white supremacy; the
recent statement by Senator Bbo who now by virture
of his elevation to the craftsmanship of the District Com
mittee is comparable to Mayor of Washington made to
group Washington Negro leaders, that the Negro of the
country had little for which fight in spite of the fact
that hundreds of thousands already in the armed
ices, with many having made the supreme sacrifice the
constant and bitter racs bgory and invectve of Con-
Rakn the ntenscaon of and efforts to make
imposing the Jim Crow patterns and laws; and
other statements from high places directed to prejudice
and ignorance calling forth the old and outwo technique
fear of force and violence the only method of deal
ing with the Negro question in the state.
In face of such existing facts the spirit and morale
of the Negro citizens of the state long time before bur
dened to degree far out of proportion with that of Ne
gro citizens of other states because of many conditions
with which he is daily faced of proportion those
faced by Negro citizens Of other states be in
far greater and urgent need of sustaining
power less while moving around in a daze of bewder-
ment and Illustration he loses all faith and hope in Chris
anty and democracy, in the simple truths of right and
wrong, and become utterly Indifferent to the duties and
responsibilities of American citizen whose country is at
war with powerful and ruthless enemels from whose
hands have yet to take all hopes of possible victory
Such existing condition imposes growing respon-
sbity upon the Negro leaders of the state when the
question and problem is considered from the standpoint
of alone But in it's important aspects, that of
the immediate future welfare and of postwar conditions
in the state these facts calling for the most sincere
and honest consideration the part of the white leaders,
well Negro leaders of the state
In urging the Negro citizens of the state to hold firm
y their faith and hope in Christianity and democracy
in the simple truth of right and wrong, and continue
give the highest consideration their duties and respon
sibiltes citizens of country which is at war,
ure conclusions with the hope that from them they
may be abe to get the sustaining powers of truth and
knowledge
In the state of Mississippi since the days of
sruction the Negro question has been the chief nstr
ment in the of the politicians, with responsible
business leaders given thought or consideration to the
question The question is still being exploited by polite
ians, largely for selfish but before
in the history of the state the responsible white business
leaders whose respol sbtes keep them the poti
cal area, but who at the time exercise powerful
Influence the politicians begging to give
thought and consideration to the Negro question: and the
affects of relations upon the future welfare the
state and while they have not yet become vocal and
Outspoken the political and those who have selfish
interest in existing patterns condition. time can
not be long before they will begin to make themselves
heard.