The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-04-15

and reputation Is the open door to
discrimination OF all kinds. In his
opposition to Segregation the Negro
Is no mere visionary: indeed. he II
the practical-minded,t the wary one,
in that he does not permit his think
ing 10 become beclouded by decep-
tive promises OF equality in segre-
CATION" Segregation is. and is meant
to be, the hallmark OF inferiority.
People living in such areas know
only too well that ineQuality-to
say nothing Of incipient persecu-
ton Is the be-all and end-all OF
segregation.
Democracy n Mockery
Rebuilding is usually a discourage
ing process. as momentum lags in
uncertainty. negation. and the re-
covery Of forward action. The effort
is slow. uphill course. which de-
mands sincerity. Imagination. per-
severance. and courage. Firmly i'm
bedded attitudes may not be
changed on the spur OF the mo-
ment, but thoughtful Americans
throughout the country ought to
acknowledge the mockerv in wha.
passed fer democracy in their own
country: thoughtful Americans
ought 10 understand that no pro-
gram based on the principle Of segre-
cation Will ever solve race prob
lem.
Negro Press
Because @. the spirit Q. the
American white press. the Negro
newspaper has developed largely as
an organ 81 protest Tha. the tone
o. many Negro newspapers is de-
cidedly yellow TO one would deny
As part and parcel Of American
journalism the Negro publications
embody the characteristic traits O!
one kind az American newspapers.
and the Negro publishers. who arc
also good business men. recognize
the selling Qualities OF sensational
features as we'll as the fact that
there are readers, black as we'll as
white. who do not enjoy yellow
journalism But the Negro would
he In q pli"ht sorrier than the one
In which he finds himself today.
were II not for the Negro news
papers. Catering 10 an indifferent
ated mass Of readers the Negro edi-
tor cannot be entirely conservative,
even though he himself would not
INDULGE wholly I'm sensationaliSm.
To satisfy some OF his readers he
often offends the taste Of others.
but he Is welcomed by the entire
group Of Negroes because he reports
more fully. and usually with greater
regard 10 the whole truth, news OF
special import 10 Negroes. Many
readers OF these journals would not
condone unwholesome flavor or
offenses to good taste. but they are
grateful 10 a newspaper courageous
enough 10 develop a policy charac-
,erized by fortnight statement on
the fundamental issues Of the Negro
problem and by uneuuivocal &C
ceptanee OF the principles OF de-
mocracy. Such a policy Is conducive
to unqualified good. not only for
the Negro but for the country ms
a whole.
Federal Law Necessary
One II not SO naive rs TO marine
/ that q federal measure prohibiting
discrimination on account Of race
In institutions and branches Of tho
government supported. wholly OF
I'm part. by federal funds would bs
. cure-ail for race rejudice: how
/ ever, nothing less than q strong
uneQuivocal law can hold In cheeh
thass xvho set nm and nerpetuatf nm
democratic policies In the near and
) far-flune projects Of the govern
ment. Such proposed measure
might. and probably would. expert
enee the perennial fate of the anti
! lynching bills. but just as The Ma
tional Association for the Advance
ment Of Colorcd People has showl
no signs Of abandoning is leader