The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-04-01
Urban League
EvaIuafed
From an address by Forester b.
Washington. At National Urban
League Conference.)

S~~~~>~~~~~>~~~~~~~ ~>e~~e~eS>es~~
From An address by Forester B.
Washington. at National Urban
League Conference.)
In my opinion Urban
League branches are apt to be
guilty of two major errors in
activities concerned with So
cial planning for Negroes. The
first error is their failure to keep
constantly in mind all the social
welfare problems affecting Negroes,
while being prone to concentrate
too closely on the single problem Of
unemployment and under-employ-
ment.
The second error Is In occupying
themselves too frequently with nom
social work activities. Employment
activities as a function of private
social work agencies have become
less important in recent years be-
cause Of the increasing nberaliza-
ton OF public employment offices.
ployment for Negroes with the ex-
ception of small number of COM
munities. does not present q prob
lem because Of wartime manpowef
shortages. The continued emphasis
on industrial relations TN Urban
League programs throughout the
country Is In nv opinion . serious
menace TO the future Of the Urban
League movement.
Need Broader Program
BY stressing job-6nding and job
training to the exclusion Of other
social problems. the branches not
only lay themselves open to criti-
cism by persons interested in the
social welfare OF the Negro. but
also encourage serious competition
from other agencies in the COM
munity organization field that are
less able to cope with and UNDER
stand the problems Of the Negro
community. II the league wishes
to specialize in improving the Ne
gro's industrial status. then Il should
frankly say so and leave to other
agencies the treatment Of social
problems other than unemployment
and under-employment. II on the
other hand, the Urban LaaC>
wishes TO maintain Itself @ eon.
fmsanaky -srunnlnmsIun ina oocisl
planning aEsnc1 tor Negroes
throughout dc eountxy. Tbera q
fneed for q 1Gx30Gw 1U~UUna urneenu~6n
Ipresent programs with the objective
OF broadening It's field and reducing
its emphasis on industrial relations.
| Suggested Activities
| Following are typical activities
presently needed in most northern
Negro communities which would
result from application of varied
processes" Of community organiza.
ton to the problem Of unemploy.
ment and unHer-employment II
hope need not repeat that these
should be performed by the league
only II other agencies are not pay.
ing sttention to them.)
!. Advocate the inte9ration Of Ne.
gro men and women In war indus
tries in skilled as wei a. semi.
skilled Jobs.
2. Cooperate with organized labor.
3. Advocate the use Of Negro
councillors IN industrial plants.
4. Guard against misuse Of Negro
women and child workers.
| In the problem Of ADEQUATE hous.
ing. community organization ACTIVE
ties might include protest against
delay in setting up public housing
projects available 70 Negroes and
promotion Of q movement against
rent increases. Promotion Of facili-
ties for mass recreation Is another
important community organization
activity. and this ties in with tho
problem OF delinquency because tho
absence Of wholesome recreation for
a large proportion Of Negro chill.
dren and youth In our industrial
renters Is as much responsible for
Negro juvenile delinquency as any
other one factor. Thus, Urban
Leagues should cooperate In the
SUPERVISION Of public dance halls:
advocate or promote adult educa-
ton among Negroes: promote out.
inSs for young people; secure free
admission - special events; plan for
the ESTABLISHING OF settlement
houses: participate In venereal dis
ease control: advocate reduction OF
costs OF medical care: advocate
more and better hospital service:
end develop convalescent care for
! Negroes.