davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

unions who cannot raise their voices nor cast their
votes
When in the cause of human freedom Mr.. Ran
dolph protests against this organized banditry, they
accuse him of insoence and charge that he is dan
gerous agtator. These labor bosses who flout dem
ocratc principles and make mockery of the ideals
of the organized labor movement in America are
deliberately playing Htler's game and sowing seeds
of future conflict Mr.. Randolph made promise
that every Negro worker in America will gladly
keep. Negroes are going to press for justice no
matter how Infatuated these modern save-masters
become
We believe that the future of the whole Ameri-
can labor movement, CIO and AFL, is jeopardized
by the mperialistic principles upon which some
of these AFL bosses operate. To isolate Negro
workers in jim crow auxiliaries which have no
status in the organized labor movement of America
is to invite division in labor ranks which threatens
the wages Of all workers regardless of color. In
the last analysis the AFL bosses of Jim crow aux
iliares are digging the foundation out from under
their own house. They are defeating their own best
interests through blind adherence to tradition
of racial prejudice which will do injury to organized
labor far beyond their dreams.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
RANDOLPH'S PROMISE

Down in New Orleans last week A Philip Ran
doph made a statement before the convention OF
the American Federation of Labor which is echoing
all over America today. Mr. Randolph charged
that those AFL Unions which maintain Jim crow
auxiliaries for Negro members were practicing
"trade union imperialism" and trade union fas-
cism.' Incensed by these remarks, Charles j. Mac
Gowan of the Boiermakers Union stated that the
speech of Mr.. Randolph was full of arrogant and
insolent statements"
The tall, dark, somber labor leader thereupon
gave the AFL boss prophetic answer Get as mad
as you like but the Negroes going to fight for
their rights no matter how mad you get"
Each year Mr.. Randolph addresses the annual
AFL convention in behalf of Negro workers who
are being Disseminated against by several of the
most powerful AFL unions. Just as regularly the
same AFL bosses take offense and accuse the Negro
labor leader of insolence and arrogance How these
labor leaders can twist logic and attribute to Mr..
Randolph the very traits which they themselves
symbolic is one of the marvels of our time. These
arrogant overlords of human sweat and skill braz-
emily proclaim their right to extort dues from Negro
workers who cannot become members of their
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

forth. This should not be surpris-
ing that people. supposedly beyond
the muddy basement Of the wor-
ship Of things. no matter how they
are gotten. should now be standing
In awe at this show of affluence.
We have been a starved people.
Things for us have represented
equality. Things represent an ef-
fort at throwing off the bonds and
chains OF race discrimination and
denial of opportunity. Therefore.
when one has them, we like to say
TO the white world. See here what
one OF our race has-we are just
as smart as you" The poor will
give Of their earnings far beyond
reason and prudence to help a
Prophet give Oft show OF af-
fluence. They will do this because
there are certain vicarious expert
ences OF grandeur the poor have
as their Prophet" lives in luxury.
II can be likened unto the identi-
fication a young girl Of eight makes
with her mother. You will notice
that she wants 10 wear her moth
er's dresses, her mothers shoes
and hats in the street. For a little
while she lives vicariously, or by
identification, the life OF her moth
er. Methinks she does this in order
10 live successfully the life Of a
child who has not been made too
happy a. q child.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
STRAIGHT TALK

ST. LOUIS, Mo.-The train upon
which ride. now speeds south.
II will not DE long before !
will be receiving that hospitality
the white brother extends the
black brother in the land of cot
ton AS get nearer and near
er this land Of ZOO per cent
Americans my thoughts turn to
the South and the Southerner,. {.
These people. who hnd it so diff
cult to forget the days Of slavery.
Most historians agree that even
II there had not been a Civil war,
the South would have abolished
slavery in another generation or
two Negroes were becoming
increasingly difficult and danger
Gus TO handle-while wise men OF
the South were beginning TO real
ize that their own best interests
were being threatened by the in
stitution of slavery Contrary
to the popular belief-whites, for
the most part, who opposed slav-
cry we're less moved by the
thought that i: was bad for the
Negro, than by the realization that
ii was increasingly harmful and
dangerous to the well being Of the
white man Hence, the for
ward-lookers signed up for its de-
struction.
Following their same line of
reasoning, l wonder that the wise
ones of the South today don't see
the wisdom of going a step far
ther Why can't they see that
trying to keep the Negro a second
class citizen is handicapping the
progress and enlightenment Of the
Southland that 1t is apt to prove
dangerous and costly Why
can't they see that just as slavery
had to go--the double standards OF
citizenship in the South must go
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

Trying to develop civilization
under democratic forms in a COM
munity which maintains first and
second-class citizenship, is an ex-
tremely difficult feat. I am told
that the Greeks did fairly good
job OF it, but there is nothing In
Arkansas TO indicate that such
will be duplicated by the Arkan-
sans.
No ruling class has ever bene-
flied in the long run by the exist
ence OF a helot class The
very act OF keeping people down;
Of impressing them that you are
the big it" takes much from you.
The Southerner can never
grow to his full stature as a citi-
zen and man as long as he in
sists on keeping the South a land
where the Negro must raise his
hat and "sir" anything that wears
breeches-just because its face is
white.
The Negro question of the South
is not question of whether the
white man loves the Negro but
rather of whether the Southerner
loves the South Keeping the
Negro down is not nearly as inn
portant as is the question of saw
ing the South and preserving the
institutions Of America.
Southern whites are sending
their boys and girls thousands OF
miles to wipe out race hate and
insure a free world They
want to string Hitler up because
he insists on building a super race
yet here IN Dixie the Southefnef
seeks to maintain the same type
Of structure their sons are dying
to destroy at doesn't make
sense" II the South is right. Hit
Ter is right II Hitler Is
wrong. the South is wrong .
! Which Is it?
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

just read Deep River" or Free
dom Road" and then get some
fight in you. Makes you open your
eyes to how stupid and appeasing
We are about all problems these
days, race or otherwise. while in
the pre-Civil war days. people who
thought, did; and not God or the
devil could stop a real abolitionisti
We've let ourselves be fed on milk
toast and accepted weak sops in
stead OF equality.
Since woody" died and new
that young Claude Cooper II lesv-
ing the Y for his own drug stsre
In Inkster, there will be almost
an entire new set Of faces st Sc
Antoine. Especially since - we
hear IT, Hauser's putting I'm all new
boys. Didjs hear that Bob Brady
In cut for the now vacant member.
ship Secretary Job: We're bettans
he'll get IT, aren't ysss'
The dailies here really did q hne
job on Mrs. Ardenah Stephens,
but where in tarnation were they
when the news broke Of Rev.
Peck's death?
u X q
And that's . good point the
JAWS George Crockett made In
his Chronicle column last week
that we segregate ourselves too
much. II we're all equal. then the
white folks are just as seed 90 US,
boy. Don't be 20 damn self
scious! Yours for freedom.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
LETT E R s
TO The Editor
EDITORS NOTE: The follow

EDITORS NOTE: The follow
ing letter was sent 10 q teacher
at Northeastern high school. We
pass II on aS one service mans
thoughts while away from home.
Dear Sir:
How is Northeastern high getting
along? I take II for granted that
you and Mr.. Brown are fine. I
hope am not wrong in doing 30.
As a rule l take too much for
granted.
At the present time ! am doing
fine. That is more than could
say couple OF months ago. II was
like coming before you when I
skipped class. didn't know how
the outcome would be. That was
during one OF the latest invssions
in the South Pacific. But am not
at liberty 10 tell you where. All
OF us have seen pictures OF the
Marines when they were making
beachhead. but It's lot different
when one has TO go over the side
and down the net into the landing
craft. That's when the worrying
and the praying start.
Then when the boat Is about
one hundred yards offshore--the
mortars start getting thick and
you hear the bullets sounding off
as they 90 by. Then you hear the
bottom OF the boat scraping on the
coral reef, The boat stops. The
coxswain gives the order TO drop
the ramp The troops hit the
waves! And that's when time seems
to have seconds for hours and
minutes for lifetimel
On the way in--you start think
ing. Wonder where I'll get mine"
When you hit the beach, you dig
in. That's the front lines Z.
Then the push begins and II isn't
stopped until the enemy n no
more. II was a lot different from
any picture have ever seen or will
ever see.
Well. Mr.. Hitler. that's about all
for now. thought you would like
to know about some Of your ex-
students in the service. I have
seen few OF the Northeasterners--
Sgt. G.. Neukirk. Sgt. George Dud-
Eel. and Cpl. Harold Uwsorey. They
are all overseas. Tell Mrs. Arnold
and Mrs. Rinehart hello for me.
Pvt. Aaron Lloyd
p. s. - I am in the Mariana
islands.
The following letter 10 printed
in its entirety as a picture OF what
CT dreams Of and thinks OF. Cpl.
John Roxborough is the son Of
Mr.. and Mrs. c. A. Roxboroush Of
this city.
Dear Pa and Hazel:
Just line TO let you know that
| am somewhere in France. safe
and well. The living conditions
are bit rough. but now they have
come 10 be the natural order of
things. The simple things OF life
that are taken for granted in the
~see LETTERS, Page I =
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS
CIVVNG

One Of the simplest ways TO
solve your Christmas shopping
problems is 10 choose books for
gifts Always a good and easy
way of pleasing everyone, service
man and civilian alike. Book Civ
ing during these war years means
avoiding crowds and waiting. In
the field Of literature of and about
the Negro there is rich crop OF
books from which to choose. The
following list includes the best OF
1944's output and are grouped ac-
cording to title to make ii easy TO
choose novel for that fiction
lover on your lists or more seri-
Gus work OF biography. history or
poetry for one OF different literary
taste.
NOVELS
strange Fruit" by Lillian Smith;
Reynal and Hitchcock; S2.75. A
truthful story Of small COM
munity in the Deep South and
Of the love OF colored girl and
white man which trough I
tragedy in its wake.
Deep River" by Henrietta
Buckmaster; Harcourt. Brace
and Co, So. A gripping histori-
cal novel of the period just be-
fore the Civil War which tells
Of the efforts Of one courageous
Georgian TO stem the power Of
the slave-ownng aristocracy.
Freedom Road" by Howard Fast;
Duell. Sloan and Pearce; s2.75.
An excellent story of the Recon-
struction period in South Caro-
lima when for short time white
and black men worked in unity
for the common good.
winds Of Fear" by Holding Car
ter. Another fine novel OF the
South; the story il tells is as up
to-date as your newspaper.
Fire Bell In the Night" by Con-
stance Robertson: Henry Holt
and Co, S275. A story Of the
Underground Railroad in upper
state New York.
Llama" by Martha horn:
Charles Scribner's; S275. The
love of a beautiful mulatto girl
for young Frenchman laid
against the background of life
on a French island possession
after the fall of France.
"Some Of My Best Friends Biog-
raphy Are Soldiers" by Msrga-
ret Halsey. The author calls il a
sort of a novel" Entertaining.
breezy and outspoken against
race prejudice.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
IN EXTREMIS


If the Devil had to choose place for brief
sojourn on earth, it would be a toss up whether ne
would choose Berlin or Detroit After all, the
wicked people in Berlin are due for rude awaken
ing soon while the wicked ones in Detroit area
will probably remain here as long as life lasts. Old
Lucfer would get his biggest welcome this season
out at Crosse lie where well-to-do whites are now
organizing against the possibility that some Amer-
can citizens of color may use the islands dock
facilities.
1t used to be favorite theme among race rela-
tons experts that only the ignorant and ill-bred
whites were prejudiced and Disseminated against
Negroes. From this point of view we could explain
what is happening out at Dearborn where there are
more ignoramuses per square foot than any other
area in Michigan. The anti-Negro activity among
the Dearborntes therefore does not upset the theory
of the experts But Crosse lie is considered upper
middle class community where some of the most
substantial citizens of Detrots business civic and
social life have made their homes.
These upper-crust whites are now organizing
an association refined mob, to discourage any
Negro traffic up and down the tree-ined lanes of
their sylvan paradise. 1t is not question of Ne
groes living in the area, but rather question OF
Negro traffic. group of Negroes bought an
island in the middle of the river which lies about
a quarter of mile from Crosse lie. Fearing that
Negroes might seek to use the dock facilities OF
Crosse lie in order to reach the island they have
purchased, the snobs have become so excited that
they are mobilizing to keep Negroes from setting
foot on Crosse lie.
This fantastic development might lead some to
believe that the very sight of Negro was enough
to drive these alegedly intelligent Americans out
Of their Wits This, Of course, il not true. These
snobs often hire Negro maids and cooks when they
can get them at low enough wages for long enough
hours They do not mind Negroes in the capacity
of servants, but they will fight at the sight OF
Negro who owes them no Difference or allegiance.
It has been reported to us that there are few
brave souls in Crosse lie who are opposed to the
organization of this association to keep Negroes
off the island. These whites are true Americans
who have sense of decency, but, alas, they are IN
the minority. Nevertheless, we believe that the
time has come for the whites who believe In falr
play and all other liberal elements in our community
to stand up and start fighting the wave OF raclsm
which is about to make Detroit the hate-caplta OF
the United States.
The racist controversy, which has grown stead
iy during the war years, has created so much dis
unity and conflict that the public peace remains
forever threatened The ring-leaders of the anti
Negro movement out at Crosse lie as we'll as the
hate-mongers out at Dearborn ought to be quar-
antned to prevent them from communicating the
life of our community. They are simply looking
for trouble and they are determined to find'it.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
AS OLD AS IT SEEMS

IT,, Hales were receiving con-
grstulations on their first grand
child.
We'll. old boy" somebody asked
Mr.. Hale, how does II feel 10 be
. grandfather"
Feels all right 60 be q grand
father" Mr.. Hale replied, but
hate like the devil being married
TO . grandmother"
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

department.
IN o. They
should 60 ahead
IL the need Is
great enough,
r e z a r dless Of
opposition. We
know the hous-
| n e conditions
are bad in De-
troit and there
fore any effort
to check i'm
pr o v q m Q n Is
would be in d.
rect opposition
10 the factSs
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

mo. I think
that the gov
eminent should
use its investi-
gators 10 deter
m inc w h a /
c o m m u n tiles
n e e d housing.
They should act
on the advice
given by these
investigators re-
CARELESS OF the
reaction Of the
localities.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

People o
Dearborn have
some right. but
in an emergen-
cy like this and
for the sake Of
victory, I h e y
should not bslk.
II there were a
mixed housing
pr o j ect, this
housing pr o b.
lem would not
be so acute"
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

enjoying. The
facts about his
rise 10 notori-
ETY. and discus
sion are pretty
well X n o W n.
Some Of them
are sin lister
facts, however,
and have not
been told TO the
public. Il II not
the purpose Of
this column to
re W cal them.
Additional facts
Is far n the
public Is con-
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
ENDURING Reporter

Question: Should the government
follow the wishes Of communities
such as Dearborn in the matter Of
public housing?
Jean Embry. $50 Z. Elizabeth,
Fuller Products employee - Sa1,s
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

''The govern
ment h o u | d
decide w h a I
people are to be
housed in a GER
tain locality. AS
long as we are
A m e ricans we
s n ould be
treated with
r e pc CT and
equality. All
colors OF peo-
pie IL ght for
America. { h e y
should S n a r e
all accommoda-
tons alike"
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
BOOK NOTES
By GERTRUDE SCOTT MARTIN

Co. A thoughtful, Well-Written
account OF how our schools have
failed and what we can do about
il.
Probing Our Prejudices," by Hor-
tense Powdermaker; Harper and
Bros; S.65. One of a series of
books on intercultural educa-
ton. Psper-bound.
RELIGION
"A Faith TO Free the People" by
Cedric Belfrsge; Dryden Press.
A moving account Of the life
and work of Claude Williams,
director Of the Institute Of APP
piled Religion, with headquar-
ters in Detroit.
BLACK Gods Of the Metropolis v
by Arthur Huff Fauset; Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania Press. Five
religious cults are briefly but
thoroughly examined by the au-
thor.
"Were You There When They
Crucified My Lord" by Allan
Rohan Critic; Harvard Univer-
sity Press; $500 Thirty-nine pen
and ink drawings illustrating
the spiritual, Were You There"
POETRY
I'VE Who Would Die" by Binga
DESMOND; A. VI. Wendell Malliet
and Co.; $500 A collection OF
vigorous poems which grow out
of the experience Of their author
who is an athlete, physician and
traveller
Rendezvous With America" by
Melvin Tolson. A Negro poet
writes ably of America and its
problems.
MISCELLANEOUS
american Dilemma" by Gunnar
Myrdal; Harper and Brothers
vol; $3.50. A comprehensive
study Of the Negro in American
life and the last in series bear
ing that title. Interesting read
ing throughout.
Organized Labor and the Negro
by Herbert Northrup; Harper
and Brothers. Chapter and verse
on the treatment of the Negro
by labor unions in this country.
without Bitterness; o. Orizu:
Creative Age Press. An African
prince writes Of the problems OF
his people.
Prejudice: Japanese-Americans,'
by Carey McWilliams; Little,
Brown and Company. A fort
right account OF the treatment
OF one minority group in this
country and the challenge they
offer 10 American democracy.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
1.-THE FACTS
; M OUR NEWS

PROPHET" JONES - NOT A
STRANGE PHENOMENON
People In Detroit are having varied
reactions 70 the great amount Of
publicity Prophet" Jones n now
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

Lester McFalI, Accountant No. 3,
Michigan Dept. Of Revenue. $3.50
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

Lucille Greene. COG r. Vernon,
Office Secretary, NAACP.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
BIOGRAPHY

Georke Washington tarVer, by
Shirley Graham: Julian Mess
ner. Inc. A biography OF the
late DR. Carver designed for old
er children which Will please
their elders as we'll
Thirteen Against the Odds" by
Edwin Embree; the Viking Press.
Short biographies OF thirteen
well-known Negro-Americans.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

Christy Cyclone" williams, II
Alger. boxing trainer ut Monroe
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
EDUCATION

Your School. Your Children" by
Marie Syrkln, L. B. Fischer Pub.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

When you get q free moment
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

The boys In the know are saying
things must be kinda raw over In
Europe cause Gen. b. o. Davis has
been assigned TO that Theatre for
long spell. Course now. we're
wondering what In hell the Gen.
eral will do about II even II u does
stink. Think maybe he'll throw
Patton or Eisenhower out7
WA # X X
When you get q free moment
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09

The Steelworkers' Policy COM
mittee has agreed TO accept the
new WLB directive for wage hikes
only within the Little Steel formu-
la which shows labor can take it
like man.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-07

CALI OUR ADTAKER al 40 for
Classified Advertising servicA
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-07
Farms For Sale

ANN ARBOR-YPSILANTI tBstween
$50 acre stock farm, good land.
complete sets hldgs. Sl2b per acre
Best buy IN this locality.
15t ACRES ; miles from Ann Arbor
Bldgs. worth price OF farm, $40, 900
Oru Ferguson, 92S Forest, Ann Ar
Dor. Phone 22S3s.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-07

az ACRES miles from Bomber
plant Modern house and large
barn. Call 24S3-J-4.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-07
Ehman & 0reenstreet
X L 4 l. 7 . X S
40 W. Michigan. Phone li57

NORTH NORMAL street Bungalow
bath. furnace. garage Nice dis
trict near college. tt250 Terms
II. Peet. 50 \. Huron. Phone. 1871
MODERN 5 room house with garage
house lot 30 by 500. BY owner
$40 River
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-07
Houses FOr SAFE

BARGAIN
CONGRESS ST Large modern
house Good income. Two com
plete. baths. two apartments mp
stairs, furnace double garage,
close In. also very nice large
barn which could be remoie.ed
into income. Spacious grounds
with beautiful large shade trees.
Price $1,000. Terms $500 down.
500 month. X. Poet. SO y. Huron
81, Phone 1871.
NORMAL ST. 2 room modern Mouse,
Very large front porch. bed
rooms and bath upstairs. S rooms.
stool and hardwood floors down
with stool IN basement. furnace.
garage. II. Poet, 50 No Huron
81. Phone 1871.
LARGE ROOMING HOUSE !
rooms. Running water In apis
garages. -Four rooms vacant Pos
session at once. owner. 9lt Con
gress.
CALI OUR ADTAKER Al 4iO FOL
Classified advertising servicA
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-07
WINE WOMEN AND SONG

FAIRBANKS-INS- In Alaska
native women are 'klootches." To
Alaskan soldiers wine. women and
song" Is "hoock klooch and pho
nograph."
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-07
REAL AMERICANA

COLUMBUS. O.-INS - En-
ployes OF the Curtiss.Wright war
pane plant will receive the added
thrill OF building 10 OF the famous
Curtiss-Wrlght Helldiver dive
bombers. for service aboard an I'M
named new aircraft carrier "X".
Using a Treasury Department val
uation OF 100000 as the cost OF a
dive bomber. the Helldiyer-builG-
ers during their campaign, which
began Sept %. have bought $1,000
oar In War Bonds through payroll
deduction and cash purchases.
enough 10 "buy" 10 dive bombers.