davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
THE WEEKLY DIGEST

drr's mother happened TO be near
by.
AT first it seemed that the mad
rage which followed this incident
IN Harlem was protest and
reaction against the true reports
OF the kicking around. sometimes
the killings, OF colored soldiers in
the South.
Trouble With Harlem Is atlanta
This early tendency 10 see the
riot simply as an extension OF the
conflict in the South seemed good
enough at first. To me it seemed
10 sweep away the claim that the
South has special right to deal
with the problem Of race relations
IN America as il sees At. irrespec-
tive OF the interests of the nation
as a whole: 10 maintain its caste
mores, as il once seemed 10 hint
that it would, in defiance, il neces-
sary. OF all the allied and axis
armies. II Confirmed a belief which.
incidentally. still hold. namely.
that the trouble with Harlem is
Atlanta. The tro=ble with Los An
~eles is Beaumont. The trouble
with Illinois is Missio .i--i.
only flaw in that first impression
as il related TO Harlem. is that Har.
lem did not riot against white
reople Harlem rioted against Har-
lem. True. il rsvaged shops and
bt inesses OF owners who get their
living in Harlem but do not live
there
Likewise beyond dispute is the
fact that the mob went for the
symbols of exploitation and op-
preston. but that was not its
deepest impulse. Harlem was try
ing to uproot and destroy its
ghetto existence. Harlem was sick
Of muggers and cultists and root
suits. Harlem was Mortified and
disguised by the fruit Of the beau
tiful years, and In . moment of
confusion and Illustration il
rioted against itself and tried to
wipe the slate.
The young intellectuals who
came 10 Harlem in the middle
'twenties made a wonderful discov-
cry. They found that il is fun TO be
a Negro under some conditions
Those who. like myself. had grown
up in mixed or predominantly
white communities even found that
some segregation can be fun. when
its completely voluntary. But the
New Negroes" have lived long
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
The WATCHT0WER By ROY WILKINS

fCatlon in the army or the second lowest cannot
possibly give the best performance. The cards
were stacked agains, the e2nd even before il
landed in Italy
But Mr. Gibson chooses 10 ignore or gloss
over the factors of the treatment Of the Negro
soldier IN training the segregation and discrim-
nation The men OF the 92nd caught hell IN
training MAJ Gen. Almond the commanding
officer treated them as Negroes. not as soldiers
Nj Gibson and Brig Gen. B o. Davis were
called TO +, Huachuca Arz., 10 try TO straghten
out the food Of complaints that came from the
men
The Negro soldier has been beaten up by bus
drivers shot up by civilian and military police
sent 20 jam crow post exchanges and theatres,
forced into back seats Of buses. mistrcsted on
trains and generally Inundated on every occa-
SION
The army policy Of segregation is as much re-
SrorSIblc for the showing Of the 92nd as any
other factor You cannot separate man from
his fellows from the induction center 10 the front
Inc. mlStrcat and crush him, and then expect
hlm to "join the team" al the last minute after
a pep talk and give Supcrativc performance
Mr. Gibson'S aspcrsion upon Negro officers Is
perhaps the most uniorgivable OF his reported
remarks Negro officers in tho 92nd mostly
unlor officers that is. second and first lcuten-
ants Their place is with their men in the front
line They take the orders Of the higher officers
and attempt to execute them. II they get killed
in the process they deserve not only credit Tor
their courage. but for their fidelity 10 duty.
The pattern of the first World War is before
us All sorts Of plans were made in ;dvance 10
prove that the Negro could not be good soldier
off No
tern continues in this war Mr. Gibson stands Ivy
while division OF o. per cent illtcrates Is used
as a ties, Of the Negro soldier Then he comes
forward and carries the ball for tho War Depart
ment. placing IN the record out Of the mouth of
a Negro. a statement that Negroes are not cap
able as lighters Mr. Gibson ought to resign. and
forthwith.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
SP|R|TUALS co TO WAR

sccu,ivc Sunday radio broadcasts he has proved
that there is no L. S color line when II comes 10
old Negro hfnnS (Swng Low. Sweet Chariot
Sometimes feel like Motheress Child ctcO
For tho past wear servicemen and their chap
lajnS have hombarded the Rev. Mr. Settle with
requests 10 bring Wings Over Jordan overseas
Good -humored preacher-director Settle is CON
WINGED that u. s. servcemen are turning to rcli-
gion more and more and he offers as proof the
two songs most popular with overseas fans Of his
hroadcasts: Hell Understand and Say We'll
Done" and Just Closer Walk with Thee"
In his warm musical voice. the Rev. Mr.. Settle
usually introduces the chors songs with hit Of
scrmonizinG. While he and his 2l-voiced troop
arc travelling and singing abroad he suspects
that the fighting men may also get a bit Of ser
mon and Bible.TcadinR now and then
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
AMERICANS BARRED

ny refusing approve establishment OF l,ooo-famly
Negro housing project in the lakewood district. the
Common Council has. in effect, told large group OF
American citizens that il cannot Nave homes in Detroit
Tee Housing Commission recommended the OakWooN.
district the logical site for the project The racial
design there is already undergoing change. Property
values would not have been adversely affected From
every standpoint il the most acceptable available
location.
In ruling il out. the Council left no alternative Any
other selection will bring greater pressure from
opponents.
porais who proposed that site in lnkster be suhst
tuted This strange form Of Americana the contrihu
ton Of couple of statesmen who their vote getting
power by their prowCss as athletes
The attitude Of the Council has grave Implications
touching the constitutional rights Of American citizens
II is late correct the error and ii is hoped
that the Council will reconsider its action with display
of sounder Judgment and greater sense OF response
biliy.
Detroit Free Press
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
By CLARENCE ANDERSON

not even for those few cases which might be
carried to court. Such cases. if ruled by the
court to be in violation, would receive a court
order to comply Refusal to honor such an
order would place a violator in contempt of
court.
Q.-Does the act include domestic workers?
A.-No, these are excluded.
Q.-Are employers only subject to the act?
-A-No 1t also prohibits discrimination by
unions. If certain unions have not yet seen the
economic desirability and public responsibility
of uniting all employees in their industry or
craft, regardless of race, creed or color. it is
evident they will not do so unless directed by
law.
Q.-Does this act confer special privileges?
A-No. 1t assures equal treatment to all. II
requires that persons shall be employed on the
basis of their abilities training experience and
other traits having to do with particular job
or with union membership, rather than refused
such consideration solely because Of unrelated
factors such as race, creed or nationality.
Q-Does the act require anyone to employ
Jews Negroes and others?
A-No. 1t requires that no one be refused
employment solely because of race, creed or
nationality
Q.-Does il curb anyone's constitutional rights!
- A-No. 1t rather guarantees to all citizens,
equally, the rights provided in our Federal and
State Constitutions. Moreover, any person
feeling justly aggreved by enforcement of this
act still has free access to due processes of law
whereby he may appeal to the courts for re-
dress of grievances
Q.-Does the act prohibit prejudice?
A.-No. What il does is TO prohibit the dis
ordinations in employment which are based
on prejudice This, our war experience proves,
be done quickly, wherever we have firm
policy.
Q.-Is not education better answer?
A-Disease, depression epidemics. health
problems and other complex evils resulting
from unemployment will not wait for educa-
ton but demand immediate action. When
uncontrolled automobile driving threatened
the welfare, education proved inadequate.
Laws were passed and enforced Moreover.
compliance with law has a tremendous edu-
cative value in itself Hence law and educs-
ton supplementary solutions, each of
which is necessary TO the success Of the other.
Gould il be effectively enforced?
A.-No law ever conceived by man received
100 per cent compliance Lawbreakers al
ways with us-whlch does not, however. inval-
idate our laws. The great majority Of people,
together with their business enterprises and
labor organizations. not only comply with laws
but receive therefrom feeling of rightness in
their own way Of life. Persons who object 10
legislation should not be passed because IL can
not be enforced are merely repeating time
worn argument advanced against almost all
successful legislation before its passage.
The human. economic and moral need for
passage Of this legislation will follow in a
series OF articles.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

State and Federal legislation of Permanent
Fair Employment Practices commission
Michgans Senior Senator, Arthur Vanden-
burg said in a recent letter: II think the great
est field for progress f.. is in State legislation,
through State laws. as is being done, for ex-
ample, in New York State
New York State has now enacted fair en-
ployment practices bill into law. Before its
passage, Governor Dewey stated that il will
assure equality Of opportunity for all elements
Of our citizenship, regardless of race, creed.
color or national origin It will be lasting
step in promoting harmony among the people
OF the state =. . It will make the rights guar
antccd by our constitution a living reality -.
its passage is an essential step in the process OF
preserving economic freedom fundamental TO
human liberty
Governor Dewey was pressurcd into keeping
the Republican party pledge in New York.
Michigan voters expect Michigan Republicans
10 keep their pledse-NOW.
Q-What unfair practices arc prohibited in
Michigan legislation?
A-The bill which is now before the Mich.
igan Legislature makes II an unfair practice TO
solicit workers on the basis Of their race, creed.
color or nationality; TO deny employment or
equal terms or conditions OF employment 10
any qualified worker solely because Of his race.
creed, color or nationality; or TO deny him
union membership because OF race creed, color
o. nationality.
C-Eow would the act nc administered
A-The state agency proposed by the act
would have Two functions; one, 10 engage in
educa ional programs consistent with the in
torcst OF the act second, 10 receive and adjust
Complaints alleging discrimination in employ
ncnt Complaints 50 received would be dis
MISSED fer lack of evidence or settled IN other
ways including investigation, Cancellation or
hearings When necessary, the courts could
be asked to enforce the act
Q-What specific penalties docs the act pre-
scribe fo- violators?
A.-Thcrc arc no specific penalties for vio-
la,ion OF the unfair practices referred to above.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

the trees and lawns are not in
peoples yards. Hazel Scott and
Cab Galloway and Jimmy Lunce-
ford and the rest would certainly
not be moved by a poem which
began, speaking Of Harlem. Let
US roam the night together" They
live in Westchester.
At least one reason for avoid
ing the Harlem night streets in
1912 would have been the fear of
muggers. Where poets went about
singing In the days of the new
awakening. now angry, frustrated
boys prowled. Where primitive"
children had danced on the side
walks, hungry. evil-eyed little
criminals lurked In doorways.
The rent party was . forgotten
legend. -Ou.landish cults were
meeting in some Of the house.
front churches where moaning
and shouting had formerly been
spontaneous and filled with joy.
What. in Gods name. had hap
pened?
To me there seemed only one
explanation. No matter what else
one may see there. Harlem remains
what il has always been in essence:
a black ghetto and a slum. a clot
in the American bloods;ream. And
the fruit il was bearing was the
fruit of the ghetto and the Stun
the fruit OF compulsory group seq
regation based on race. The chill
dren born there in the beautiful
years Of the middle ':Wenties had
grown up 10 be muggers and cult
lists.
Harlem's Riot
When Harlem rioted, somewhat
later, a fuller answer emerged. Il
Is now known that Negro soldier
was shot ard wounded slightly
when he attempted 20 take the part
OF Harlem poulet in an al;erca-
ton wiz white policeman in the
lobby OF small hotel The SOL
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
REvERSION

On q southern railway diner. .
colored WAC officer stood waiting
for a seat. A white WAC accompa-
MED by two white army officers
entered and spying an empty table
for four In the car center. said TO
the colored girl: What you waiting
for. come on join u.s."
The first WAC thanked her but
explained that colored passengers
were permitted TO eat only ut the
two end tables which were then
full. and which were separated
from the rest OF the car by half
curtains.
"Aw Shucks," said one Of the
army officers with q heavy south
ern accent, pay that no mind"
So saying he took her firmly by
the arm and proceeded with the
party to the center table.
The stewards indignant protests
were first ignored, then shouted
down. and that worthy seeing the
train M.PS disinclined to act. gave
in and ordered them served. IL was
a good meal and all was well and
merry until under the relaxing in
fiuence Of after dinner drinks, the
southern army ofYlcer opined In .
loud voice: If my old Niger
NANNY could see me now. here
eating and drinking with . niger
woman
Alfred r. Smith
In Chicago Defender
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

DEAR SIRS: have read Dorothy BaruCh's
~ moving article. Sleep Comes Hard, IN The
Nation for January 81 and found particular IN
tcrest, IN her account ot how the Maxwell family
was driven from a white community by ostra-
cIsn SANDER and threats Of violence. Id like
10 say that II doesn't have 10 be that way. PrcJu-
dice can be licked. We did II IN our own neigh
horhood Perhaps the case Of the JohnSons OF
IVES, Hollywood and their victory can pc taken
as a pattern for similar victories IN other COM
nunities The backbone Of the pattern IS the
G0U;ant deccncy T\most people once they are
informed. aroused. and organized
The JohnSons Jared better than the MaxwellS,
not because We have fewer blGotS IN our dis
trict or aye IN any way unusual but simply be-
cause ncghborhood liberal elements were al
ready ccarcd 20 fight. This is the way We did II,
Just before the last election group Of Us had
formed the West Hollywood committee 20 help
70 elect Roosevelt and 10 further democracy.
After election We enlarged our membership and
tried ~ work az being responsible ciuzenS--we
studied local state, national, and international
affairs formed investigating and study groups,
and made our wishes known 10 our legislators
in Sacramento and Washington
The JohnsonS-tha, isn't their real nare-sre
Negro family. ana they couldn't find place 20
live at any price. Finally they bought house
in our district. which Is white, and moved IN.
Their nCNt-door nciehborS we're outraged drew
ID a uctI,ioo s-A hegar campaign among the
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

When Negroes press 10 get SAL
aries eQualized where there are
such gross discrepancies as Negro
teachers being paid from one
fourth 10 one-ha!f less than white
teachers 81 similar qualifications,
they are trying to change things
overnight, although these inequali-
ties have existed for more than
hslf-cen;ury, When Negroes insis;
on equality IN areas where the per
capita expenditure for the white
child Is four times thai for the
Negro child, they are pressing too
hard--ever If they make it clear
that they arc willing 20 accept a
progressive scale toward equallza-
tion. When they ask for Negro
policemen. and for Negro phySi-
clans 10 practice IN taN-SUpported
hospitals IN a city whose to;a! pop
ulatlon is 800 600. Of which one
third are Negroes. the time is not
ripe. When Negroes show restless
ness because the white primaries,
The poll tax and other restrictions
prohibit them Tom voting for state.
city and cour;y officials who 20 a
large degree determine theiy-c!vlc.
economic and educational deStinics.
TIT cry is heard. wait until after
the war. a.;hough they have al
ready waited all their lIXeS. When
Negroes ciamor COR an cqus, oppor-
tuni,y 20 contribute - the war
effort by urging ;ha: d.scr.mina-
ton in war plants De abolished.
they are branded as radicals ard
sometimes called communists.
When. during a war in WHICH We
claim To- DC fGhtng for The -Four.
Freedoms for all peoples every
where. Negroes contend mat, as
;hey fgh, and die Tor 'heSe free
dons on the SIX continents ard nc
seven seas. the United States should
practice democracy a; home ard !,
the armed forces. they arc accused
of hindcrinc the war effort
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

tiveS. aims. attitudes and detectives
are truly Christian. Once convinced
on these points. he has a mandate
from God 10 take firm stand and
10 act. What the consequences OF
his action. will be, he cannot al
ways know. He can never know the
ultimate outcome Of what he does,
for he will probably die before the
results are in. The immediate re-
actions to what he does. whether
favorable or unfavorable, may not
be the final test Only time can
determine the final outcome. The
Christian will leave the conse-
quences Of his actions in the hands
OF God.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

invariably means inferior goods.
Inferior service ard inferior ac-
commodations. When. however,
they frankly admit their opposi-
ton. they are accused of seeking
social equality and Of wanting to
marry into the white race.
These accusations are astounding
and difficult 10 understand because
those who would withhold from the
Negro the things urged here must
admit that they are guaranteed 10
every American in the federal con-
stitution and the Bill Of Rights and
vouchSafed 10 all in the teachings
Of the Christian religion.
SOME FEW
ARE SINCERE
We really are left with nothing
10 stand upon but our preJudices
and our fears.
Il must be admitted tina. a few
Of the people. who say that the
time is not ripe for the Negro 10
become a first-claSs citizen or that
nc Is pressing too hard. are sincere.
Many Of the few have proved BY
words and deeds that they are. IN
every sense Of the word. friends OF
The Negro. History does not SuS-
tain the view that those who oc-
cupy the vantage point voluntarily
5eStow upon--or share with-thoSe
N Subordinate role the rights and
privileges which they. the priv
legged enjoy A few prophetic. plo-
ceering souls have had 20 carry the
torch forward /; IS the way o.!
history.
I; must also be admitted that
many persons use the TOO last
argument as an excuse for main
aiming nc status QUO and for pro-
Getting their fears and their preJu-
dices. The records VIII show that
many o. them have done little or
Nothing 20 further the ca,iSc 81 in
ter-rscis, good will BY actually
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

A.-The Republicans control
Michigan this year. In the leg
islaturc. for example, they
outnumber Democrats two to
one. Moreover, these Repub-
licans have made promises.
The National Republican par
~ stated in its platform: We
pledge the establishment by
Federal legislation of Per-
mancnt Fair Employment
Practices commission The
Republican party in the state
of Michigan stated in its plat
form OF last summer: We
pledge the establishment by
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
BY ARNA BoNTEMpS

tually incompatible minorities. For
the ideas and plans and the vigil
snce and distrust necessary to hem
Harlem in and 10 keep it there. will
create or maintain other Harlems.
and all Of them will not be black.
On the question OF democracy
America must now put up or shut
up.
(Arna Bontemps Is the author
OF several novels and juvenile
books. For the past year he has
been In charge Of the Fisk uni-
versity librzry.l
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

TIVE PRINCIPAL daily newspapers on March IS
carried an amazing statcmcn, Of an interview
in Rome with Truman X. Gibson j, civilian
aide 20 the Secretary q Va, on me alleged fail
urc Of the o2nd Division N Italy
!, the reports OF The interview arc correct, the
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

enough 20 learn that il is never
fun 10 be an alien. II is neither
pleasant nor wholesome to be de-
prived OF the freedom OF move
ment Of friendship or OF partlcipa-
ton in the essential life Of ones
country.
Harlem Must Go
Harlem must 90. The American
bloodstream cannot manage hard
clots of such size and density. And
all the other little Harlems must
change. Otherwise America will be
Balkanized into a nation OF mu-
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31

MANY QUESTIONS are being asked about
NA Michigan's FEPC legislation To attempt to
briefly answer some of these in question and an
swer form is the purpose of the following:
Q.-Why are the. Republicans in particular
being pressured to enact this legislation?
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
BY BENJAMIN E. MAYS
president Of Morehouse ColIege)
(Copdensed from The Wonoans Press)

find il in the North and find it in the South. find il
among liberals and find it among conservatives find
among Negroes and find it among whites 1T" be
summed the following cliches The Time Is Not Ripe.
Things Cannot Be Changed Overnight Negroes Are
ing Too Hard This Is not the Time Wait Until After the
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
SEGREGATION BADGE
OF INFERIORITI

Why do NegroeS oppose SeGic-a-
ton Because j, IS 4 oadGe - N
fcriority imposed ~ the Stron
upon The weak. designed - make
discrimination possible ard easy
and because. in practice. i almost
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
HISTORY INDEBTED TO THOSE
WHO TRAVELLED FAST

We are indebted today 70 those
who in their time were accused OF
travelling 100 fast and who were
told the time Is not ripe. Child
labor was abolished because some
body dared TO take the next step.
Women got the franchise because
somebody had the nerve 10 declare
that the time is always ripe TO re-
lieve human suffering and 10 save
human life Modern science owes
almost everything 10 Roger Bacon
who. travelling too fast, advocated
the experimental method in science
and paid the price by spending
twelve years in prison. The New
World was discovered in 1892 be-
cause a man continued 10 sail
against the advice OF the timid
who concluded that Columbus had
.ost his sanity We pay homage
today "a Palestinian Jew who.
travelling TOO fast. declared nine
teen centuries ago that God Is the
Father o. al and that al men are
brothers. The time was not ripe be-
cause they nailed Him 10 a cross
between TWO thieves.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
TIME Is
ALWAYS RIPE

To the Christian. the time is al
ways ripe 10 take stand for. ard
20 act on. the side Of that which
Is right. He needs 10 be certain
IN MS own mind that the situation
has been thoroughly canvassed and
that his methods, techniqucS. mo-
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-31
TWO HARLEMS

In places the autumn of 1924 may have been an
unremarkable In Harlem it like foretase of
paradise blue haze descended at night and with strings
OF fairy lights the broad From the window
a small in apartment Fifth and 129th street
looked the rooops of Negrodom and tried believe
nv ewes What a city! What a world