Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1945-07-06

VI view 1OIh CONGRESSMAN
Richard Wright, the author ;
editor of Opportunity magazine,
and now a member of the Appeals
Board Of the New York State I'm
employment Insurance Board.
Mr.. Ives and Mr.. Carter believe
it is being solved; Mr.. VoorhiS and
Mr.. Wright think not. All admit
ted there has been some improve
ment in the Negroes status over the
past few years. None sought to
define the race problem" which,
doubtless, was a serious mistake.
At the end of the program the
members of the audience unques-
tionably had heard some exhilarat-
ing speeches and some sharp re-
torts, but it is doubtful if they are
any wiser on the question, is the
Race Problem Being Solved?"
Before any conclusive answer
can be given to the question of
solving the race problem" it must
first be established in understand
able terms, just what the problem
is, and following that, just what the
Negro expects. After ascertaining
the answers to these things, it then
will be up to the Negro himself to
find the means to achieve his objec-
tive.
Briefly, it would seem the Ne
gro'S problem" is that he is ill
equipped through training and ex-
perience to enjoy a full measure of
life in this country, and the reason
for this is that he is denied the
opportunity to get the training and
experience necessary for such en-
joyment. 1t thus follows that there
must be enacted special legislation
and the eXertion of political and
economic pressure to stop the
denlals. How can this be done?
In the first place it must be ad-
mitted that prejudice is vulnerable.
The talk about no one being able
to legislate against likes and dis
likes doesn't seem entirely sound.
In the South, for example, there is
Legislation that fosters discrimina-
ton, and children are taught almost
from birth to hate other children.
Is there any reason why there
couldn't be legislation designed to
foster good will or that children
could be taught to love other chill
dren?
The attitude toward Negroes in
this country could be wiped out if
we could skip one full generation.
But since that is not possible, it
means that it can still be done, but
the efforts must be positive, and
will have to be started among the
children, where the present pattern
Of master race" begins today.
1t is true that people already
taught to hate, cannot be forced to
love other people, though they can
be made to respect the rights of
others. On the other hand, people,
especially children, who have no
attitudes, can be taught to love and
respect others, just as they are
taught to hate and disrespect 9TH
ers. 1t is a steady, and well-direct-
ed hand steered by a vicious mind
that keeps the blue flames of racial
prejudice, and its consequent eco
nomic, political and social evils,
alive and burning.
How the Negro can achieve his
objective in the United States, how
he can win real freedom-freedom
to move from place to place IN
hampered and unrestricted-ha
never been definitely outlined. Per-
haps the one person who has been
most positive in projecting an idea
is A. Philip Randolph, international
president of the Brotherhood of
Sleeping Car Porters, and director
of the March On Washington Move
ment. Mr.. Randolph's thesis is
summed up in the program of the
March on Washington Movement,
which he describes as an organiza-
ton of loyal, patriotic Americans,
who love their country, love their
race, and love the human race.
eve have no use for Nazis, Com
munists, or Fascists or their