The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-06-16
Mr.. LEININGER SPEAKS

very confusing. Although he admits on one hand
that some of our finest work and production
records have been made by Negroes during the
war" on the other hand he argues that Negroes
possess some racial characteristics which prevent
them from adapting themselves to the modern in
dustral system "as readily as whites"
In another place he seeks to minimize the ex-
istence of discriminatory practices against the
Negro and in the next paragraph admits rather re-
luctantly we think, that "of course there is
definite prejudice by some against the Negro. =.
In still another place Mr.. Leinnger hits the anti
social behavior he has observed among some
Negroes and then states: Il recognize that new
found wealth and liberties in the hands of certain
persons no matter what their color is creating
tension"
AS we read Mr. Leiningers statement we found
two major points upon which we differ with him
considerably. In the first place Mr.. Leininger con-
cludes on the basis of his personal observation that
the obectional traits of Negroes inherent and
racial rather than the result of sociaeconomic|
causes. He states that the Negro is "racialy more
of an individuaist," etc. The charge that the fact
of race is more important in adapting ones self to
modern industralism is unfortunate.
We are reminded here of the personal observa-
tons of the experts who held at one time that
feudaistic japanese could never adopt themselves
to modern industrialism. Unfortunately for many
of our brave Negro and white boys in the armed
services, the japanese adapted themselves to modern
industrialism too damn we'll. Some experts even
claimed that the Russians were too thick-headed to
adapt themselves to industralism we know it.
We are reminded also Of the shock many whites
got in the last war when Army tests revealed that
Northern Negroes had a higher 10. than Southern
whites In short, it is great temptation to gen.
eralize about racial differences particularly when
no scientific means of challenging the generaliza-
ton are at hand.
The second major point over which we take
issue with Mr. Lennger is his willingness to use
his hasty generalization on racial differences a
basis for recommending that Negroes not try
to compete too seriously with white workers in our
industrial system. No matter how well meaning
Mr. Leininger intended to be- he plays into the
hands of our worst enemies when ne implies that
Negroes are only qualified for subsidiary position
in our economy.
We hold that all Americans should be given an
equal opportunity to make their contribution toI
the Nation in war and peace We hold further that
every individual American should be judged on his
merit and nothing else. A Negro worker who is
thoroughly qualified for job should not be denied
that lob solely because of race color. When a.
racial yardstick is used by employers qualified Ne
proes are penalized and such penalties are anti
democratic.
Mr. Leininger made one other statement which
Is rather amusing. He states: There have been
many claims of unfair treatment of Negro labor but
few have been proved before the War Labor Board
We suggest that Mr.. Lennger look into the files of
the Fair Employment Practices committee Does he
remember the hate strike at Packard where 10000
struck for week because three Negroes were up
graded in 1913? Does he recall the Philadelphia
Transit strike when the city paralyzed because
Negroes were made street-car and bus conductors!
Does he know that white PAROLES from Jackson
prison were used to drive trucks because the Team
sters Union here in Detroit refused to permit Ne
groes into their union and thereby qualify for these
Jobs?
Mr. Leininger would have been on safe ground
If he had stated that Negroes neither better nor
worse than other people who have similar educa-
tional and economic backgrounds On this point
all of our scientists are agreed. Poor and illiterate
Southern whites are no more adaptable ito the
modern hgh-speed industrial system" than poor and
illiterate Southern Negroes
All we ask is that Negro workers be given an
equal opportunity to participate in the economy Of