The Mississippi enterprise. (Jackson, Miss.) 1938-current, 1946-04-20
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR NEGRO YOUTH
IN JACKSON
BY Willie J. Miller

Last week. in deporing the lack suitable recreation
al facilities for Lanier students Mr. James Rundes youth
full special staff writer for local paper said among
things that ut is than appalling that in city the
of Jackson the capitol city of the state there not hall
auditorium business establishment of sufficient
character where the high school students give their spring
and graduation dances and banques without their
lives to nothing of their character being placed
AND BECAUSE LANIER SENIORS DID GIVE THEIR
ANNUAL DANCE AND GAVE 1T IN THE SPACIOUS NEW
COLORED SKATING RINK dance that was attended by
the Seniors and their company number of teachers par
ens and the principal of Laner; and because all of
these grownups were loud in their praise of the building and
its accommodations this being their first visit the following
is being written for the benefit of Mr. Rundes and others
like him.
As and manger of the New Colored Skating Rink
want known that this building not erected to
pete with take the place of buildings that the city
county might erect for the benefit of Schools colleges
or any organizations The purpose of this building
provide place where Jaeksonan could gather in large
bers for wholesome recreation such skating dancing
The original plan for building have could be
EVER SAW FIT TO USE IT AS sUCH) until such accom-
modations were provided at the various schools
However II single student of Laner any of the
other schools this building will still be con-
Quoted dance hail. 1t will still be used for benefit of
thousands of boys and girls who have
been unable to continue in school, but who have the
need and desire for wholesome recreation their
unate friends Therefore owner resent Mr. BUNDLES in
direct words of against the NEW cOLORED SKAT
ING RINK and challenge him any else to prove that
any JEOPARDY when they attend dances build
than when they attend dances given in the
For when boys and girls the Skating they eth
er come with or meet the very same boys and girls with
whom they go to schools shows and other public places
Their lives characters danger than when
they walk the streets visit the local cafes theatres or STAY
at home For there is thing certain there NOTHING
they do WITHIN THE SKATING RINK that they can't
do within their homes certainly the same things
happen to them when they leave the building that can
happen II they are coming from church.
The Skating Rink is being operated under license
bought annually and is being profit being run lust
Mr. Rundes any other persons who had in their
possession would it We not attempting defend
acvtesDANClNG IS the business out there and natural
~ the management caters to the dancing public young peo
single who attends Parents teachers all
characters of their young people ALWAYS WELCOME
that detrimental to the lives and characters young
pie who attend the dance, invite them come to and
point out such things and at least give theopporuny
Mr.. Rundes has attended dance Skating Rink
entering this building should think he would be
full in writing words that though they be generally ap-
Piled can do but thing and that ntiidate minds
place IN jackson where Negro boys and girls meet in
OF COURSE LANIER HIGH SCHOOL NEEDS AN
AUDITORIUM THAT CAN BE USED FOR SOCIALS DAN
CES etc. for THE STUDENTS The other schools such
ested in seeing that such audors be provided but they