Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1947-02-21


Of thousands Of dollars in actual
money. to say nothing Of the time
involved.
When. after three weeks the
women had had no word from Mr..
Childress. they decided to ask a
prominent man Of the city to call
on him. and, on their behalf. urge
that he speak for them. The wOm-
ems emissary was informed by the
famed journalist that the invitation
to speak had been duly received and
considered, but that he had not
replied because no compensation
had been mentioned.
Mr.. ChildreSs was told that the
club would be most happy TO pay
him whatever he charged. He
told the emissary II was not q
matter Of what the women could
afford TO pay. but II was Ina
portant that they show by offer
ing to pay whatever they could
afford that they appreciated the
cost involved In preparing him
self to be able To have something
TO say which would Justify his
being their featured guest speak.
sr. They finally agreed ON an
hoRORarium Of SIS.
The speaker came and showed
pictures Of native life in both the
hinterland and the urban areas Of
Africa, which by the way were most
revealing because they showed that
the natives standard Of living Is
not far removed from ours instead
Of their being savages consumed
with u desire TO boil and eat fat
white people and n lot Of other
poppycock which white propaRan-
dists have over a period Of more
than n century striven with all their
might and main to make the world
believe.
In his closing remarks he again
explained the reason back Of his
delay in accepting the clubs invita-
ion, He emphasized the growth Of
an individual group or race is evi.
denced by the degree which the
individual, group or race expresses
appreciation for the worth Of values
enjoyed at the hands Of others.
He made IL plain that the honorar.
ium that they were paying him
was In itself relatively unimpor-
tant, but as u token Of appreciation
Il was Indicative Of growth on the
part Of the club. He then turned
and gave the SOS TO the director
Of the eolored boys club to use as
he saw At in the program Of that
character building agency.
Recently. I had q letter from n
citizens committee. composed Of
some Of the best people in the State
Of Mississippi, informing me Of a
great statewide Percy Greene APP
probation program and dinner
staged at Campbell college Feb.
~ in recognition and appreciation
Of the great fight staged by Mr..
Greene, editor Of the Jackson Ad.
vocate. in getting colorsd people
in large numbers to try 20 register
10 vote and 20 testify against In
famous BiIbe,
In their letter they reminded
me that any cOloFed editor Who
really champions the emaRcipa~-
ton of the oppressed from eco
RomIc. political, and social bon
daEe In the deep south loses the
support Of the powers that BE-
and suffers under sanctions u
various sorts Which r0hs him Of
that which makes survival posi-
bic. I should know; my own Sight
against the forces Ot prejudice.
haekw ardne~s and enslavemeat
Of eolorsd people In Alabama
has cost me mere than Sl0e. Gee
In the past rs years
The enlightened eolored people %
Mississippi have grown up, They
have the ability to appreciate the
fact that Percy Gre~ne's fight is
their fight. They appreciate u
enough 10 stage voluntarily this
Percy Greene Appreciation pro
gram. during which they are going
to give Percy several thousands Of
dollars. Not only has Percy put up Q
good hght. but all those eolOred and
white Mississippians who 6gh; Bal.
DO. without regard to consequences.
because they know they are right
make the greatest contribution
against totAlitAriahism ever made