The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1948-10-02
Baptism BY Fire

The l3-million Negroes in America have an ally in
their fight for first class citizenship the and the
radio.
That the pen is mighter than the sword is an adage
that is daily being proved With conditions they
today now, than the press and radio should
stand out beacons of light in world of chaos and dark
Their leadership should be strong and unwaverng
if the people are to be led to the final solution
There are foolish and radical persons who
attempting to preach the alleged superiority of their
hypothetical ism" the practical opportunities of
America.
The Negro is not to be fooled into turning his back on
land of security in exchange for mirage Yes he has
had tough He still having tough But he has made
rapid since his emancipation from slavery No
where else in the world could this have been possible
The conquering of America in the beginning
hard fight From fighting savages, suffering great hard
ships carving great cities and railroads of the wild
herculean feat America and all of its prvi
eges handed to no silver platter That
point Any nation, group of people who have
place for themselves in the have had to
through baptism of fire We going through
L has taken time toll prayer and experiences that
would the patience of saint but others have passed
the acid test and made their mark. When group at
tans high place in society and achieves economic
and civic the Negroes eventually to do
day they show that they made of sterner stuff
They prove that America, today still frontier in hu
achievement
America is still the ideal proving ground New fresh
UNEMPLOYED far opportunities concerned it is
that other land other system and other
country touch it,
Where else in the whole world are there so many con-
sutiona freedoms projections and privileges for all of
the people, regardless of their color creed?
Where else in the world there country $ unfet-
tered and free of ancient hidebound traditions that
allows railspIer to rise to the highest office in the
lard, slave child to reach position of honor that
merits the reproduction of his features coin? You
don't have be born king queen to be honored
in America Everybody has a chance and opportun-
ty but he work hard and take advantage of that
opportunity
America is still Young and there imperfectons.
Yes there flaws But enough have risen to the top TO
demonstrate that il be done in spite of the flaws.
II half the energy expended in complaining. whining
and crtczng put forth in constructive achievement
the would be further along
The miracle of America is not in the diversity of its
many groups but in its unity and progress.
bud with promise of yet greater things to Ameri
nromse-an opportunity. experiment with I'M
dreamed of possibilities 1t up to make the fullest
of them.
The Negro going through his acid If he keeps
his head and does follow the Pied Piper of alien
PHILOSOPHERS he win But he must make full of
the opportunities he does have.
lie stands to become of the most invaluable and
integral parts that this nation has Respected admired
and accented he will stand shoulder shoulder with the
people who have already made their place example
for the world.
He is America. America is in his blood His blood is
In America His sweat and blood helped make it possible.
With millions Of dark working for unity pro-
gress and greatness, America will march leader Of
the world living proof that democracy is not decaden
dream impractical theory, but workable nspira-
ton for all other nations