Arkansas State press., 1949-09-16

point. Rational people digest the truth, are glad to find it was
written.
Recently, a copy of the UE electrical Workers Union
publieation) News was given to us. A very momentous piece of
writing occurs in it from the pen of Mike Reed. We do not know
Mike Reed from the Shah of Allahbad but we will guarantee that
Mike Reed has more on the ball than most people will give him
credit for having. His jotting follows:
Imagine that someone lived way off on another planet and
was able to tune in to American radio stations. If the only
picture of American life he had in his mind came from what
he heard on our radio, and you asked him what Negroes were
like, what would he say?
Why, he'd answer, they must be like Amos N Andy, or
Rochester, or Beulah!"
"IIow would the man on another planet know about the
Negro who works on the assembly line? The Negro who teaches
in the neighborhood high school? The Negro who irons clothes
in a laundry all day? The Negro working with his microscope
in the laboratory?
Just think-there are GOA, 800 15-minute broadcast periods
every week-and less than a dozen say anything at all about
NEGRO AMERICANS. And what they say is usually twisted
and false.
That's the reason why 300 radio and television writer's,
actors, directors, and representatives of unions and Negro or
CARNATIONS held a conference this month to start a campaign
TO get rid OF the false picture of the Negro on the air and to
make the networks, stations and sponsors employ more Negroes.
"of those 6o4,soO weekly broadcast periods we mentioned,
not one is produced or directed by a Negro. You can't find a Ne
gro commentator or more than half a dozen Negro technicians
in radio. A few Negro announcers and actors work from time to
time-and that's all. |
Americas 2,700 radio stations boycott the Negro when he
hunts for work just as almost all industry used to, and as a
great many plants still do. Yes, the Negro can sweep up the
studio after the broadcast, or run the elevator, but nothing more.
The Keynote talk at this conference, held in New York,
was given by Canada Lee. Once one of Americas best boxers.
Lee has become one of the very few Negro actors given a
chance TO win fame in the movies and on the stage. When radio
or Nv build their programs, Lee said, "the richness of Negro
life, its hunor, warmth and humanity and fighting spirit are
not considered fit subjects for depletion on the air. Negro ac-
tors recently were asked to play the role of Cannibals on a
lelevision show, to eat a white dummy before the cameras. OF
course, they refused the role"
Ministries or clowns are what Negroes on the air are limited
10 Lee SAID. With rare exception Negroes are portrayed as gig
ghhg maids, Roahesters, Aunt Jemimahs and shiftless. law in.
ovlduais. Where, he asked, lis the story of our lives in terms
Oh Negro slums in which we must live, insecurity of life and
hmo, iood not available, and jobs not avafable?"
News broadcast, Lee said are news of the white world ex.
cept where a Jackie Robinson breaks through. The plavs Won
near on the air almost never allow a Negro to enter. ONLY in
radio music do you see any sign Of what the Negroes have IN
contribute, and even there the great bands of the ElGnetons
basies and G1lespies don't appear on a network program in
any regular way.
VI course the conference didn't accuse all radio of ruling
the negro out OF existence. Some stations, some networks and
certain programs have broken away from the Jim Crow pat.
Tern, on occasion. But these radio workers themselves agreed
mat the general attitude is mostly one being tolerant of the
Negro, whereas actually the Negro has a right to equality
on the air.
Under the law, they point out. the air belongs to the
peope-ALL THE PEOPLE"
That story tells a story! You may, of course. take II or
leave 1t for what you feel that 1t is worth, but knowing that the