Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1949-02-05
MUST GIVE NEGROES A SQUARE DEAL

From: The Jackson Daily News, Jackson, Miss
Gov. Fielding Wright is quoted soying that he
fovors the importation of Displaced European workers
who will fit we'll into inductoI agricultural fe-peo-
pie to replace Negro migrating Northword
The Governors propose is dubious. He OUGHT to do
some clearer thinking, through the subject
lnsteod OF planning for importation of European Ia
Dor it would be much better for industrial and oor
cultural leaders to put their thinking cops and see if
better living and working conditions connot be provided
for Negro labor being tempted to move TO industrial
centers in Northern and Eastern states.
Meaning specifically thot Negroes, who ore more
eff'cient IN neory oil respects hon ony displaced per
sons we are likely TO gel from Europe should be provid
ed with better schools homes and living conditions
We must frankly admir- cmono ourselves thot we ore
not giving the Negro square deal in these and some re-
spects.
We know, as matter of cold truth that Neoroes
generally speaking ere better adapted to work on our
farms and in factories thon ore the homeless and
persons in Europe who connot speak our
language ond do not understand our woys
Let's be perfectly fair about it,
Our Negroes have been migrating TO Northern in
dustroi ceners in order TO better their own conditions
something all human beings hove right to do
If we ore losing this class of wealth Droducers-ond
the Negroes really our chief wealth producers-;,
our own fault We should hove been ACCORDING them
better treatment in the Woy of better woes bette,
schools and better living conditions
II IS not too late to stop the migratory movement
prefer in he
South They like our genial and kindly climate Thew 40,
along more omicoby with the Southern White neonJa
thon they do with Northern folks
Let's be truthful omong ourselves
We need our Negro citizens
We should do oil within our power tnot is reosoroh,
to keep them among u.s.
We should not seek to keep them subserjent
We should give them fair chance TO better con-
difions for themselves and their families.
In our industrial centers we should see to it thot
they have parks and Fairgrounds, swimming pools and
recreoonol centers, just provide for white folks
We should see that they get better hosptoI and
medical core ~
No matter how badly they may be needed 70 tI
our crops and work in factories and vorous other
foms of employment moy thousands of the Nenoes who
noye ief M'Ssss'pp' FOR points above the Mason and
DIXON line ore not coming back TO their home stote
unless forced 70 do 50 by of depression and un
employment That heavy economic loss we have suffer-
ed is permanent
therefore, we should be doing our best to keep what
we have left should strive to make the Neoroes who
work tor US NOR contented with their surroundings Doy
them wages commensurate with the woek thew perform
and strive in every way possible TO cultivate more friend
iy redotons between our roces
As for the displaced persons in Europe, this notion
IS now DONG oil within Its noWoF- dnd much more than
mony think should be dono-for their rehabilitation
We ore pouring multiplied billions of dollars from or
Golfers into dozen European counr IS 70 prevent
stoToton and to brng about the estabi lrent Of or
DERBY government omong their people
But W., cant do everything for them they ore nov
asking end expecting.
We CONT oIwoys be their nursemoids and financial
bockers.
!nsteod of worrying about displaced persons in Eur
ope we ought to be doing lot worrying about GU,
industrial ond economic conditions here Of home with
especial reference to racial problems that we must face
souorey ond courogeousIy and deal fairly with those
who their living the sweat of their foces and
who the chief producers of our moterioI weolth