Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1950-05-13
The South Can Solve Its Own
Race Problem

The one thesis often repeated by southern leaders
is the thesis the the South solve its own Race prob
em IL let alone. 1t IS thesis which arose out of the
Idea that prompted the "unWrten compromise" of the
reconstruction era a compromise made between the
Northern and Southern leaders of that era in which it
was agreed that hencefoth despite the written law in
GLIDING the thirteenth fourteenth and fifteenth amend
mentS to the Constitution of the United States the
south would be let alone in its dealings with the Negro
One OF the most important incidents in the history
OF the SOUTH and of the nation that has more vital
aIected the lie and progress of the people of the
south than any other single fact the unwrten compro
mise mas oeen completely overlooked by historians
ana ABOUT 1t, little or nothing is known bv the rank
and file of intelligent Southern people,
Outside of the South the thesis-The South can
solve Its own race problem, if let alone-s heard with
doubt and misgivngs because having invented and ac
cepted the unWrtten compromise when ever and where
ever the question is raised, and the conditions ponted
a. regarding the rights, privileges and opportunities of
the Negro citizens of the South as compared with those
OF It's other citizens which include the right TO
vote and OF political participation the thesis is seen s
containing the theory and idea of graduasm and tho
charge of outside interference and Influences the main
Shed and Shboeth of those Southerners whose one all
consuming motive despite the challenge to democracy
IN the world today anything else to keep the Negro
IN the status quo of the unwritten compromise
because ne has the simple equipment of eyes and
ears ana some knowledge nowhere does the thesis the
south can solve its problem if let alone find
less nopeful response than from the southern Negro
Inc thesls That the south solve it's prob
e II let alone, despite the past and the unwrtten com
promIse despite outside opinion and despite the pres
ent DAY attitude OF the southern Negro does state the
IdcI Ce SOuln can solve It's problem
indeed the south must and solve it's own race prob
lem, but only when the mere thesis has become the
practical facts and practices of everyday southern life
set IN motion to dissolve its race problem
In order to establish and maintain the status ono
OF the u-Wrtten compromise it has been necessary for
the White leaders of the south keep the facts the
dutleS the responsibilities, the privileges and the on
portunes OF the community hidden from the southern
Negro the fact that led to the development of the dual
community and let down iron curtain between the
intelligent clements and the responsible leadershps of
the white and Negro community
To reveal to the Negro of the South the long hidden
FACTS, dutles privileges responsibilities, and opportun
Ties OF the community, to remove the iron curtain be-
tween the intelligent elements and the responsible lead
ershlp of the white and Negro community and thus
BRING the Negro into direct responsibility for helping
to solve the race problem of the SOUTH is first pr
mary and fundamental responsibility of Southern white
people who the truth in the thesis he South can
solve its problem if let alone;" because it
should be now evident to every intelligent observer that
after pracclng for long time the spirit of the nm
written compromise condition exist which neither
the white the Negro remove by working alone
and behind the iron curtain of a dual community
The South solve it's own race problem if let a.
one but not until intelligent white and Negro citizens
can get together in free and frank discussion of the
proDe and together work out plans of putting prac
cal facts INTO practice IN everyday Southern living
Once the white and Negro leaders of the south starts
getting together in free and frank discussion of it's prob
thing from each other the South as pointed out by
many distinguished Southerners including Justice Black
of the United States Supreme Court, will become ere
long, the best place earth for people of the white and
Negro to live together in progress peace harmony
and goodwill.