The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1950-02-11

Negro History week Although the observance OF the
week began in 1926 the history of the Negro goes BACK
thousands of probably rich as that OF any
other group people identified BY certain physca cnar-
acteristlcs
Negroes came 10 this country originally slaves but
with the short space Of couple Of hundred years,
reached the oprung practically phase OF Aneri-
can life-ncluding THE top rung of being suppressed
Credit for the establishment of Negro History Week
goes TO Carter G. Woodson. Of Washington DC pres-
dent Of the Association for STUDY OF Negro LIE ana ms
Feb 1919 There will be speakers telling the story OF
the Negro general and OF the most outstanding
members OF the race in particular
Yes forums school rooms ge assemblies
churches and at other congregang places conversations
will frequent themselves with the exploits of famous Ne
groes of the contributions made by them to the building
of America Any history for future generations which
fails 10 include the part the Negro has played in the build
ing Of this great nation. will commit grave injustice
Names like Booker T. washington James Weldon
Johnson EB, Dubois: Langston Hughes: Joe Louis;
Dr. Ralph Bunche Airs Mary NJ. Bethune, Charming To-
bias Frederick Douglass Oscar DePriest BENJAMIN Ban
neker Walter White and William Hiram Reves only TO
mention few have etched their names by their deeds and
works the scrolls OF American History regardless of
whether they the proper place in the text books
not
Negroes have not been written into all textbooks
they should have, within the past few years by
few ad-minded whites, and outstanding scholars of
the race We are hopeful. forward into the
depths Of the Hydrogen-Atomic Age the merits rather
that the dement's Of great people, will be accorded
prominent place in the annals of the endeavors
of this nation to which they have given their all and
continue to contribute unselfishly.
The immortal impressions Of the first half Of the
twentieth century AZ moulded by the Negro undoubtedly
will supreme challenge the generations that
follow Jrqaes,ionaby the work IF Young Negroes have
been chared and awaits their combined efforts
One horest member Of another race once asked Ne
gro Why should yoa have Negro History books Aren't
you included as Americans in various books?
He replied MY dear friend. ne are included in
few OF the books u this country but the story of the
thousaGds Of contributions given 70 the social economic
and cultural wel-beng of America is not there OF course
the white until rtsertk. wrote all Of the books
Nationally Of his own exploits touching upon us
only occasionally, sometimes without detail proper
knowledge.
Therefore Negroes tired If reading ONLY about he
white man decided TO do something about IT, That is why
there histories 81 the Negro rot only Of his
tenure in America bat extending thousands Of years back
and to many sections and countries Of the world
Although it an accepted fact but not widely known
Negro accompanied CHRISTOPHER Columbus on his trims
one was navigator on Of his shrs.
colored have given freely Of their blood in every
war which America has participated They are ready
again TO defend America. But they are mindful Of
the fact that the Constitution In addition 70 recurring
many duties Of is citizens supposedly guarantees many
privileges.
True that does but Of the guarantees are only
tnere IN name Currently there Is of the greatest
known, borne Of the that certain gros Of
nation are not accorded the full meaning Of the laws of
me RIeateSl INSTRUMENT struck from the mind of man
lie Constitution Of the United States
Yes we are camo1ng for passage Of the Presidents
Civil Rights Program. which would eliminate many Of the
shortcomings q great nation that has not vet ratured
after one hundred and se,enty-odd years
AS we undergo the transition from the Atomic Age
to the Hydrogen and other emi-anhlatng ages techn
eally speaking, it behooves all of black as we'll az
white to reinvestgate hearts; attitudes and our
thoughts as to whether contributing greatest
good for the greatest to the greatest number
During Negro History Week we feel as sppropri
ate tine as ever 70 force attention not only on the
achievements Of ourselves but also as We relate
to the other groups of the world
Negro History Week should be time when we
check yearly to pit thoughts toward improving the
world about us much than those who proceed
ed US on the horizon Of battle.
Battle for better position in the world in which we
struggle daily; struggle for better Jobs less prejudice
more emphasis the spiritual values of n universe
rather than the material Yes as we make our annual
checkup we should determine Individually whether there
has been progress or sufficient progress.
Concerning the Mysteries Of the impending war Of
gigantic and deadly cruel bombs and other forms If de-
structon, Negroes should not and will not allow
ourselves to forget the task of the moment in thinking n
monstrous plots by bigots of the world
We take the worse that is TO be offered Did MT
we survive slavery. of the brutal kind? Did NOT we
withstand the onslaught of the