The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1950-11-11
William "a. Bonds
THE PRICE OF CITIZENSHIP

Inc pas,nsn' COOS has virtually mnimized the vot
ing strength of the south The poorer classes %
and Negroes who already find themselves IN poslHo.
where they can scarcely out mere existence nave
been sine the poll tax dollar to buy meat ana Dreao
for their half famished families They seem 70 reckon
from this angle that, whether they vote OF no' ues
must eat .,:-.
More and more the proetariat is coming to realze
that the ballot something than just scrap OF
paper; that it is worth more than meat ana rainen.
is badge of citizenship.
The weekly dole and the spasmodc gifts to the
worked and under-fed among us would change 10
hue with the free access and use OF the Daot
among the poorer classes of southern citzenry
MANY attempts have been made to abolish the poll
tax fee in many southern states with but little success
May the time and it is our wish that soon there
will be free ballot for citizen OF our tair lano
be he rich or poor employe employerbu until that
time comes let southern brother continue to pur-
chase his right vote with his 'sweatearned dollars
and consider il a small price TO pay for citizenship
The Magic Lamp in the Arabian Nights story, pos
sessed by docile youth is to be compared favorably
with the ballot. Aadn would make a wish, but unless
he rubbed the Magical Lamp, his wish would not come
We wish full citizenship for ourselves but
we must act
For years we have been wishing that the multitude
of njustices commonly practced against the Negro
would we have wished for equal educational ad-
vantages equal protection before the law and fair
trial in the smallest hamlet in the backwoods Sec
tons of the deep south.
We have wished that lynching would cease and the
spirit of Brotherly Love might prevail the world
We have wished for paved and wellghed streets
sections OF the city ClrcumScrlbed Tor Negro naDa-
ton southern Negroes have wished for equal pay for
all teachers. classified only by academic attainment
and by the color of their skin Wishes have gotten
us nowhere and hath profted nothing We have
Gently awakened from lethargy and doing
thing tangible to ward off these gross injustices.
The Negro South is fast coming into his
What's for the goose is also sauce for the gan
der If the ballot to the Southern Negro precious
that it must be purchased by sweat and blood what
should it mean to the Northern Negro whose ballot
like salvation, is free?
The first World War a signal for Negro emigra-
ton from Dixeland in large numbers, and since that
time there has been a steady and constant trek OF
southern Negroes to northern chimes Once in the north
free of many Of the gross njustces practiced in the
south they have recined comfortably the seat-of-
do-nothing and many refuse to go to the polls and
cast their ballots although the voting booths only
stones throw away from where they reside
Whether north south east west the ballot is
the price of citizenship, and if Negroes to at
tain full citizenship right guaranteed by the Con-
stution of these United States of America, must
and prize the ballot greatest earthly
possession, and il when njustces heaped upon
us by those whom elect to office.
If you not satisfied with the way things are run
in city county, state nation register your pro-
test with your ballot And remember, He who would
be free. must himself strike the first blow"
We have yet TO observe the showing Negroes made
in the recent election held November II they failed
in their attempt to put the candidates of their choice
in office, much of the fault lies at their doors We
doubt seriously il every qualified Negro marched TO the
polls. Some day wen learn the Price Of Citizenship.