Arkansas State press., 1951-08-03
DOWN OUR WAY
by frances sampson

why Tinker With Progress" is the topic for editorial
opinion Of the Pine Bluff Commercial daily newspaper in this
city which refuses Miss Mrs when reporting the
about activities among Negro When any thought
whatever given to what appears edoray the Pine Bluff
Commercial the unCan and uncvzed treatment of
about Negro Immediately my mind though
the leading Negro of this city quite satisfied with
their pubczed status would that the of the word
Negroes might not be offensive them But when knows
that their chief is club work wherein they shy off to
themselves world of make believe playing bridge poker and
gossppng with refreshments and food to complete the
feast might be place discuss the momentous question
which the editorial why Tinker With Progress" poses
The Pine Bluff Commercial says:
"Do you think that the education Of Pine Bluff and Jecr
Cotys Negro children being neglected for of enough
good schools?
do you think should be filed in federal court to
compel rectificaton of this neglect"
the editorial continues under the subhead Excel
Negro Schools In The City and summarizes the progress
being made certain schools which only Negroes Else
where this newspaper this week the next will some
of progress which has been made Negro education We
carrying the picture of the toilet facilities in Negro schools in
the Pine Bluff community within its corporate limits Out
18th street. Negro children have high school called Jef
High School and commonly known the color
people Professor Coemans school, where its campus
buildings which make congomeraton of school facli
which indicate that there plan whatever for
logical Improvement of the school for purpose it's
like the ole camp ground where slaves congregated On the
campus least brick buildings Progress has
made under the administrative pressing of Professor Cole
nothing like what has been done for the white children
OF the Pine Bluff Commercial is opposed to all Ameri
don't know Of frame building for white children in Pine
Bluff educational facility. While at Packngtown SCHOOL,
Ohio street school, school, Sprng school, Green
willie school, and school, the only brick about the place
used for foundation material The cats and dogs IT
this community in white homes fare much better in their
specve kennels than the Negro school children these schools
The toilets jefferson county high school West 18th
disgrace to the community and constitute such health
that all of the funds for tuberculosis Polio and Cancer
ought Immediately be converted for local to rid the
nuny of the unsighty and sinking toilets The photographer
the taking of the pictures appearing elsewhere in this news
paper.
The which the Pine Bluff Commercial attempts to
raise constitute noteworthy contribution to the changing minds
Negro white citizens Continuing the editorial points OUT
Talking here and there with leading educators of both
have this unacceptable concuson At the pres
rate of progress will be but VERY short time before
this city and county has Identical educational advantages for ALL
regardless of race.
And might add that and when identical advantages are
offered all citizens the taxpayers both white and black will
have arrived at their and longer will we have separate
schools for white and Negroes
The Pine Bluff civic association will 90 into immediate
executive session for the purpose of mpementng the drive
which has been promised improve educational facilities and
opportunities Arkansas Negro school children On the local