Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1951-03-24
The 1851 Convention Theme And The
Mississippi Negro School Teacher

For its Annual Convention which is in session here
this week the Mississippi Association of Teachers in
Coored Schools have adopted the theme: Irresponsible
Citizenship Challenge; in accordance with which
in series of panel discussions the organization will seek
the to very important and pertinent ques-
lions.
AS noted the agenda of the Convention the cues
lions flowing out of its theme, Irresponsible Citizenship
Challenge" to which the proper answers will be
sought during series of panel discussions l. To
what extent the Secondary schools contribute re-
sponsble citizenship; 2 What physical, economic and
social conditions necessary in the development of
responsible citizenship; g. What experiences are basic
in the development of responsible citizenship; What
conditions and practices tend to hinder responsible ct
zenshp 5. What program of action is possible in your
situation.
In the very outset the organization is to be COM
plmented for the adoption of theme which brings
the organization itself and each of its members in their
individual and personal capacity face to face with the
most important and the greatest question regarding the
future progress of the Mississippi Negro that of Re-
sponslble citizenship. The realization being and from
which the great Importance of the question arises that
in democracy, and in the exercise of the democratic
process responsible citizenship is totally and absolutely
impossible without the right to vote and the right of
political participation.
Indeed the whole series of questions arising out of
the convention theme may be Jumped together as one
to which the right to vote and the right of political par
hcpatlon is the only honest and intelligent
Since it is everywhere recognized and admitted that
the right to vote and the right of political participation
is the only by which citizenship Responsibility
Can NC asSulleu anu exercised; IN working tor the
preservation OF Democracy and in combating the spread
of communism, the first duty of the school teacher in
the development of the future citizens that of teach
ing them the value of the ballot the right to vote and
the need for intelligent political participation.
1t is therefore impossible for school teacher to
teach anything anybody about the responsibility of
citizenship without the teacher having first learned to
exercise that responsibility.
According to the very best information only the
very smallest percentage of the Negro school teachers
pay their poll tax, register, and thus qualified to
exercise and teach Responsible citizenship
Seeing the existing conditions in certain areas of
the state as regards the right of Negro Citizens VOTE
whether teachers baker, candestick maker, the
greatest challenge, nevertheless in the 1851 theme of
the mississippi Association of Teachers in Colored
Schools is to each Negro teacher in his Individual
personal capacity and dependent upon the acceptance
OF that responsibility is his ability to interpret the ere
sponslbly OF citizenship to his Students the future
Mississippi and American citizens and thus make real
contribution towards the preservation of American
mocracy.