Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1951-11-02
PINE BLUFF
DOWN OUR WAY
BY frances sampson

CITY officials including Mayor George Seed Joined group
~ white residents in program of dedication for the recently
developed CENTRAL PARK, facility whoh lhee .,h,
resdens of the Southwestern part of this city maoe eo
tr. and sacrifices for the future their children Newspaper
reports indicated that almost 100000 was raised or m
ground facilities by the of the Some eontrou
lions been made also by the white park cohhmss
a city park for white people only!
FOR moro than decade to my own KNOWLEDGE the ma.e
Of the development of the Townsend park negro iaoy
fas not evidenced any such interest on the part Oh e
faYhers and mothers this city Through some Oh .he ne"
Aai Vaccinations the distribution OF the taxpayers oy'
a log cabin erected on the Townsend pa'h sue t tho
ssed however for many years as private cohcessoh % m
contamination of the young people OF this community ii
re DESTROYED but to this date nothing mas p
Aoue toward providing kind of shelter Tor eefeauh %
Supervision for the people of this community line c ae
soset of the park grounds for Negroes is swimming pool
Nhich the falling of frost will close
No news from the Negro park commission and some
tno is wrong somewhere The chairman, Malvin T. Moore
ar and the members of the group owe bit more 10 Ne co
rn,inity to either something resign II would ahe very
little difference if oense were taken at the critic or cr
A n IL very likely that another winter finds negro eoien
of this community without indoor recreation faces save
the Negro Boys Club which the white folks challenged ne We
~oes into some and least provided some FACILITY UNI
IN so time as white money the success OF the
venture The whole commission ought resign or do something
either would be timely at this time and desirable II the per-
sonal interest of officers and members of the commission
are too pressing the Mayor ought ask for the designations
and accept some volunteers for 1t my prediction that the
avor would appoint Negro to the group they
.Ad get the lob done Negro of this community
are not proving themselves worthy OF the paternity OF the
children which they eeby accept Fathers and mothers ought
be concerned about their children and certainly this includes
soe sacrifices in providing for them decent place to live
and develop themselves The parents ignoring the mpor
fan things life when they be successfully charged with
negligence providing for the security of their children Clos
ing their eyes fownng the known evils
IN community and doing nothing about them brings forth
1sabe criticism Especially So when on the other hand any
project venture which bids give prestige or honor and lime
aist all ready willing participate Any kind of So
ca function home party to chterng supper
can bring upon the first invite the cream Of the crop in this
project NAACP program some worthwhile civic movement
which will make this healthy community in which to live
Everybody is too busy The same folks burened with the
responsibility of bringing about civic In the conmun-
y Always good for not doing ones duty to HIM
SELF and eowman Preachers busy raising money
for and claims doctors too busy with their
ttce lawyers unconcened in the absence of fee club
busy playing bridge and conducting the grinding
gossip MILL people in general too satisfied with conditions as
they This compaeency the part of Negroes peri
ious condition which cannot long obtain
Any poker session Saturday night among the Pine
Bluff big wigs would net substantial contribution to the
muny chest Negro Boys club Townsend park The leaders
who sit around poker tables and gamble civic tax for
such personal privilege and until they b'gn pay the
rading party ought be conducted every Saturday night
obsessed with the love of the poker
the partc wouldn't pool funds for the providing of
club where they might have privacy but instead
the parties from house to house in the of all
eyes In this community the eyes Of little children who
have place play Yet heavy losses reported when
worthy project attempted the solicitor of funds
with any type Of excuse and Is given the civic mite. just
enough TO get by not concerned whatever what
needed and what sacrifice be made Such condition
healthy for the children Of the poker players and their play
mates Somebody is laying down the job and II only the
Pine Bluff Commercial would heap Its powerful upon
the movement I'm that something would happen in this
community So through white newspaper Negroes come
through with tangible aid for the establishment of Ne
gro Boys club. At the time nothing happens the
Townsend park building campaign Nobody has any statement
for the people, The people because there are
leaders the who ready to do their bit Most
OF the leaders engaged in fighting among themselves They
DESTROYS of prestige and honor Just let white opanza
ton suggest project Immediately receives the I'm.
sn,ed support of the Negro leaders who are asked to help
and again we pose the eternal question God of Mercy
when Wilt Thou SAVE THE PEOPLE o. GOD OF Mercy
WIIEN??? >''