The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1951-10-05
Civil Rights a Need

way political parties throw them
around means anything. In addition
to Dixiecrats and their kind who
are against any measure. any de-
cent action which puts Negroes
and other dark people on citizen
ship rating there are a few Ne
groes themselves who need some
proper indoctrination about civil
rights and why an increasing num-
Der of people. white and Negro, are
going to bat for such legislation or
any other legitimate efforts to gain
the same end.
Too often we hear one of us
remark, Negroes are silly to try
and get into white shows, swim
ming pools, parks. when the most
important thing we need is jobs.
The latter part of the statement
is definitely true and will be UP.
held vigorously by any of those
who truly believe In civil rights.
IN RACIAL NET
Why is job getting so hard for
Negroes and other dark-skinned
people? Why do some Americans
work without argument with all
others of foreign extraction, yet
threaten a sit-down strike when
native born American citizens of
color are brought to the assembly
line. in the office. behind the coun-
ter. in the shop?
Frankly the American Negro has
never been accepted as one of the
American family in the middle
west, South and border territories.
Because he is ringed with jim-crow
he is supposed to be the man to
shine the shoes, dust off garments
of customers in barber shops. per-
form most Of the mental work no
one else wants to do
Because he is a Negro of the
so-called despised group it is pre-
sumed he will do all of the dirty
work. dig the bitches, carry the
coal and "be a newer of wood and
drawer of water for his fairer
brothers."
KEPT OUT OF THINGS
In some sections of the country
the Negro is absent in the cheapest
of movies. restaurants. pool halls
and other places of amusements.
When he does come into public
places of the better sort one may
be sure he is segregated either by
section, row or relegated to the
gallery or balcony.
In extreme cases he is marked
undesirable" even on street cars,
buses, and in public buildings,
railroad stations, bus stations and
all other public places.
He, then. is considered only y
when seen in certain capacities.
certain places always with the tag
of inferiority placed upon him be-
cause of color.
If these true Americans" are
freed of any contact with Negroes
in public places (even for a few
hours) and get away with it, why,
then. should these same people have
to work alongside some one of
the same group for eight hours a
day or more, use the same public
facilities, draw the same pay for
the same work, become a part of
the union and get all those things
which are supposed to be the heri-
tage of all Americans Ga true state
ment from book fiction, Fourth OF
July speeches), but not in reality?
WE CAN COMPARE
II any Negro wants to argue that
jobs are paramount and we should
work for them exclusive to any
other attainment of citizenship why
is it that Negroes are getting bet
ter breaks in states where civil
rights laws are in order?
Where do we have street car
operators. telephone girls, sales
people in department stores, Ne
groes in capacities where their
work depends upon merit rather
than color? Certainly not in Mis-