Arkansas State press., 1951-01-05
this
day and age
Ode To An Uncle Tom
BY Clyde o. Jackson, City Editor

few seasons ago, asked make an address for
school commencement remember was rather perpexed as to
what could say to the students The school was grammar
sehoo ana since had made address such
youthful audience wondered just what could say to them
at would be beneficial and easy to understand frankly told the
principal that did not think there was anything could saw
10 the students and that she should try another speaker
But she wrongly attributed my modesty and told me
what ue would be expected and how much time would be
expected TO uze on the program can't remember all of the
address, but part of went something like this There were
never more truthful words than Solomon which state
AS man bnketh IN his heart so also is he We live in
nation where teachers and alike are taught that
man IS judged on the basis of the color and the Way
he worshps God White people attempt make white students
believe that God favored white that he made them better
than the other people of the earth They have also attempted
to symie the minds of Negro children teaching them when
ever they get the chance that they the people of the
EARTH that they are merely put here be the of the
White people But never forget where you CO. ever
you may become what think are-nothng more
nothing less People may tell you that you are inferior or
less than other people but you only if YOU believe
IN your heart that inferior If you think you are as
good as any man. regardless of the color your skim you are
as good for you just you think YOU are
nothing more, nothing less. :"
thought about this address when received letter from
Negro mother who resides in Ell Dorado and who wrote 81
teach children the things you write in your column teach
them they are as good 1T matter what color
their skin is ~ believe that if mothers had taught
their children these PHILOSOPHERS days gone by we would not
have so many Uncle Toms raffckng the south Negroes
who teach their children fear white people and those who re-
fuse to explain to them that ignorance that makes the white
man keep up segregation do harm to our society as
those whites who nuure discrimination segregation Chill
den nave to be taught these things in life lest they grow
neuroc baffled snted The adage which states As
the wing bent grows the tree could we'll read GAS tho
child is trained makes the man. The child should be taught
TO hold his own to hold his head high respect demand
respect-from everyone
Sometimes think not blame the verv old "lnce
Toms much who after ALL did the chance we have
and who were taught daily from birth death that the white
man was the law and the while the Negro was the slave
but thee Is no excuse whatever for Negro nce tom" in
have 1ttIo
grnning shftess, buckeyed head scratching Negro And
don't mean just the old ignorant either for some of
our socaed leaders are the biggest Uncle Toms them ALL
Uncle Tom, Uncle Tom, be on your shftless way;
Bow your head and buck your eyes and grin with all
you say
But make way for an enlightened youth who'd never
take your stand,
Who'd stand and fight and fight and fall only to
rise and fight again.