Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-08-08
RoWun'S Book Is
Living Experience
For The Reader
SOUTH or FREEDOM
BY caFl 7. Rowan
Alfred knoPf. 1851
by shelton B. Granger

taking place south Of the free
dom border" II is a rrport, a bio
graphical sketch and "A taste of a
living experience for the reader.
Carl Rowan took this piece out Of
the ordinary class by an accom-
plishment that is possible only be-
cause OF the personal projection
of himself in relation to the con-
dltions reported.
The simplicity OF style and the
emotional directnesS -- portrayed
through the choice of events re-
ported and the Interpretive COM
ments attached are the pro-
ducts Of a unified personal and
professional life,
This, in a large part. is the core
of the importance of this writing
during these times OF racial
chauvinism and chicanery in the
midst OF southern white prroc-
Cupation with the suicidal caste
system that once served as the
South's main prop.
AS a report. there Is at present
not other writing as filled with
current information on the status
Of the tottering white suprcmists
Rowan, as a skilled newspaper
reporter, was able to offer. in con
densed form. a picture of the so
Geological impact and psychology
cal force or recent legislative pre-
cedents such as those affecting
the Negro in higher education In
the South.
The United States Supreme
Court decisions involving Mrs.
Ada Sipuel Fisher and Mr.. G. w,
McLaurin, for example. were dts
Cussed by clearly citing the legal
questions and relating the decis-
ions skillfuIly to the mildly rev.
dictionary social changes they
made possible. Such items are
given the reader sucCinctly,
automatically and with a verbal
symmetry designed to capture
and maintain full reader interest.
Also as a report. there Is at
present no other up-to-date Rc-
count OF events and trends on the
southern scene that establishes
beyond doubt the schizoid charac-
ter Of American attitudes toward
race.
The inner contradictions OF
white society's attitudes toward
Negroes and the ambivalent re-
actions Of Negroes to the confused
southern white are made clear ID
the reader as Mr.. Rowan relates
experiences in various localities.
Many of us working daily in
the field of race relations have
heard southern Negroes exclaim.
upon being confronted with the
more subtle forms Of northern
race discrimination. Back home.
we at least know what we cannot
do"
II Rowan's story OF the differ.
ent standards for the Negroes
place" in neighboring localities Of
the South doesn't spell finis for
such black arguments for white
supremacy. many Of US are en-
gagged in a hopeless cause for q
hopeless peolpe.
The same bleak outlook viii
hold H. after reading the authors
Interpretation Of some southern
Negro blood suckers living on de-
cayed black ghettoes, some sci
cct" Negroes still insist that =
system II good II II produces an
occasional black millionaire.
As a biographical sketch, a.
well ~ in other ways. SOUTH OF
FREEDOM shows the folly Of the
argument that local solutions ex-
cluEtVely should be applied 10
racial problems. Rowan was born
in McMinnvflle, Tenn. and his
value 10 society might have been
lost In that small southern town.
Undoubtedly. many more such
persons have lived and died in the
dust Of the McMinnvilIes. Rowan
may have too had Il not been for
IN sake Of the prcssures Of nor
thenr attitudes on the United
States Navy. This was an import
ant key 10 freedom. II was
moulded north Of freedom. People
North and South are compelled
to regard this implied message.
II will serve as a reminder 90
the northern Negro that O little
piece Of him Is along the trailways
Of ROwan's journey. II win awaJs.
en- the northern white man 20 the
fact that racial prejudice may
kill others who seek 10 add 20 the
strength Of American democracy.
What u done In Missiasippi may
happen In MinnesOta-
The reader cannot avoid being
taken through an experience In
hving: an experience Of confusion
hatred. hope and ultimately faith.
The absence Of an answer" ehlls
the reader in the latter portions
% the book.
In this regard. Rowan shows
confusion, refI@cting the oonfu-