Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1954-12-10
Never Old Enough for
Dignifying Treatment
BY S. S..Taylor

prohablv the most talked about person on program
of Lve-aHome ForumBanquet at Shorter college tues
dav was Tom" Reed Mr. Reed and his Wife Mrs Emma
Reed were first place winners in the Owner Lve-at-iome
contest Mr. years old $50 acres OF land am
is repued to of the best farmers in the area lie
has been married just once and for go years In addition TO
operating class farm he lives in modern nome ana
runs modern grocery in his home town. He is keen and Wit
ty in public appearance Ills remarks on the program "st
punctuated with frequent applause
Now Mr. Reed may be just tom" and his wife just En-
ma" to his friends and companions but ne Is the
TYNE of man whom writer's would nsnctively address as
Mr. Reed achievements in farming, in marriage IN OPP
Grating business and in talking living in general set
him apart a high plane Even when such a man is SUI
fcently welknown to be addressed by his ifSt name
private respect to his character would seem TO ehe
him to respectful and consderae address in public would
not seem appropriate ESQ writer is concerne for
anyone to him in public Familiarity without at the
same making type of apology Tor taxing the priv
nege. , 49,
When member of another addressing such man
in public speaking about his attainments, presenting
consideration prize winner refers TO MN Simply
as TOM members of the group to which he belongs feel
a distinct etdown such of the first name there
seems to be the thought you've done pretty WELL but
nothing you make accord the respect and cou
tesy which would be accorded white man In the same SIT
uation." r.,
Out of such mode address Immediately comes feel
inc of uneasiness Illustration of certain amount
of hostility The because the victim is pac-
cd such position either directly indirectly
by word look convey to the audience any mixing
of reaction dispeasue He is for the award OF prize
If he shows any any thing he is apt to nfc
an rreparable injury his reputation and his future
Even his friends say little help him. The reaction
on that score would be for the person offering the ndgnty
70 defend himself BY saving tom feel offended by
W., ronarxs Did Won Tom" And what Tom say?
man of his comprehension attachments, and natural asty
and courtesy feel free to embafasS anyone even
though embarrassment might be justified This writer oouos
If Ton1p would express any resentment at the situation
But failure express resentment should not De con
strued enjoyment Of the situation lie knows ua @S
ORC audience resents it knows that 1t tends 10 lessen
him in the esteem audience Every Negro KNOWS s
that such practice tends build certain amount Oh
senness and among Negroes The company or
ganzation builds its public relations by sue type
of public contact treatment is not building up as lleaa
" an attitude it thinks
Nothing can compensate man or a group for intentional
and public sights beitement Organizations seeking TO
help the Negro prizes and emouments for progress ana
excellence should all have their representatives con
duct themselves public such as to impress Ne
proes with dignity and worth of being Negro In He
lone run any system public relations which tends to be-
little the Negro will build up antagonsm to the sponsor OF
the system so far as the Negro is concerned