Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1955-02-19
A Contribution To Americas
Intercultural Life
February 1920


Americas intercultural life in 1866 represents an
accumulation of contributions from the various peoples
that have been fused in the national population Negroes
and their history unique in this development because
of peculiar circumstances Until the rise of the Negro
History Movement 40 years ago, this largest minority
element in the United States generally overlooked
having history worthy of consideration In spite
of this mistaken opinion, generation of investigation
has revealed not only contributions by Negroes in the
making of America but accomplishments which extend
into the Ancient Near-East and Africa. Moreover
search has shown participation by Negroes throughout
all periods of American and expansion to pre-
sent leadership of the Free World Negro History brings
together the records of achievement through hard labor
and great suffering which related to accumulation
of property gifts to the arts and sciences participation
IN government and politics, religious and spiritual tai
ents deep loyalty to American ideals and credtable per-
torrance on battlefields of every
Negro History Week since 1926 has Systematically
endeavored modesty to emphasize of the specific
and too long neglected aspects of Negro performance in
America and the modern world. The celebration in 1866
Will again concentrate upon this general theme with
particular emphasis on contributions of ntercultural
nature wit ha view to improving interracial relations
and human understanding The Negro Spirituals
should again be prominent in their pungent appeals to
the hearts and souls of people The Association for the
Study of Negro Life and History has taught and still
insists that the codbooded facts of history speak for
themselves to and of illwill and goodwill
Inc stream OF American cultural life has myriad tr-
buteS and the objective of the celebration of Negro
History Week in 1855 is to select specific tribu
tarles like music, religious spirituality beginning in
business, education in spite of handcaps building of in
situations like churches and fraterna organizations
and community enterprises These clearly lend them
selves to scientific historical illustrations of contribu
tons to building Americas ntercutura fe appeals for
mutual respect and understanding, and recognition
Protest and propaganda worthy in other bounds but
the aims of the celebration show actual contr
buttons according to accepted historical Standards
In 1855 the Association for the Study of Negro Life
and History faces a gigantic task: To promote True
Racial Intergraon by helping to provide the nforma
ton upon which the genuine understanding appreciation
and acceptance of the Negro will be based The task is
gigantic since bias will continue within forms of in
tegratlon, until thousands of individuals change att
tudes of prejudice against the Negro When realized
that prejudice against the Negro based upon myriad
OF complex misconceptions and false stereotypes reach
ing into the very fabric of the materials of education
and communication, the enorty of the task becomes
apparent To this task the Association dedcates it's
program for 1855 If this work is to be effective the
supporters OF the Association must be counted in tens
of thousands. Tell Ten! Become disciple and convert
ten other disciples to the cause
What You May Do To Make This Celebration Count
l. Organize your community through committees
for the celebration
T. Appeal to your board of education for the adop-
ton of textbooks of Negro history and literature, and
seek revision of general textbooks that portray the
Negro in an unfavorable light.
g. Interest your library and school in securing
shelf of scientific works the Negro and pictures of
distinguished men of the race
a. Set aside day of the week as Book and
Picture Fund Day when all will be called upon to assist
in raising funds to buy book and pictures of Negroes for
your schools and libraries.
s. Encourage your church, school or other organiza-
ton to raise units of so hundred dollars to con-
tribute to the Association. Twenty thousand dollars
must be raised If the work is to prosper
Urge everyone to write the Association all he
knows about Negro Family history and send in any
important documents bearing the record of the Ne
gro; organize branch of the Association in your state
1t requires at least ten members paying annually the
active membership fee of EACH which entities each
member to THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY AS
sociate members pay $500 year and receive THE
NEGRO HISTORY BULLETIN. Other members pay
one dollar each to help support the Association
1888 Ninth Street, N W., Washington D. c.
Goal: "A contribution of one dollar or more from
each of Twenty Thousand persons in 1855 Send yours
today.