St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-02-24
Minnesota Negroes
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ed for both male and female Ne
groes, the opportunity for up
grading and promotions has
moved along with gratifying
speed In all parts Of the state.
Twin City firms that ten years
ago had a closed door policy on
Negro labor have discovered that
such a policy was blind and detn-
mental 10 the entire community.
Some have reached such conclu-
sions By prOdding, others by ex-
amples set by the more forward
firms.
Today a number Of the largest
FIRMS in this area are very proud
Of their interracial personnel and
are anxious 10 talk about the sue
cess Of developing a truly inte-
grated employment policy. Fair
employment practices are now
something which many Of such
firms apparently are pardonably
proud.
The favorable employment pic
ture has increased the per capita
income Of Negro families and i'm
proved every other facet Of COM
munity life within the confines of
the so-called Negro community
and the cities at large.
Results have been such things
as the increased number Of home
buyers. increased interest in
higher education for the children
Of the families, increased pur-
chasing power, increased support
Of churches; increased support Of
civic and improvement groups like
the Urban League and the Nation
al Association for the Advance
ment of Colored People and the
wider social activity and mem
bership in organized social units
or clubs.
Various human relations organi-
cations like the National Con-
ference Of Christians and Jews;
the Minneapolis Committee on
Equal Opportunity the Minneapo-
lis Mayors Council on Human Re
lations and the energetic Mime
sofa Jewish Council have all
played a part in improvements in
the position Of the Negro commun-
ity as well as all racial and relig-
ious minorities.
Press, radio and TV have an
important part in creating the
favorable climate which has aided
in Negro progress in Minnesota.
The daily press of all three big
cities in Minnesota, notably the
Minneapolis Morning TRIBUNE
has made news coverage, editorial
discussion, and feature treatment
of the American race problem, To-
cal or national, a part Of its daily
presentation. This coverage bene-
fits the vast majority of citizens
who are otherwise not exposed to
the situation Of white and Negro
relations. which in other areas
has caused tensions.
The fact that the dominant
mediums of communication in this
area are internationalist in their
sympathies have kept Upper Mid
west people we'll informed on what
is happening in the so-called
darker nations. This has caused
many citizens to have a greater
interest IN their American Ne
gro neighbors, who symbolic
more than most others the pro
gress OF non-whita people when
given opportunity commensurate
with their abilities and skills.
In practically every area Of
Minnesota community life the Ne
gro is making excellent advances.
Last year saw a few persons buy
ing small farms. Minnesota Ne
groes have generally not been
farmers although Several early
families settled on farms in diff
ferent parts Of the state.
Space does not permit fun and
specific coverage Of progress made
BY individuals during the period
under consideration. Suffice II to
saw that the Minnesota Negro
Americans are moving ahead
rapidly individually and collec-
lively through their own industry
and with the cooperation and
goodwill OF a substantial part OF
the other groups which make up
the common population Of the