Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1961-04-29
The National Baptist Convention
Freedom Farm
From: The Times Herald

1t is only short distance of miles from 'Tent
City near Somervile, to the National Baptist Con-
vention Freedom Farm the outskirts of Mason but
when these two points viewed in terms of their
pecve meaning to the Negro they are as far apart as
the proverba poles For Tent City symbozes the shame
and ugly spectacle of secondclass citizenship The
growth OF economic reprisals physical violence and
poitaton of hapess people by those who would deny
them even the rudments of democracy.
The other point, however is 4O4acre tract of rich
farmland where the tent jewellers may go and take
new lease on life in atmosphere conducive to their
a-round development and generally to their best in
terest as we'll as that of the nation at large
One family of six, Earl Anderson, his wife, and
four children had already signed the first tenant
on the farm by the time the Baptsts gathered there
last Wednesday for dedcatory ceremonies Two other
families from Tent City being considered as occu
pants portion of the land and it is generally as
sumed that the depressed Somerve will soon
yield all the evctees to of the farm projects the Bap
lists are providing for them at great expense.
This of course is all for the better 'Tent City" did
it's purpose pointing up this nation the urg
ency for immediate removal of all racial barriers For
how can country purportng to assume world leader
snip OF great proportions be unmnful of fragrant viola
ton OF basic rights of its citizens such has been
perpetrated in Haywood and Fayette Counties against
the Negro over period of years?
1t was encouraging to note that the Civil Rights
Commission undertook steps to guarantee the right of
Fayette and Haywood County Negroes to register and
vote They had not exercised this constitutional priv
ilege in almost hundred years. not since the days of
reconstruction But of greater significance has
been the action by the National Baptist Convention to
initiate farm-aid program whereby the Negro can
also help raise his economic levels. Therefore, Ten
City residents, understand democracy is two-way
street 1t will provide for them the benefit of full life
in return for their honest labor and the exercise of re-
sponslbity in keeping with good citizenship Those
who insist upon remaining in the tents with no future
outlook ad satisfied to remain wards of charity as
now being dispensed by persons who profess to have
their interest at heart may find themselves with
out any measure of help.
There is certainly further need for anyone con-
nectd with the Tent City Project to make trips over the
country for purpose of soliciting funds behalf of the
evctees. Freedom Farm, just seven miles away from
these people, beckons them to and partake of the
new life They have choice between these two areas
One represents the point of diminishing return The
other symbozes overwhelming scope of help and
economic freedom.
DR.. Joseph H. Jackson, president of the National
Baptist Convention is to be commended for taking this
farreaching STEP study of his pan coupled with his
dedcatory last week. would bear testimony to
the fact that the Baptist have come to Tennessee with
program that calls for nter-racial good will rather
than vndicveness and bitter rebuttas For those of
us who live in this state special pride be taken in
the fact that the development of the faaid program
includes the active participation of such local and sec
t1ona leaders Dr. A. E. Campbell, vice-presdent of
the convention who also serves as chairman of the
farm commission; c. A. Rawls, of Brownsville success
full business man, who is coordnator for Freedom Farm
Rev Jasper w. Williams pastor of Lane Avenue Baptist
Church. and trustee of the farm, and Rev. W. Her
bert Brewster, pastor of East Trigg Avenue Baptist
Church.
God does work in mysterious ways, his wonders to
perform For the problems which created Tent City
in West Tennessee, Providence provided the solution in
the National Baptist Freedom Farm.