Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1963-07-27
Negroes And Freedom OF Speech

Somewhere along the way in the search for
self-education, knowledge, and understandings and
the added experience that lead to our requirement
of our PhD. from the University of the World, in
wide ranging reading and study we came across
the great statement by Aristotle, Plato Or Soc
rates, it Voltare the great French philosoph-
er who made the statement, further immortalzed
by Benjamin DSrael the British statesman
Jew, who became Prime Minister of the British
Empire, and who while presiding over a session of
the British Parliament, opposition member
arose and began bitter attack his policies and
his race. When the cries went up, stop him. silence
him, kill him. he stood up and answering the
cries said, No. No. Let him Speak. disagree with
everything he says but | will defend with my life
to the death his right to say it.
However vague might be at the moment as
regards its origin, we are nOnetheeSs certain that
that statement forms the very foundation for
western civilization and the American idea and
ideal of freedom of speech
In the struggle and confusion civil rights
there appears to increasing evidence that a.
mong certain Negro leaders and group, there is
growing lack of respect, understanding of, the
American idea and ideal of Freedom of speech
With the apparent opinion among these individuals
and groups that they, and they alone, have found
all of the methods, approaches and answers to the
solution of the civil rights and problem any
persons, particularly if that person is another Ne
gro, who raises any question, or suggests other
methods approaches or answers, is Immediately
subjected to villfication, ridicule and name-cal-
ing, in total disregard of the American idea and
ideal of Freedom of Speech
No Negro, matter how highly placed, is
immune from this abuse Of villificaton, ridicule,
name-calling, and even threats as witness the case
Of DR.. Joseph II. Jackson President of the Nation
al Baptist Convention, USA, Inc, which repre-
sents 5-million Negro Baptist throughout the
United States; the Executive Committee of which
has called for three-months coong-off period in
Mass Demonstrations, who was booed from the
stage, amid cries of kill him. as he attempted to
address, at it's invitation, the recent NAACP Con-
vention in Chicago; with every boo and cry total
disregard for the right of freedom of speech.
We insist that all the best ways for the sou-
ton of the civil rights and race problem in this
country have not been used even discovered; and
further insist that the current apparent disre-
gard for the right of freedom of speech among those
groups and individuals identified as leaders of
Negroes, is causing many of the more able and
responsible Negroes, at the local levels to remain
silent in the face of increasing hatred frusration
and bewilderment in the ranks of the less informed
Negro masses.
Here again say our primary concern is the
future of the Mississippi Negro and his relation with
the white people of the State, long after civil
rights crusadng has ceased to be financial profit
able venture; and with this in mind we say to the
more able and responsible Negro citizens of the
state, don't allow any group Individual to so
intimidate you, that you will to use, and de-
fend your right of freedom of speech.