Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1963-05-02
BY Charles ]. Livingston

you" was a phrase often heard at
high school proms and regular
dances in the past.
1t was an admonition to the girl
who, once at a dance or q party
would desert her escort and spend
the evening dancing with another
young man who was more grace
full on the floor with a doll" in
his arms.
The deserted escort of course
felt that he was used" exploited
He had served only as a device by
the girl to maneuver herself into a
desired position, then dropped like
hot potato.
I think this is similar to the
feeling Of many fans and admirers
of our athletic and entertainment
personalities, who find some rea-
son for not directly supporting the
battles for civil rights being waged
throughout the nation - particul-
arly in the South where conditions
are worse. Negro citizens in gen.
eral and tan sports fans, in par
ticular have just reasons to feel,
believe, that they were exploited
then forgotten by these now sue
cessful personalities. For all these
personalities have benefited in
some way - most of them In
many ways - from the fight
others Of their race have personal
ly waged against racial bigotry in
America before and since Eman,
cipation. Have these athletes and
entertainers forgotten the guy
who brung'' them.
I don't know Of any athletes
baseball or basketball players,
boxers, or football players -
who can be clasSed along with
Dick Gregory, Harry BelafOnte,
Al Hibbler and a few others for
participating In direct-actiOn
campaigns to wipe out segrega-
ton and racial discrimination.
Yet, all these athletes have en-
jOyed the solid support Of their
Negro brothers" Negro fans
support tan athletes not only
through pride in their athletic
accomplishments, but also be-
cause they feel such athletes
have the right to compete freely
in any sport with athletes Of
other races. Remember the guy
that brung you"
The first known Negro player
Jackie Robinson - to crash the
race barrier in organized baseball
had the support of the NAACP,
which in turn represents all Ne
gro citizens. The first Negro to
crash the lineup of the hitherto Ill
lywhite New York Yankees - FL
ston Howard - had the support
of Negro sports fans and the
Pumpsie Green, the first
race player to wear the jersey of
the Boston Red Sox, was aided by
direct action by the NAACP.
The Jim crow policy Of the
Washington Redskins football
team was shattered by irate Ne
gro citizens-nOt just tan sports
fans - who continuously pick
eted the skins games, and by
the concerted efforts Of the
NAACP, CORE and other civil
rights organizations.
There once were rigid legal and
other bans on interracial bouts,
which shut the Negro pugilist out
of lucrative money bouts. Negro
citizens joined forces with other
well-meaning Americans to fight
those bans as well. AS a result,
Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson,
Beau Jack, Floyd Patterson and
many other tan boxers made huge
fortunes in the ring.
Why then shouldn't Negro
athletes show their gratitude by
leading picket lines and other
campaigns against racial bigotry
on behalf of their less fortunate
"brothers." Remember the guy
who brung you"
Fighting racial discrimination is
everybody's business. But the per-
son best suited and most obligated
to directly lead the civil rights
fight are Negroes who have made
it big" Much more than their
struggling brothers." they're, by
personal prestige and financial
status better able to make the sac
rifices involved. Remember the
p1Iy who brlIng YOU"
Just think of the tremendous i'm.
pact that would result from fam
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