The Detroit tribune., 1963-04-27
EDITORIAL

Self-help of advancement for the Negro
Community is not practiced much it should be A
great deal Of Improvement in the fields of housing
p.oyment education and economics could be readily at
tanned Negro citizens recognized true situa-
state and nation and guided actions ard
improvement OF orr own condition
Recently Louis Martin former Detroiter said Mon
e and votes tools of power and they demand respect
everywhere Without UNITY this power win remain pri-
mariy wasted insofar advancing the of justice
on behalf Of the Negro community
Too much Of the leadership in our community falls
into the category described in the 1861 Us Commission
on Civil Rights Report: 4 Negroes selected do not
represent the so-caed Negro Community and too often
have vested interest protect in the community This
situation only because do think clearly Of
actions and do not abide BY determinations that
meanngful
Consider as an example the tempest in tea cup
regarding open occupancy housing In November 1862
Robert D Knox drector-secretary Of the Detroit Housing
Commission said What is really needed an individual
attitude change is unlikely that anyone will argue
against the truth Of this statement
Even earlier in June 1861 Alvin VI Bentley had call
ed attention the mprobabiy Of such attitude change
taking place the result Of aw when in the opening
statement Of article he wrote There many
poets Of nteracia relationships in this country that
not and should not be dealt with BY the law: they
questions for better education greater tolerance and
derstandng nobler faith in the brotherhood of man.
solve in the firm conviction and belief that all
equal in the sight of God"
The closing paragraph of the same article stated Ra
cial problems in this country will mot be finally and
permanently solved until to discriminate and
treat all men, black and white alike with equal fairness
not because the law requires do So but because
know and understand that it is the right the moral the
ethical thing to do
This is the circumstance in which We Negroes live
This is the atmosphere which must develop pro-
grams for the good Of postery Therefore, the wildly
artificial dreams Of assimilation into the white community
that apparently entertained BY of those assuming
roles leadership the Negro community must not be
allowed TO stand as the real aspirations Of Negroes
recent housing survey of the Negro community in
dicaed that chief interest adequate housing not
white neghbors among working people and operators of
small businesses Concern expressed however. about
the standards and conditions schools occupied
by Negroes Here again the principle of mutual efforts
can overcome
The idea of UNITY was clearly spelled out for De-
troiters by national Negro leader in February 1862
Work together Fight together BUY together. Boycott
together. VOTE together Stick together Thus far it
seems his words unheard
Until the Negro community does what it to help
itself little help should be expected from elsewhere.
The S Commission on Civil Rights made strong
mendaton to the President concerning Federal aid funds
going to Mississippi after Negroes Of that state made it
unmistskaby clear that they unsashed with prevail
ing conditions
We should consider duty 10 ourselves to make
cur money and votes demand respect for in Fight
For Freedom"