Jackson advocate., 1963-01-05
LET'S DO IT
OURSELVES
JOSEPH F. ALBRIGHT

If the 1862 racial relations
incidents occurring in Missis-
sippi demonstrated anything,
they proved beyond all doubt
that if interracial goodwill and
peace is to be attained it will
have to be done through the
joint efforts of all of US, race
Notwithstanding, who place the
welfare of the State above any
racial or factional differences.
But just mere recognition of
this important fact is far from
sufficient for its accomplish
ment. Possessing the ingredi-
ents for a cake mixture is one
thing; but it can net be relished
until it has been baked.
In 1868 let us make a firm
resolve to bake the cake of ra-
cial relations progress in the
oven of mutual faith and trust.
We already possess the ingredi-
ents for the mixture the
flour of our joint welfare; the
sugar of traditional friendship;
the milk of our every day re-
lationships; the eggs Of under
standing; the shortening of
unity; and the flavoring of
charitable interest.
During 1862 / talked with
hundreds of persons from all
over the State. With but few
exceptions l discovered deep
concern for our States future.
almost universally expressed in
terms of the welfare of us all.
Should we fail to crystalize this
sentiment into positive, bene-
ficient action allowing its
blessings to be lost by default
we shall have been guilty
of a tragic mistake.
In the last game of my high
school football career, our op-
ponent was a powerful, unde-
feated team serenely, al
most arrogantly confident of
its ability to defeat us. In the
dressing room, just before we
took the field, our coach made
no effort to exhort us with any
pep talk harangue. He simply
called us together and quietly
said, "You will win today if you
are determined to win. Re-
member that in your every play
out there. Give your best as
a man and as a team. 1t will
be enough" We did, and we
won.
No man or woman, no people,
no nation can be Saved" by
others. Salvation in any form
lies solely within the province
of our desire and determine
ticn to accept the responsible
ties thrust upon us by circum-
stances.
We Mississippians will not
be "saved" by adherence to, OF
the acceptance of, any other
programs" Of interracial good,
will except those of our owr
origin and development. If we
are to continue living together
in harmony we must design the
patterns for this accomplish
ment ourselves.
When Willie Richardson o1
Jackson State College turned il
his magnificent performance a.
the first Negro to ever play il
the annual North-South foot
ball game, he proved something
besides his unquestioned ability
as a gridiron genius His feat
was a shining example of what
white and Negro people of the
South can do TOGETHER wher
the chips are down.
I am an American first, 8
Mississippian second, and a Ne
gro, who is fiercely proud o1
his ages old racial heritage
third. Being fully cognizant
of the second category, l have
made this 1868 resolution:
will continue to be found il
the vanguard Of those Missis
sippians who will be working
with faith, trust and hope fol
interracial goodwill; | will con
slider no sacrifice too great IL
live by the creed, "Thouh shall
have no God before me, ane
thou shalt love their neighbol
as thysef." This / pledge Won