Newspaper Page Text
Independent lir|toni(|ojnWe trtll a'fi £. K-J£ i Punimdro fever) ntursdas Bj THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE PUBLISHING COMPANY LOUIS EMANUEI MARTIN Editor MAIN OFFICE- ttli fe Vernor Highway Detroit Mien. Ph. Cherry 823/ , terms ol SuDsrrlptior (payable in advanr#): One Veat S2OO si* mouths ft Est three months 7ft rent« THfc) MH HKiAN CHRONICLE PLATFORM L Coioreo representative* ID aU departments ot city government & Colored workers in aU organizations of labuf untena a. Colored representatives od city county and state educationai control | board* 4 More representation ot colored men in the Detroit police department 4 A colored regiment in the state militia WITHOUT DESPAIR However discouraging the studies of Negro pro gress in America may prove to be, we cannot permit ourselves any pessimism in considering either our present or our future. .We inhabit no vale of tears despite the fact that we represent the most oppressed minority in America and despite the constant growth of new technique which increase this oppression. To some extent, at least, life for us is what we make it. Most significant among the social forces at work in a given social order, the sociologists tell us, are ; attitudes. The racial attitude of the majority ofj TTmericans certainly constitutes a determining factor] in the Negro-white relationships with which we arej all familiar. It is significant, too, that an attitude is j acquired and it necessarily follows that it—is- amcn-j able to change. To put it differently, what the ma jority group thinks about us is important yet we have the opportunity to make that group regard us; in the light that we choose. With these observations well in mind we can re call the opportunity that falls to many of our artists, orators and .writers to mould white opinion in our j favor and to give the majority group a finer view j of Negro life. Last Sunday, it was interesting to j note, that' four distinguished Negroes-figured in; 'broadcasts lu a nation-wide audience-andall-of-them-j reflected credit upon the people they represent. These Negroes were shaping the attitudes in some measure j of countless millions. They were doing society a service.- Our own Rev. R. L. Bradby addressed the nation j on the program “Wings-Over Jordan” and acquitted! himself with intelligence. The works of two Negro poets we're read and dramatized on a program that reflected the truej artistry of the! try. The poems were chosen i from among the work, of the late James Weldon; JcLutatl and Sterling-Brown of Howard University. 1 'ThThe evening Ethel Waters presented a scene taken from the play “Mamba’s Daughters” in which she is now starring on Broadway. It is needless to say that she performed with distinction. To those among us who deplore the racial attitudes of the majority group which are always reflected in! actions that oppress the Negro, we must continue J vigilant in our efforts to influence these attitudes in | our best interests. We must appreciate also the few j Who are worthy and active in bringing about anew attitude which will have endless repercussions in our j bi-racial society. SOUTHERN STUDENTS A furious debate is making the rounds of Southern ■ universities now that the Supreme Court has ruled j that each state must live up to the constitution and | provide equal education for all of its citizens. Last week the United Negro Press reported that graduate I students of the University of North Carolina voted! overwhelmingly in favor of admitting colored stu dents to the university while the governor of the! state was hastily reassuring their parents that no! Negroes would he admitted to the school at Chapel j Hill. It may be .reasonably assumed that there are vast | numbers of whiteltudents in the South who would ] not • object to sitting Irf the- same classroom ’•with': Negroes. The hordes of Southerners in the schools of the North seem to fare rather well despite the fro ! quent contacts with Negro students. Their elders, however, are more concerned wih preserving the old tradition of the South which means simply relegating Negroes to the woodshed wherever possible. The future of the South rests largely upon the kind of adjustments the races can make toward each other. The present system of isolating the young-students can only make an intelligent racial adjustment more difficult. When one considers that the Negro is no isolated factor in Southern economy, this foolish system of segregation of the youth limits the oppor- i tunities for mutual understanding and cooperation, without which no progress will ever come. The re sults of the poll among the students of the University of North Carolina, however, indicate that there is still ground for hope. THE BREWSTER STORES On the completion of the Brewster Project, one' of the most frequent questions asked by our citizens concerned the occupancy of the twenty stores. Sev eral citizens committees were formed to interview the housing officials on the subject and they were informed that Negro businessmen could be assured of getting the stores if they wished. It was further disclosed that a number of our businessmen made Editorial Page of THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE BOOK REVIEW A PURITAN IN VOODOO LAND. I by F.dna Tafl. Penn Publishing 1 Cos.. Philadelphia. 1938. $3. Tin: BLACK JACOBINS, the Story ; of Tooasaint L’Ouverlure, by C. I„ R. James, the Dial Press, New | York. 1938. S3 75. Reviewed by GERTRUDE MARTIN Haiti, the Gaudy Island, as Arna ) Bontemps termed it in his recent j lecture here, is becoming the vogue t for an increasingly large number ]of writers and travellers. As one' indication of this trend, 1938 marked I the publication of two extremely . readable accounts dealing with the Black Republic by two very differ ent w men Zora Neale Hurston and Edna Taft. Miss Hurston’s j TELL MY HORSE was reviewed ! in this column several months ago. | The things that interest, surprise : and shock these two writers are | often quite different. Miss Hurs- ! ! ton, a Negro, evidently was able lto acquire much more first-hand i information on the Voodotf-rites, j !On the other hand. Miss Taft Is ! far more detailed and complete in I ! her presentation of Haiti's back-; i ground and of the Haitian aristo- I C-Focy and peasantry. Miss Hurs ton's book is' impressionistic and j sensational. Miss Taft's account A PURITAN IN VOODOO LAND is a very intimate travel log giving as it does the author’s reactions to ] all that she met in her first ex-; . jmrivnoe — wulh —Negroes— as — equals — ; We fuel sure, that hau Miss Taft! undertaken a similar trip through I the United States she would have! discovered many of the same phe- nomena which wore new and strange to her In Haiti. In' this' case we believe that Miss Taft was definitely the loser in not having seen America first. A PURITAN IN VOODOO LAND is full of Haiti's bloody background ano Some of th.e incidents are un believably cruel and gory. Miss Taft attempts to debunk much that has been written of Toussaint and, indicates the possibility--that he may • liave been simply an opportunist in terested in selLadvamccmcnt. _ She . also gives rather sketchy outlines! of the other Haitian heroes, Henri ] Christopher, Dessalines and Potion. ’ The book is one that is both on tertaining and informative in its l point of view. Much of its interest is derived from the fact that a New j England gentlewoman is recounting her honest reactions to those around j her. She is able to see both good and bad in her blue-blooded asso-! ciates but is more charmed by the j sincerity and simplicity of the peas ants. Her attitude towards her colored hosts when in their homes as a guest sometimes smacks of in-1 ! gratitude when she decides that . | she does not like xnrh-.proximity j j with colored people. The book con i tains a large number of excellent photographs. THE BLACK JACOBINS stands apart from and above the trend I have mentioned above, the present popular interest in Haiti. Mr. James' book ia a definitive work on the San Domingo Revolution and the product of years of study. Aft er reading this account one is piore! aware than ever of the sketchi ness of the historical refererces of writers like Miss Hurston and Miss Taft. ' Mr. James writes history that is i alive. We see in the struggles of the San Domingo slaves the strug gles of oppressed groups throughout the ages. This revolt was not a i thin apart but was one aspect of the French revolution and like it was a class struggle. The author ; points out the critical position of' the blacks even after abolition when J the bourgeoisie and the masses In France wore struggling for leader -1 ship of the country. The vacilla tions of the maritime bourgeoisie! and even of the leftists on the { question fit slavery, made the task ] of the slave leaders doubly hard. Mr. James makes it clear that . the revolution in San Domingo was , a class struggle and not a racial • one. It has been commonly held j that the difference between the mu j laUoes and blacks were differences • rs entor. not Ttre inevitable eonTircr* of mulatto landowners and slaves as was the case. Riguad. the mu latto leader in the South, was in ] dignant at - the idea that he was prejudiced against the color of the . ; blacks. Most of all THE BLACK JACO- ! , BINS brings out in startling propor-! ■ tions the character of Toussaint L’Ouverture. This kindly, reticent, ! highly gifted ex-slave led his peo ; pie to freedom and was able in the , ] midst of intrigues and resistance! I from Britain ahd Spain to maintain*] ! his position. Despite the fact that he was unable to write, T ussaint was a man of rare ability and un- ’ usual .cultivation. His refusal to, take revenge on the whites and mu- j lattoes who came into his power is ; the keynote of his character, and ' ' an extraordinary trait at this par- ] ; ticular time when brutality, and h- j cense were the order of the day. His death while a prisoner of the j French was a tragic climax to a life ! ; the latter years of which he had ' giveivto his people and to France. ' His successor. Dessalines. in many | j ways the opposite of Toussaint, left behind him a bloody trail as he I I made secure the independence of ! the isk.nd which Toussaint had j . wished to keep a part of France. I Evepy Negro will find much that is suggestive and inspiring in the] life of Toussaint L’Ouverture and in 'he su 'C< ss fu! struggle f r fn <- fl'im of a colored pc. pie. Howov« i the appeal of the book is not limit- j [ be able to trace in it the germs of ! many broad historical movements. I The author, a Negro, can fake his ) place high in the ranks of historian? \ of his race. WESTSIDE DETROIT By BETTIE ELLINGTON 5242 Vinewood Avenue IS, Gnl bold ar.d others Mrs Annie' 1 Mitchell is club president. The Deacons’ Union of Detroit held ! Its election of officers on January 9. I 1 at. hlew .Light Bapttst church. Beach-. wood and Milford. The newly-elect.'d officers Will be installed Monday season will be given, honoring all dea- Purposes of Deacons’ Union "The purpose of the Deacons’,, Union ! is to school deacons for part of the other purpose, and is qpen for all i mlnis’ers who have deacons .to invest!- j Ha res, v'ce president: J. W Baker secretary: S. !.. Jordan, treasurer; J Will Cooper and J J Williams, ln- Free Adult‘Classes JolA t ne was hart by alt Gamble. Rosemary Stralev Valerie Hoyt. M rverine Cathcart, Merlin La- Kntertalns Club Mrs. Grace Burnett of 6038 Colfax, entertained the Young Matrons' club ■ at her home Thursday of lust week ; served by the hostess. The next meeting will he held at ; the home of Mrs. George Burntt F. i..v right of last week Officers wee elected for this year After hn« e.sv the hostess served a buffet . president! Mr* C<*»me Wtl'tsm? ?e*- refary. and Mrs. Edna Valen’lre. a«- Young Matron Guild Enjoys Tarty Several ot the Westside young mar ried couples enjoyed a gay party given by the Ycjung Matrons’ guild at the home of Mr and Mrs. James Stovall of 6052 Bee-’hwood last week Included among the jolly group were: Mr. and Mrs. George Burnett, Turner. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Gilmore, r. and Mrs. Claywell Turner. Mr. and Mrs. WUber Burnett, Mr. and Mrs. James Welch, Miss Gnleither Dicker son. Wavman Rivers. Sylvester Henry. Mr. and Mrs Allen TelUs and many Triangle Club Plans Party The Triangle club of S'. Cyprian church met Tuesday evening of last week at the home of Mrs Mabel Mose tton of the “evening was spent dtscnsKtng plan; for a pre-V; dentine card party •to be given February 2, at 1 o'clock iri the Guild hall of S:. Cyprian church The remainder of the evening was Joying a very delicious repast, the member* adjourned ‘n meet again chronicle News Cartier,in Hospital '•' ■ •• 'J and M-s Edward Moore of 3818 West Kirby was aken to the Chlld-en's hospital Newly-Weds Honored At Dinner ar and Mrs. George Hutchinson, newly prrtv ft th.c home of Mrs. Juanita Me. the W iling Workers' club of Newlight Other honored guests were Mrs. Mc- Gary end Mrs. Young who celebrated •heir birthday and were a part of the club's honored guests amd members After enjoying a very tasty menu 1 o,aut:ful birthday gifts from the club were presented and personal gifts to of New Light Bapttst church. Guests present were: Mr. and Mrs Hutchinson. Mr. and Mis Ernest ' B-own. Mr. and Mrs. Vance Mitchell | Spears Mrs. Taylor. Mrs. Branson. application for stores far in advance of the comple tion of the project. This week, however, our attention has been called to the fact that only half of the stores have been rented although they are easily available to our peo ple. Despite the great uumber of applications which , have been accepted and certified It is reported that many of the businessmen are reluctant to make a decision. In view of the trouble that was so generally i anticipated, the present situation may he regarded i as unfortunate. roe, thg neGRO By WM. L. SHERRILL President, Afro-Amcrican Institute and Federated Fireside Croups ' which seek to dominate its people. I‘Heretofore the Negro outside of | ; Africa was interested only in Af j rica’s religious future, not in iu j I pul:Leal and economic future. But t todaylhere is widespread interest :.u_:Ue part of N<gr <s outside of i Africa In the political future of Lire | country. Movements are underway m America and the- West Indies whose sole purpose is that of aiding : the African in his struggle to retain his ccuntrj. A DAY OF RECKONING ; African nVtives, themselves, are openly opposing further subjuga- I t.mn by the wjiite man. Organizu ti )ns have teen formed in Africa | and native papers established for ' the purpose of arresting the white | man’s conquest of Africa. Those who seek to dominate Af rica realize that this new awakening ■ • n the part of the Negro, to the po- ! I ii'.ical and economic future of Af i rica and his inherent rights therein. \ }is transforming the black man into ; a force with which the world must 1 sooner or later, reckon. The new of Africa is designed to create interest amongst a steady flow of white immigrants to the African continent. 1 , If the world can be made to look to Africa as the land of wealth and ; opportunity and th<i white -masse? • this cnntiTTrr.t, it will not,be difficult' to marshall the forces of white, against black men when the in- • evitable comes. ‘ ' j Ol K SACRED DUTY We. the Negro, cann.t remain in different toward African • domina te' n and subjugation. We must be v;tal!y interested in eve:y effort to' aid the African in his struggle for freedom. We should be vitally in- i . teres ted in the future of Africa. : Scoff the idea if you will but the : fact remains that tfte future of Ne- j : err ex outsldg Africa _ ts“duffnitoly j Led up with the future of Negroes] ; ■ Af -a Sending s ippl < s to " Spain, fignting in the Chinese’army I sacrificing for Russia may all be laudable, by dying, if need be, for African freedom, is the Negro's i sacred duty. Arkansas Students Hear Religious Lecturer : PINE aiiifF. Ark, Jan. 20- I Louis T. Gregory, noted lecturer ( land teacher of the Bah'a'/ religion.! I of Cambridge. Mass., has just com- i pitted a series of lectures at Ar kansas State college centering 1 I principally about' international' brotherhood and international | good-will. Mr. Gregory came to the college at the Invitation of the work of j the college committee on religion i of which Miss Lydia Martin, dean 'of women, is chairman. A NEW PICTURE OI AMERICA I Comparing current newspaper clippings pertaining to Africa and ! Africans, with those of the last two i decades. I observe two things which 1 strike me as being significant. One j is the increased space, news of Af rica ajld Africans is claiming hi the press. The other is the change in ’ content and teflor of African news. Most of what was printed about Africa years back was of a humor ous, ridiculing or pity-soliciting , nature. Ninety-eight per cent of the ink and space used made sport of native customs or ; pleaded for more generous contribu • tions to the missionary box. Today we obse: ve a serious note, being struck in African news re ] leases. What we fead today tends to kindle interest in the "Dark Con tinent-;—its untouched*'wealth and untold possibilities. Stress is being laid up< n Africa's political and eco nomic importance in the future dominance of the "civilized world," which is being interpreted means, the while w Mid. Indirectly, attention of the ad venturous y::d enterprising is being directed do -the landror-gntden ■<: p- • couraged to seek new fields there. Big busines needs no encourage ment. This, however, does not mean Negroes nor Negro business. Negro/.- outside of Africa have as in Africa as they have getting ac commodations at the Book-Cadillac | hotel in and wntown Detnjt. Even! the Nogro living in Africa is denied, fret with the aliens who seek to blot I WHY? Why this 1 rterease- in new? about , Africa and his change in the sub-1 . ject matter of these articles? What. accounts for the new interest in i Africa? Why the feverish attempt 1 to kindle widespread interest in the "Dark continent.’’ its vast resources and unlimited opportunity? Has the white man only lately be : eome-ißtereMcd in Africa? No. Have i they just recently discovered its! wealth and riches? No. For many decades leaders of the white world have been slowly making inroads into Africa—robbing and exploiting the Africans. White nations have fouuht for rich sections of this great continent under first one guise then-another, but al ways f r the self-same reason—Loot. With the Bible : n one hand and the sword in thg other. Europe ha- been slowly prostrating Africa. . ° THE NEGRO SEES Change'ln the African Ne jro's aV ] titude toward white domination of Afr'ra av! a r" :: African con sciousness on the part of Negroes i outside of Africa is to a large ex -1 tent responsible for the widespread "build-up" Africa is receiving V dav. It is responsible for the change dl.tirt .n this particular field of en ntrTrnnn avfvtf bxptist T.limi.le Good Mill flub • Sm: '.iv event- - Tan 22. fr -n * :•'”/ fi o'clock. Tee affair is in ■ - . p-ev/ien* M Jackson •cc:etary. 1 • .. r • ; was conducted by Mrs Maud Boudoln “3Tf Hf're AnwH!i tto grlevanrp? * NEW IlflHT nXPTIST CHURCH 'nt'.o-C, 'l'---'- 'XIZ v rk lr.cnfi-S arp g..in n.-tve Mu v. c Popularity Eight Club Toe Popularity Eight club held its me evening immensely. Obituary - Uanmw. Wednesday uf~Dig! Mi - «*t.Joyc<J hr ' * the confifmatson serv.ecs •o be he and at me- Church ot 11 o'clock This U scat. The public is invited. VT STEPHEN’S \ M F flit It( II S’. Stephen's wa? crowded to U? cip. City S-..nrtay The rrxival mectir.r Wit Thtf Qu< ft «' T ■ F-entnr*? Cn-mt: 1 T)p;v ' -. VIUiT* Prunlne T>ie T-ib.i! Mean «.f .lows. The Minority *rd-t c M.Tirt'c •.ition. The Poo* ve D T.e Q« 'Ui.pV T v T i. : - IV, ; ?• • V.- - dav meh! at the .• of V.» C [drawing by Arthur Si'hcrt. The draw ling is "Christ Walking On the Water" SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1939 Hastings Street Serenade A SHORT STORY U> I \KK3 CIIIBM Synopilt: Donald Scott. 21 who love* Carolyn in|s 11reel and take CarolwV wuii : unable lo earn enough money on wh i to get married. Carolyn leaves home after shs hea> ofT to'TnSyily sk/nned black man whom she detests. It is raining outside but Carolyn leave* and find? she ter During a date the next evening with Don she becomes passionately aware that she need- and wants his love more than anything in the world. Aiter ho leaves she has a premonition that something dreadful is about to happen, she is re-tless and unable tp sleep Don passes a poolroom on h:s way drunk oily skinned black mam about Ca.-oiyn. Don is knifed during tin fight. (Now go on wRh the story) John grunted with the effort. He breathed fast and short. Don. with blood trickling from a sh.ulder wound, saw his chance lie; divert headlong at his Opponent. DOWIt tney went. They rolled over and over, each trying to stay on top. ■ ’ Ttrufe agam. The "drunk" Had managed Up. then, descending with the full rich! fi>l, thudded.'—ag.i.r. ami .ij’.Uri : far heavier opponent as .they Tolled • ver and over on the ground. Both could make no headway towards get- Wholl-y sobered by the ho.>t of (he. fight, John's‘superior strength and his dirty fighting tactics overweighed D-.n's puny blows and desperate of- Still John threatened to get the best to stay cm t—p-of -hts foe. Suddenly John gave a quick twist, of—gleawwwg- t.le»»-.-caught Don's . eyes. He made a desperate sidewise fast. He felt the sting of cold steel, then warm blind'soaking his clothes.! John seemed determined to knife him through the'"heart. The quick side John sprang down on his weak and work. Once again the long blacfed. slim and razor'sharp knife, gleamed in the dim light Then suddenly Don's inert form. His legs doubled up, then flew out The ful: impact caught J bn In TTTe pit of his stomach. The knife flew John grabbed his stomach and slowly and lay a groaning mass beside Don. houldcr cut and bleeding, and ex cruciating pains all through his weak ened body. “Oh! Oh" he groaned and then lay still be- de hLs vanquL«hed opponent "My shoulder my should er - ..it hurls like hell." he repeated semi-stupor. Carolyn hoard a fiantic voice .ok "I- Carolyn here*" The v re. =be Coj'dn't toll whoi.e,. seemed door between, ’he. two rooms But wa? half dre-sed and Into the,other i "u"per.se," ihe ToJehcd'.i*4 fl/at "fflfW-' thing dreadful wa? wrong. | quick -ri ken w rrt? t Carolyn, a? the , The room wa? dark She couldn’t | "Carolyn' .’’ the body voiced weak i 'hen n'.led downward.? She tfifled to inspect hi? bandaged shoulder and »rm Then a . turned hts l ead to hide, a grimace of : t tljc -em -darkne*s b.d all tli. • hurl< . v-,,i She ,v ; and trembl/hg needed her strength, her courage i That’S why he and sent for her He rttraea her Tove .w.a TOTdernc>* "Oh Don. I it never leave you . the bandage of his Injured shoulder J a lamp, then placed a 1 ght covert"c Y<« w.:u ' .u here he a-swe-ed T*»n ain one good hand d*e* hc • 'd -over to brush her I.pa againat i He; t>c.- f.. j:: a t; ;«adbare lour, e ' on s's lc i"<r ' Y l"Vb« mo’l i ' side Her heao leaned itfhMy tnandiny, . jwept o\er her body. At Her - it. warm h.r Is crept up • * t Sh.vvly. but gathering in speed and ClL.fii c ••: f.’ cc* cor ’ "H< 1 o Hone?, e.»t any money.... 'w ’r' / headed it not. Thfv nd q L" Don ■ w.-ur .eg before the r, ar of the END (Which length Ehort storv do you vottr answers to Larry Chism, 812 Last Vernor Highway, City). Birdhurst Echoes' KtttfWt ftST YOtTtt TO Tic Birdhurst Youth Council ot N. Recreation Committee will sponsor a foru:i, on tiie first and third Sunday The first forum in this series will be held on tiie first Sunday in February There groups expect to bring many ! outstanding speakers to these forums. Much is to be gained by attending. BIRDHURST C’AGERS m i l v; KitiM.i i; r tic IU • ■ Lr j <• . . . • feat ire I'' g-KlLkvi-Ui-.,’ ‘u. ?3. T.V 18 at liiC Monger ?. • r.r> Wedr ] T-e «co- ¥ at ip e 1.-l' ya?B to 12. in '■ctt. Dean and Giles cooperating in | Kroger to win by a large margin. Dee Jenkins was hieli point man making 16 point? with E. Burt follow.r.g with FREE niI.LIXRDS AT BIRDHURST : AD active members of any activity ii CO-ED CLUB TO PRESENT PLAY ' i ’ lc iur.?t Rcc: t/• ,-n Cer.’-.r ‘V T . F;irta - V t '°' v f’” r To_3 p.m. In -1 \S ftMIG \S TO SPONSOR BRIDCI WIIISI PXIUA ’ BIKOIII RST GIRLS WIN »?•■.’ ca •* hv def. • -g People? ItIK Oil I i;s l |ii cl \ i PUS II \( . Dillard L. Co-op Pays Dividends NF.W ORLEANS. Jan 20-Pay •he*' D..*ard''uruverCoopvra:t ve ro *'V' C ’ :nr *4 >••!?• w eek by JU Ita'B -r. i ■ - - ' ■ ; "a ol b- k a:.d gta ‘ r i L-i‘ i 111.000.000 yen! 1 . ••'-•^dat