Journal of Negro Education

The Position of the Negro in the American Social Order: Where Do We Go From Here? Author(s): W. E. Burghardt Du Bois Source: The Journal of Negro Education, Vol. 8, No. 3, The Present and Future Position of the Negro in the American Social Order (Jul., 1939), pp. 551-570 Published by: Journal of Negro Education Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2292651 . Accessed: 12/06/2011 14:16
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CHAPTER XXIV

THE POSITION OF THE NEGRO IN THE AMERICAN SOCIAL ORDER: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
W. E.
BURGHARDT Du

Bois

Reuter characterizesthe period of BIOLOGY Negro effortsince Emancipation, as of This calls fora reexamination the "blind fumblingfor a new basis of Negro in America,first a biological as racial accommodation,"arising from entity,afterthe dogmas and prophethe fact that "The Negroes are trying cies of earlier days. Cobb makes a to achieve equal status in the com- succinct and fair summation: the mon social order."The whitesare try- AmericanNegro is a hybridof Afriing to prevent democratic equality. can, Indian and European blood,inter"The Negrois a problemin the Ameri- breedingeasily; he is fecund,strong can social orderbecause his aspiration and mentallyable; with some special and behavior are orientedtoward a aptitudes, and with marked adaptagoal that a dominant majority does bility.The group,handicappedwith a not want realized." This is a pill diffi- provertydeath and disease rate, is cult forus to swallow. We have tried shown by Dr. Cornely to have dehard to believe that American race creased its general death rate noticeprejudice was the foible of a few; ably in the last decade, and between that the majorityof whiteAmericans 1910 and 1934, to have reduced its were with us, if they realized our 447.7 from from tuberculosis mortality plight,or if they could be persuaded thousandto 146.4; a rate per hundred that the interests of their country biological susindicatingno inherent were bound up with the interestsof to ceptibility disease. the Negro group. Of the Negro's mental ability,JenClearly it is not enough for us to kins says "Negroes of superiorintelliprove that our rise, developmentand gence emergeunder propitiousenvirequality,will not hurtthe whites; we onmental conditions. Negroes are are requiredto convincethemthat our foundin the various highestlevels of survival and success are bound up tested intelligenceshowing that difwith theirs. This at best requires a are individual ferencesin intelligence deterlong, slow fightby intelligent, rather than racial. Any programtopatience and mined men,with infinite ward the developmentof the Ameriideals. Foreign observers, unswerving Negro must be based on the asas Seiferth says, from Ratzel and can that the race is fullycapable Schurzand Hoetsch,see salvationonly sumption of the standpoint mental ability, of "by determination the coloredrace from in itself"; while later observerssee in- of assuminga position of equality creased frictionas the Negro grows the social order." We can then conand even a clash be- clude with Cobb "His futurewould more intelligent, tween the dogmas of human equality appear to restupon otherfactorsthan his biologicalquality." and racial exclusion.
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STATUS OUR Low SOCIAL this group is itselfforcedto grapple. What are these otherfactors?They No matterwhat the true reasons are, are two: the present inferiorsocial or where the blame lies, the fact restatus of the AmericanNegro and the mains that among twelve million handicap of race prejudice. There is American Negroes there are today ignorance, disease and crime. betweenthese two, poverty, causal connection A determined fighthas been made status is not but not direct;low social the sole cause of the colorbar, and on upon Negro ignorance, both within the group,and the results the otherhand presentrace discrim- and without this the have been notable. Nevertheless, ination is not the only cause of is stillan ignorant people.One in every Negro's low social status. Negro selfthat mostNegroes six Negroesten years of age and over, recognizes criticism in the United States today occupy a admitted in 1930 that he could not low culturalstatus; both low in itself read and write.It is probablethat one withthe national in everythreewould have been justiand low as compared to averagein the land. There are cultured fied in confessing practical illiterto inexperience lack ofknowland individuals and groups among them. acy, the meaning of the modern All Negroes do not fall culturallybe- edge of low all whites.But if one selects any world. In the South, not one-halfthe one of the obviously low-cultured colored childrenfrom five to sixteen groupsin the United States, the pro- are regularlyin school and the maportionof Negroes who belong to it jority of these schools are not good will be largerthan the Negro propor- schools. Any poor, ignorant people tion in the total population. Nor is herdedby themselvesfilledwith more thereanythingsingularabout it; the or less articulate resentment, are real miraclewould be if this were not bound to be bad mannered,formanso. Former slavery, present poverty ners are a matter of social environwiththe inevitablere- ment; and the mass of AmericanNeand ignorance, in sulting sickness and crime, are ade- groeshave retrograded this respect. There has been strikingimprovequate social explanation. This low social condition of the ment in the Negro death rate. It was majorityof Negroes is not merely a betterthan that of mostSouth Ameriproblemof the whites; a question of can countries,of Italy, Japan and historicguilt in slaveryand labor ex- Spain even beforethe war. But Corneploitation,and of presentdiscrimina- ly and Alexander conclude "that the tion; it is not merelya matterof the health of the Negro in the United of social uplifting an alien groupwith- States as measured by mortalityand in their midst; a problem of social morbiditystatistics is not nearly so contact and political power. Howso- good as is that of the white populaever it may be thus rationalizedand tion; that more needs to be done to explained,it must be, at any current meet his health needs particularlyin momentprimarilyan inner problem the young adult group; that progress of the Negro groupitself,a condition has not been achieved through the are from whichtheythemselves prime media of private medical practice, and a problemwith which hospital facilities, or public health sufferers,

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Negroes),for employed facilities." Pneumonia, heart disease, ten gainfully seemsto hold the group future syphilis and homicide are far too which a and third, negligible least promise; prevalent. into of It is hard to know just what the degree integration the system per criminal tendenciesof the American of apprenticeship-1.4 centof the in Negroes are, for our crime statistics 77,452apprentices manufacturing industries." are woefullyinadequate. We do know and mechanical to that in proportion populationthree THE COLOR BAR timesas manyNegroesare arrestedas affecting The other consideration of whites.The transgression the poor This is always manifest among Negro statusis race prejudice. and sick of the is of all sorts, theft prejudice not entirely result Negroes: disorder breaking the the Negro'slow social status. It is and burglary,fighting, in gambling and liquor laws and espe- embalmed the moresand institunot each tionsof the land and is manifest with and killing cially fighting of in the basic caste legislation only other. South,but in the administration Above all the Negro is poor: poor the of by heritage from two hundred and of law and the attitude the courts of Thus socialdegradation years of chattelslavery,by in general. forty-four and intensified emphaemancipationwithoutland or capital, the Negro is discrimination years of addition- sized by segregation, and by seventy-five of pay,difficulties and al wage exploitationand crimepeon- in employment morefundamentally, and, age. Sudden industrial changes like promotion the Civil War, the World War and spiritual segregationfrom contact the spree in speculation during the with those groupshaving the best and lack of twentieshave upset him. The Negro mannersand customs, handicaps. despite to worker has been especially hard hit incentives effort in Of depression. the near- By outerpressure mostcases Neby the current ly threemillionNegro familiesin the groes must live among themselves; ownpeoplein segreto United States today probably the neighbors their in of breadwinners a million are unem- gatedpartsof the city, segregated is The segregation districts. ployed and another million on the country and mostof it is cuslower margin of decent subsistence. not complete than legal. Nevertherather Analysis of 1930 census reports on tomary live withNegroes, occupations reveals for Negro work- less,mostNegroes ers says Wilkerson: "first,a dispro- in what are on the wholethe least places. dwelling andhealthful portionate concentrationin agricul- pleasant This means that Negroeslive in tural and domesticand personalservof ice pursuits (six out of everyten Ne- districts low culturallevel; that men, withtheirfellow gro workers), both of which fields, theircontacts withpeople largely agriculture,are experienc- involvecontacts especially and and ing the rapid inroads of technology; untrained ignorant, sometimes are not even greaterconcentration anti-social.These districts second, an group of un- usually protectedby the policein the social-economic over and victimized tyrannized skilled workers (seven out of every rather

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"is by them. Few realizewhattyranny prejudice not goingto be apprea or lowgradepoliceman exercise a ciably weakenedby preachments can in misconuponthestupid assaults colored neighborhood. court un- mere In his amongwhitesabout current word cannotbe disputed, ceptions supported him Negroes.Such approachesand proand theonlyreal defense against and the attack symptoms maniby and is often mayhem assassination grams hue festations race prejudice,rather of with resultant black criminals, of sew- than its associatedfactors." and cry.Cityservices water, age, garbage-removal, street-cleaning, No matterin what degreeor in popnoiseand traffic lighting, regulations,whatwaytheactionofthewhite these or are and hospitalization usual- ulation mayincrease decrease schools the they ly neglectedor withheld.Saloons, socialproblems, remain presmustbe facedby which and seek brothels gambling theseareas entproblems, and by with openortacitconsent. colored people themselves the Mingemphasizes factthat"The colored people of widely different not in Negro suffers thecourt so much status.What can be done,and done whichwill last theiradminis- despite this prejudice from laws as from the from He tration. suffers thehostilities longandyieldslowly? of jurorsand judges." Nabrit says EMANCIPATION ECONOMIC of "The politicalimpotence the NeThis symposium is arresting and groin theSouthis due to themaladof and ministration malconstruction unique in the emphasis put now for the laws and not to the absenceof the firsttime on the underlyingeconomicproblemof the AmericanNegro laws." the In thebasicmatter education, of the as pointing nextstep in emancipadiscrimination all too clear. Ran- tion. It comesto the forein nearly all is som showsthat the equal protection the papers, but it has significant few. in clauseof the Fourteenth Amendmentemphasis a conspicuous Reuter is of little practical use,as the courts says flatly "The Negrois a problem to allowthe authorities give Negroes because he affordsan easy means of and and exploitingprejudice for private proshorter terms, lowersalaries, to divert fundsfrom Negroto white fit."Johnsonadds "In spite of many schools.Wilkerson points out "that acute psychological aspects of race from Federal fundsfor contact and relations,it is becoming expenditures in vocationaleducation these eight- increasingly evident to Southerners een (Southern) states aggregated that the race problems are basically $3,634,275during1934-35.Of this economic, and can only be soundly or total,$3,279,341, 90 per centwas remedied by approaching them as for spent whites; only and $354,934, such." Brown says "Any realisticproor tenpercent, Negroes." for gram will take into account the ecoThis race prejudice deeplyen- nomic foundationsof race prejudice. lies trenched theminds mostAmeri- It willrecognize relation bread, in of to its cans.Law and court decisions not securityand prestige."Butler points will avail,untilthisfundamental attitude out in the case of the main Negro ocis changed. Brownputs it, race cupational group, "No other occupaAs

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? tional groupof the American people is as disadvantaged the Negro as farmer. onlydoes he suffer Not from thenumerous diseases a sickindusof try-whichare popularly tolumped gether the 'farm as problem'-but he mustoperateunderthose additional handicaps imposed by the general of poverty the South and his racial proscription.)) To whatpathdoesthispoint? Lewis says "The price of cottonis not a racial matter, the vicissitudes nor of

555

laborandofblack of The future white by laborwillbe tested thisrealization as wellas by its collective-bargaining leadeconomic powerwithAmerican Brownadds "Anymovement ership." or political in resulting the economic, of social collaboration Negroesand in is whites, far moreimportant the of mitigation prejudicethan all the across race lines." grandgestures This advice to the Negro worker, beforeit was was alreadyfollowing the out Butlerpoints thatwith given. Act and the Nathe general economic cycle. . . . At NationalRecovery every point the Negro's economic tional Labor RelationsBoard, there problem merges intoa larger problem has been a large increasein Negro in men affecting of either race. Yet this participation labor unions. The basic factshouldnot blindus to the Congressof IndustrialOrganization Johnimpetus. comcomitant ofracialdiscrimina-has givenstillfurther fact tion."Lewis therefore Negroesin the 100,000 advises "first, son estimates of increase Negro a successful attackupon the general C.I.O. and a general members totalunion menamong economic of union problem thecountry, secfourto nine ond, an advance on the part of the in New York City from working to class as a whole, and finally, per centin a decade.He points ina degree inter-racial in of on creasingNegro membership the cooperation the economic and Union, level whichwill assure Southern TenantFarmers to theNegroa fairsharein suchad- overa hundred laborunions interracial vance." Alabama industrial in the Northern area, in thelast fiveyears. THE LABoR MOVEMENT adviceofthe Back ofthisstrategic Wesleyand others believethatthe Negrointelligentsia, defensive reand LaborMovement themost is available sponseof the Negroworker, the lies present pathforeconomic advanceby economic that,whilethe philosophy Negroes. Wesleysays "It can be well capitalists and other upper white envisioned that racial lines may be groups responding slowly and but are broken first labororganizations,reluctantly the Negrodemandfor at in to whileinter-racial intellectuals ra- justiceand equality, whitelaborare the tionalizing differences, maintaininger,on theother by hand,is forced his 'good' race relations and wavingthe necessities, emphasize economic to 'red' flagabovelaborleaderswhoin- class interests rather than racial ansistuponthe importance realizing, tagonisms. of up Lewissays"Casting the that fundamentally of class lines are evidence therelative of importance more determinative labor's future these of one twofactors, is led inevitably than racial ones which are more de- to the conclusion that the economic pendent upon the accidents of birth. rather is thantheracialfactor funda-

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of the mention Congress Inmental. . . . The historyof American writers and in and laborrelations, industry agri- dustrial Organization, thatnotso withits culture, givesamplebasis forthe be- muchbecause of agreement liefthatthe advanceof laborin gen- objects, becauseNegrolaborforms as of if eral is likelyto suffer thereis a so large a proportion the class is racial cleavagein its ranks." which thisorganization unionizing, to But here is necessary ask what thatthe recognition black laboris it of This into and is the Labor Movement whither necessary C.I.O.'s success. is is is it headed?The symposium sig- clusion the Negrotherefore, not of or silent vaguehere.In fact so mucha matter good will as of of nificantly The necessity; above all, it is notdue and there no one labormovement. is condi- to anyconviction thepartofwhite revolt laboragainstpresent of on threemain directions: laborthatthe black labormovement tionsexhibits Federation Labor is is going provean assetand a help. of the American to of a capitalistic, seeking method esOUR ECONOMIC ILLITERACY from individuals cape for fortunate the labor statusto that of employer For thisto be true,the Negrohas and race by monopoly, discrimination got to study the world's economic this when Buncheemphasizes Thesemeansin- plight. anyavailablemeans. of cludetheexploitation lessfortunatehe says "It is typicalof Negro orthemthat they concern and the laborgroups among whites of ganizations Thisprogram selves,not withthe broadsocial and colored laborin general. of is sharedin by the Labor Party of politicalimplications suchpolicies socialhousing, part relief, England by a considerable of as government and and unemployment oldof thelabormovement France.On the izedmedicine, of wagesand hourslaws, the other hand, Congress Industrial age insurance, income and etc.,but onlywiththe purelyracial seeksgreater Organization Theyare conof of better conditions workforlaborers aspects suchpolicies. determine and the as such, doesnotenvisage rise tentto letthewhitecitizen and of intothe ranksof capital- the expediency majorpolicies, of laborers To and direction istsor employers. theend of rais- the form theywill asto sume, it whiletheysetthemselves as up ingthestatusoflabor, is willing even of use all methods bargaining, to watch dogs over relatively pettyiswillgethis of the of theextent forcible expropriation sues,as whether Negro as by property exemplified the sit- proper share of the benefitsand the the strikes. down Finally, Communistswhether laws,oncemade,will be without economic fairly administered. thusdemark They seek a society in these classesandwouldaccomplish by forthe Negroa residualfunction which violent revolution, theyregard thesociety." take of as the only method overthrowing But whydoesnotMr. Bunche and enthroning dicta- a further moresearching the capitalism and stepof torship theproletariat. and say, Regardlessof what white Which ofthese now shall folkare planning three paths and doing, whydo the question, we follow? Thereis in thissymposiumnotNegroes boldlyface no clearanswer this, of most whatdo thebestinterests ourgroup to although

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and action,and white and Negro professional demandin thought and this whiteand Negroworkers. to how farcan a program secure This is to the be madeto promote bestinterests say,thewhite and Negroworkers will of all men?Mr. Bunchedoesnotsay be closerin theirinterests than the and derides Negro professional this becausehe deplores and the Negro racial actionas such. He lays down worker. is significant no allIt that a pointprogram Negro racial movementexists in neverthelessthirteen thus forracial organizations, clearly America, there no present and is indimustorgan- cationthat such will developin the that recognizing Negroes ends; and whilehe in- nearfuture. whole ize forcertain The logicofpresent mustnot trends towardthe employment siststhatsuchorganization is of be be "racial" theymustnecessarily thestrategy consolidating of minority sincetheyare carry- interests enforce racial in effect, to wider participation ing out the objects of the Negro- in the life of the community. There groupand forthat reason will be fewer American and fewer objectives of Negro-Amerimustbe predominantly the Negroeswhich are more racial and can in membership in ideology. thansocial and economic." Thisseems mea dangerous to propSuch organization, wishes to he the stresspoliticaland economic forces; osition.Instead of regimenting level of theNegro members the Negro groupinto a raisethe economic of assault upon the racial worker;encourageNegroesto join determined on laborunionsand carry a program barriers economic rather by methods, and ofpropaganda white black thansimply appealsto law and a among by the to workers this end; support or- sense of justice,Mr. Johnson would an industrial apparently of ganization labor on have us throwoverboard de- racialorganizations as quickly for as basis; fight thevoteand court just this to the possible, thatthe Negromay land cisions,but subordinate so justice; recognize himselfinto the class structure fight economic for of of that the best interests the Negro whitesocial organizations share and are boundup withthe best interests theirinterests hatreds.This asand laborlead- sumes of theworkers; encourage class thatthepresent economic relatethe interests structure the whiteworldis satisin ers to cooperate; of the Negroto worldevents;recog- factory, thatclass opposition beand and today is tween nize that the basic problem Negrocapitalists, exploiters but professional notthatofthevoteandthecourt, men, as against Negro and ofeconomic institutions; thatcul- labor,is an ideal towardwhichNetural upliftcan and will overcome groesshouldwork. racial prejudice. This is dangerousadvice and is in On the otherhand Mr. Johnson's partlysharedin by otherwriters fromthe same original thissymposium; by earlier writdeductions and thesisare morequestionable. says ers who assumethat the matterof He "Withincreasing social stratification actingas a racial groupand organizin theNegrogroup self-conscious- forobjectives and whichthe Negroes ing are therewill be mustattainif theysurvive, matness of labor generally, and vision the on closer class relationships between ters choice blurred of

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part of Negroes.Raphael Powell in our unavoidableracial segregation, the of racialobjecof 1937published last example a theadoption narrowly seeing the which tiveswhich hinder from us longline of booksand articles all tryto say thatthewholecauseofthe widerpaths beckoning humanity. peo- This is not so clearin Mr. Johnson's is problem, thatcolored "Negro" thinks that sincehe apparently to ple allowthemselves be calledNe- thesis, groesand to thinkand act as Ne- the avoidanceof racial aims in our groes.The obviousand inescapable economicobjectives is goingto facilianswer thatso longas themajority tate our escape into the economic is, in believe raceand classes of the whites;and that there ofwhite Americans to just colordiscrimination, so longwe we are goingto be in a position and race.Thisprocedure Thereis forget ignore as mustact racially Negroes. bare to attack. Jews cannot avoid wouldlay our flanks no alternative. is by changing their Economicclass division not peace anti-Semitism apparently with butwar.LewisandWesley to namesor refusing cooperate this, but believethat the We objects. havegot recognize for Jews common of of and tohaveracialorganizations recog- planning theCongress Industrial will of nize the groupinterests American Organization resultin such adNegroes,so long as outer pressure vance of labor as will createa new although theydo not world, does industrial pressure this;thatouter compels in compelit is manifest this sym- indicatejust what this worldwould and Buncheand I be. posium.Johnson objectives, in universi- Into any newindustrial are myself working Negro takethought the must ties,not because the subjectmatter however, Negro "racial"; or lestthe laborprogram consciously or which teachis purely we wreckitselfupon the havea "racial" unconsciously science should because of tinge; or because abilityshouldbe problem race.To avoidthisBunche by segregated color;butfortheobvi- advises that Negroestake part in in university planning thatNegrolaborleaders and thatno white ousreason in intoracial organizations to the UnitedStatesis going giveus be invited and and aca chanceforteaching research. orderto guidetheirthought tion.But hereagain comesdifficulty: THE NEGRO WORLD the program and ideologyof white Ne- labor is continually we For thisreason, American being furnished which groeshave built,and in selfdefense them by an intelligentsia com- sympathizes have had to build,a singularly withtheirobjects.This does not come down plete and separateNegro world in intelligentsia hospitals, from the above.It risesfrom laboring homes,schools,churches, re- mass itself.It is selfupliftand not literature summer and newspapers, economic sympathy philanthropy above. from or sorts.We lag in providing must but leadership institutions, present conditions But such intelligent the come.Without this intelligent guidare forcing to at leastexamine us in possibilities thisfield. ance, laborerswill meet disasterin to means empha- the future in the past. And while WhatMr. Bunche as in theyoften their of size is the necessity avoiding, intelligentrepudiate

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sia, in thelongrunit is cultural lead- effort?am worried I becausethiscurership must that guide labormove- rent the enablestheSouthto dispattern ment. without separating cuss its problems This must truein thecase ofthe theNegroproblem also to attack be and Negro.The inferior culture statusof its problem giving Negro the without It the NegroAmerican, meansthat his angletheattention demands. does it and inclusion any greatforward in move- notreduceNegroignorance povment,like that of labor,calls either erty calling plight and regional the by forunselfish to humanitarianism the proceeding give the whitesbetter on partofwhite labor, sucha strategic schoolsand higher or wages.It still reposition the partof Negroesthat mainstruethattheburden theculon of their exclusion would meandisaster to turaluplift the Negroand his adof the whites.We cannotlogicallyex- vancein economic wellas intellecas pect labor leadersto be moreunsel- tualandartistic be linesmust assumed fish world by his owncultural thanthemassofthewhite classes. in which theyhave been trained and NEGRO ACCULTURATION from whichtheyhave received their It seems to me the most striking ideals.Ontheother handit is notwise that a young resultof thissymposium, eveninunskilled to assume that labor, the from most confirms folkcouldnot be Negroscientist the aims of white and of anthropology suc- recenttechnique with considerable accomplished to not cess, even if they continued dis- psychology, onlythe factthat this criminate against coloredlabor. We must be true, but that it already is Allison see that clearlyin the attitudeof true in our own development. white Europeanlabortowardcolored Davis writes"There are major differto coloniallabor.It is moredifficult ences of behaviorwithinNegro groups carryout such a policyin a country accordingto economic levels. In Neare where two groups livingside grogroupstoday,parentsare members the by side,and yet the post Civil War of small social cliques whichconsistof history theSouthhas beentherise intimate of groupsoftwo or morefriends. of poorwhites at largely the expense These social cliques are the steps in of blacklabor.. the ladder of social rank and through It is forthisreasonthatI am ap- them class sanctions are maintained in and broughtto bear upon the child's prehensive a current at tendency lauds. He behavior. The upward or downward the SouthwhichJohnson confer- movementof an individual or family says of a recent encouraging "The central in the status system is a process of ence in Birmingham
feature. .. was the shiftof attention gettingto know and associate freely from Negroas a separate em- with a small group of people just and the on burden theSouth, an above or just below the position octo barrassing and in acceptance, principle practice, cupied by the individual.The controls of theNegroas an organic partof its upon the relation betweenwhitesand of regionalprogram reconstruction." Negroes are less important in the less child's training than the class and But does this make the burden and clique controlof the familyin which heavy or call forless attention

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it for must necesIn thisfight income, (My italics.) trained." hei~s this: sarily happen among us as among emphasize Roucekand Brown Mass and group againsub- whites, is that Class deserts "Everyimmigrant even follows it? sociallystrati- exploits Acculturation divided intonumerous in haltingly; slums, here,but slowly, fied classes and castes disintegrated It warringwith each disease and crime. is a long,disand frequently this Mustwe follow tragedy. alsototheNegroes. couraging other. Thisapplies beand to Is Negroes notjust Negroes each pattern? it inevitable right are espeMostNegroes, A linescriss- causeit is white? of other. multitude status Davis cially the educated and well-to-do, socialrelationships." their cross there- thoroughly group, "The colored believethis.They do not continues rest- fora moment the of question rightand fore, takestheform a steeple base Negroesto profit ingupona tremendous of lower dutyof well-to-do The whitegrouptakes by the low wage and low status of class persons. of in wider themid- the poor.Theirconception a fight of theform a tower to is dle than at the bottom."Frazier againstrace prejudice the right on expenditure thepartof in ur- conspicuous this emphasizes differentiation well-to-do. ban Negro familylife. "The move- the colored The mass of AmericanNegroes in mentof the morestableelements believe in the Negro populationtoward the especially theupperclasses, is in the presenteconomicregimeso of periphery theNegrocommunity against in as by indicated a gradualdecline the long itdoesnotdiscriminate "It is diffidisorganiza- them. Mr. Lewis says of As variousforms family of cult to see how the development tion." thenseemsto me purely Negro business enterprise This conclusion oc- would poputo The Negroin America inevitable: benefit theNegro bring its station. lationin general, whatever effect cupies today a low cultural of few.Nor thereis little The acculturation his massesmust on a favored to or in the be mainly taskof his ownintelli- reason, theory experience, beunderthese the gensia.If theyrefuse, accultura- lievethatlabor relations would be much less at tionof thismass willcontinue the circumstances but than the relationbehandsof the whites, slowlyand 'business-like' or with the hesitatingly, possibleregression tween Negroworker thewhite threat workerand the presentwhite emconstant and and disaster, with the to thestatusof cultural Negroesthe ployer."Mr. Buncheemphasizes in so is world over, longas colorand a low factthat"The Negro sorely need which in of of organization leadership, and statuscan be coupled theminds and independent intelliis sufficiently men. to orientation What now are the normsof this gentto givecourageous First of all it the groupand to guideit rationally Negro acculturation? maze of soand the must primarily fundamentally be through bewildering the on cial forces which characterize lines.All else depends in economic world." he adds "Existing But this.If we can earn a decentliving, modern until Negroorganizations philosophical race discrimination are we can fight Theythink paupers. it dies,if it takes a thousand years. and programatic

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and act entirely a blackgroove. thing in In itself:cultural from segregation a world which in events moverapidly the whites undoubtedly slowsup the and in which veryfuture them processof Negroeducation;but the the of selvesandtheir group at stake, is they evil is in the lack of education itself, are unableto see thesocialforests for and not in the separate school; if the racial saplings." despitethe separateschool,we can To whichI wouldanswer, way educate Negro the the youth and properly to the social forestis through the completely, have solvedourprobwe racial saplings;or better, it must lem.It seemsto me less thansane to as appearto mostof us today,the way make more moan over "jim-crow" which growing to thesaplings are into schools, thanoverNegro ignorance. Of coursethe whitesbar us from thefuture socialforest, through is the present starkand thick trunks an- mostoftheir of schools. Mostofthem do cient trees with almost impassable notwantus to be intelligent. the On undergrowth; through which the otherhand a majority the whites of AmericanNegro and other colored are willing let us teach ourselves. to groups mustforce cuta way.But This we are doing.Most intelligent and are we so ultra-racial, Negro-Americans so today were taught seriously proudof our colorand convinced by Negroteachers Negroschools. of in our superiority, to need warning? Our job is not to neglect as this major BunchequotesHitler"All thatis not dutyofteaching own,by vain reour at race is trash"; and apparently seeks grets the factthatour schoolsare to substitute "All save Race is our poorerand our teachers so wellnot trained thewhites. as soul's salvation." Meet theprobThat the Negro must move in a lem of betterNegro schools faceand racial groove today is clearlyshown forward, solveit. educational by our desperate plight. This we are not doing. We are of The majority Negro children of are ashamed Negroschools. should We Those be proudofthem. notlearning read and write. to Theyhave given us in school are so poorlytaught for thissymposium. Theycan giveus ecoemancipation. theyare not But suchshort terms thattheycannotdo nomic in firstclass collegework. Instead of doingthis.They are failing Vocaas over the handicap tional Guidance, well as in other getting hysterical says: "Whatis most we of onegraduate student, muststir ways.Wilkerson about the guidance effort teacha million disturbing to objecunited group tives reported theirplatitudinous is to unschooled children, enlistbetter for to folk adult disregard someof the mostbasic and more teachers, found whichaffect vocato educateour- considerations the studycircles-infine tional adjustment Negro youth. of of instead helplessly selves, complaininfolkdo nottrainus in . . . Only three of the eighty-two ingthatwhite 'a definite stitutions underreported intelligence. of is at problems Thompson concerned theplight standing theoccupational has of Negroes'as an objectiveof their but ofNegro education, apparently of guidance." in one a perfect phobia regarding cause programs vocational In thesameway Dr. Alexander inthan the of this as moreimportant

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persuasive." powerfully sists that "Privatemedicalpractice are often thinkBut Brownis hereevidently little among Negroes progressed if has as The at all in this generation. Negro ing mainlyof the whiteaudience, Negroart mustalwayshave are accord- though physicians notdistributed goal; whynotsee Negro of ingto theneeds thepeople. Negroes thisas their of in are excludedfromtaxed supported literature terms theNegroaudiof of medicalschoolsand have inadequate ence:as a means expression their as and aspiration; a picture medicaland hospital facilities. There feelings wasteand dupli- paintedfortheirown enlightenment is lack ofinsurance; of to cation equipment; of inability prac- of the vast tragedy theirlife,and veryfrustrations? of to thecomedy their ticepreventive medicine; inability of keepup to dateinknowledge medi- This is possible;but onlypossibleas is Negroclientele deliberatein cine; factions professional ranks; a buying built of exploitation Negro patientsand ly and consciously up to support and medi- suchart.In theendsuchliterature of physicians makers patent by and cines, drugcompanies, Negropro- onlysuch will be authentic true etc. fessional are personnel disadvantaged enough join theArtUniversal. to in industrial medicine, the fieldof in ECONOMIC PLANNING insurance examiners. Negroinsurance ocin of companies notresponsive health The guiding Negroes their are to and thought planby education needsoftheir cupations careful clients." out Lewispoints A racialtechnique artandpropa- ningis fundamental. in the ganda is inevitable. The children thatbehind wallsofrace segregaof have Charles Johnson have been taught tionblackinstitutions developed, are blackinstitutions these aboutthedeedsof great colored men; and among the children Ralph Buncheare go- Negro business,Negro professional of numberof ing to be carefully instructed the men and a considerable in He vagaries the color-line trained whitecollar workers. pointsout of and notto be ashamed theircolor.We that the morebalanced and normal of are all have to do this,muchas we hate Negro institutions those which and by the necessity. heretoo is oppor- have been forced segregation But but racialdemands; that tunity: Artcan makeblackbeau- serve our specific tiful. can be,notsimply "contri- even these have lacked vigor and It a to no butionto American culture," but a opened broadgate-way respectbecause self-sufficiency, contributionourownculture, to which ability and rawmaterial, essential is and long will be a thinglargely "basicindustry, are and and segregated apart,despiteall we transportations finance" conthinkor do. Sterling capital. Brown says: trolled white by on "American treatment the Negrois of Thiscallsfor thepartofNegroes at attempt newadjustnow seen to be one of the greatest a full-hearted to challenges democracy. Negrowrit- ment. Roucek and Brown reiterate moreand morearticu- what has so oftenbeen said: "The ers,becoming a in Negrobeingassigned moredefinite late and socially aware,are joining has devolof facedby place in the social ladder, thedepiction theproblems to from inside, the Negroes. Writing they opedtheartof adjustment rulesof

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Then came minoritiesuntrue;it was half-true. social relations. Immigrant but haveno suchwelldeveloped patterns." faithin politicalpower, political Can thentheNegroadjustand adapt power is limitedby the power of wealthin the UnitedStatesand even himself new economic to institutions, so as to avoid beingcrushed those in its limitedfieldwe are partially by in Then which surround him, and establish disfranchised. camefaith agibut as such institutions will lead out of tationand thecourts; all thisdeand his economic wilderness? answer pendsupon a responsive sympaThe hereagainis thathe must this, do and theticpublic opinionwhich is disand inrights protest thathe is alreadybeginning do it. posedto enforce to Such public justicedone to Negroes. We cannot and mustnotfollow the but in exists somecircles, it is economic of class structure America. opinion Its opinion. fulldenotyeta majority We have neither the economicnor severalgenerwill the of political power, ownership ma- velopment demand ations. chinesand materials, the power to no is Meantime there wayout?Yes, of the directthe processes industry, ecothereis; because the American of On monopoly capitaland credit. the of system nomicclass structure-that other hand,evenif we cannotfollow and of industry the state, of neverthelessdomination thismethod structure, Witha magnifi- throughincome and monopoly,is we are not helpless. in down;notsimply America cent new systemof natural roads, breaking Negroes is transportation no longerentirely but in the world.American degrees. differing thisin widely of the monopoly Big Business; raw realize with materials are only in part monopo- Most ofthewell-to-do, faireducan lized; cheapelectric power decen- cation,do not realizethe imminence changein the economic in and of profound tralize industry somebranches, in world.They are thinking rather modern popularthrift intimidated is and investment thrift, of of thanimpotent a source financial terms work, as the Theyhopewith lateBooker aid. We mustdo something. can- profit. We ecoto our- T. Washington securebetter notstandstill;we cannot permit by for conditions Negroes wider selves simplyto be the victimsof nomic and higher It and exploitation socialexclusion. is chances of employment in and the thatarises pres- wages.Theybelieve savings infrom paradox this in busNe- vestment Negroand in general ent frustration amongAmerican of and in the gradualevolution it We We groes. are afraid. think im- iness, will classwhich exinstitutions.a Negrocapitalist to possible buildeconomic Is thistrueor is it onlytruethatwe ploitbothNegroand whitelabor.On cannotand oughtnot to imitate the the otherhand some of the younger educatedNegroessee the and exploita- and better profit-making robbery in conditions, change economic Amer- coming tionthathas so longdominated its accomplishbut envisage ultimate ideals? ican business the following white onlythrough In thepastthepathseemed clearer. ment imThey,therefore, labormovement. was education. For a whileit When press it upon Negroesthat alliance leaders things all else we had educated wouldbe addeduntous. This was not with labor ratherthan with capital

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They urgeNe- and murder, spellstheirsalvation. withuse of all the reto groes join the laborunionsand to sources science, order enslave to in of of methods labor coloniallaborand further union trade advocate monopolize uplift. goods. with The difficulty thislattersoluTHE CONSUMER tionis that the same colorline,the The situationhas becomeimposin persists the same racial repulsion the go as labormovement inthecase ofother sible; it cannot on.It threatens This contacts. is onlynatural. very foundations of civilization. cultural Some recognizes danger. this to Everyone has laborer beentrained The white some interference, general blacklabor;to regard government and dislike fear of and regulation privateinthe Negro as an unfaircompetitorcontrol musttakeplace or civilization the to able and willing degrade price dustry Firstof all, it is clearthat oflabor;and eveniftheNegroprove collapses. consumof as man,histreatment an theinterests theintelligent a goodunion equal would involve equal status, ing publicand not the privateprofit of his ofthe owners capitaland directors through whichthe whitelaborer must hereafter the be resents of industry, bitterly training longcultural force indusin and of as a degradation his own status. guiding regulating of the thesecircumstances Ameri- try.The production goodsand the Under mustbe planned of labor rendering services can Negrofacesin the current for the in especially theA. F. ofL. and directed satisfying wants movement, and for and also in the C.I.O., the current ofmankind notprimarily enof few. riching thepowerful of racialpatterns America. public,who should The consuming orderof the economic The present producers whiteworlddoes not work.It has also be the real working mustresume logical its in periods the of the world, worked considerable for place the finaldirecting miracles and rightful of pastandhas accomplished This can be done and forcein industry. of marvels construction efficiency, Conwithout violenceor revolution. continue to of dreams power;it might handssufsumers todayholdin their at worktodayif not perfectly, least to powerfirst, breakdownby of to the satisfaction mostmen,but ficient ballotthe legal institutheirpresent inherent fatalweaknesses forcertain rule tions behind which monopoly of to any systemof irresponsible land The selfishness. system wealthis entrenched: monopoly, and uncurbed unof in- mal-distribution tax burdens, tempts and continually inevitably increof rulers just allocation the unearned and dividualowners autocratic tradepractices unfair mentof rents, and of innumerable semi-independent of and kingdoms em- with adulteration foodsand miseconomic satrapies, of at profits theex- representation goods, tariffinto pires, accumulate concealment of and penseof wages.And morefatalthan equalities bonuses, unfairlaws of of this,combinations theseeconomic incomeand profits, unand cheating gambling, and intonational internationalcontracts; realms with judicial interference timeto time, hampered are groups made,from news patentmonopoly; war law-making; willby world-wide to worktheir

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suppression distortion; trans- farintelligence, and and integrity, abilityand ferof wealthand powerby giftand higheconomic ideals,can be secured inheritance, regardless desert the to servethesecrusading of or groups;and publicgood; above all, the laws and a new industrialdemocracy establack oflawswhich makegroup action lishedon a firm basis of individual by consumers the interest con- knowledge initiative in of and builtup to sumers, illegalor ineffective. contest occupation the industhe of The second object of consumer trialfield withthepresent individualgroups should themselves be gradually ists, monopolists, high-binders and to regaincontrol production, of thus free-booters. will call foron the This making interests producers the of and other hand,from cooperating the conconsumers identical. do this,they sumers To and all friends humanculof must begin by creatinga primary ture,parallel,relentless fight against groupof industrial democracy, corre- present secrecy, privilege and cheatsponding the New Englandtown- ing; againstthe concentrated to power in meeting politicaldemocracy. In- of wealthin propaganda forreal and deed in mediaevalAfrica,just this freedom thepress. doesnotseem of It development carriedout in the impossible establish was to gradually such village council,whereevery family littleislandsof industrial democracy was represented, whereeconomic and socializedwealth,clustered and for and actionwas controlled guidedas defense and morecomplete economic This was autonomy, well as social and political. for eventhough a season, of thebasic communalism theAfrican theycontinue be surrounded an to by tribewhich slave tradeand colo- ocean of monarchs the and by the annial imperialism killed. of archists present industry. The newconsumers' group willfirst THE BLACK CONSUMER essay to understand real and esthe sentialneedsof its members, to and RightheretheAmerican Negrohas these supply needsby goodsand serv- his opportunity. Bunchesays,"No As ices at a reasonable price.Beginning effective has ever been made of use as merely an intelligent distributing the numerical of strength the Negro unit,it can buy at wholesale without population, of its economic nor imretail profit, without risk of unsold portance in labor and consuming and rent. power." The Negro is primarily stocks,useless advertising a attack upon this by consumer thesensethathisplaceas The inevitable in modern businessmethods, news- a producer the industrial by in process and paperpropaganda evenorganized lacks powerand income.He is disviolencecan be coun- franchised and purchased but largelyas a producer unitsforwholesale not as a consumer. teredby uniting he Moreover, still on buying a widerscale, and finally has a remnant his political of power, and wide and as Johnson by cooperative production thatis growing shows, planningof servicesin lines where notonlyin theNorth evenin the but monopoly permits. in addition thathis South.He has to It will be a hardfight, its suc- economic and as poweras consumer, one on cessdepends, theonehand,on how whocan buy goodswithsomediscre-

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tionas to whatgoodshe buys.It may 215 between 1876 and 1880to 10,000 truly said thathis discretion not between1931 and 1935 shows that be is largebut it does exist, is if and it maybe ability there it will act. In addition to mentalabilitythereis demade the basis of a new instrument of democratic control over industry.manded an extraordinary moral Duringthe days of economic strength,-the to strength endure disequicrimination not becomediscourand librium when under capitalist the system, wealth fastaccumulating was and aged; to face almostuniversaldiswhile far from and being equitablydis- paragement keep one's soul; and to sacrifice in for an ideal whichthe tributed, was going much yet larger proportion than ever beforeto the present generation hardly fulwill see whitelaboring This is an unusualdemand classes,the American filled. and Negro a working coulddepend no one can say off-hand as whether class or uponincreasing generation Ameriof wagefor himself; and not the present thewhite is philanthropic attitude made can Negroes equal to it. But there contribution toward economic his that if the high and is reasonto believe, social salvation.Today this is not emotional content the Negrosoul of true. Philanthropy for educational could once be guided into channels and socialuplift beingincreasinglythatpromise is success, endmight the be curtailed;low wage and unemploy- accomplished. mentamongwhiteworkers wide- Despite a low generallevel of inis spread; the capitalisticsystemhas comeNegroes probably spendat least been widelymodified government hundred fifty one and million by dollars interference control and under and in spite a month ordinary circumstances of powerful faces without andthey inan erawhen live reaction, gradually doubtfundamental transformation. economicrevolution substituting is The cultural differentiation as among the consumer the decisive voice in American Negroeshas considerablyindustry, rather thantheall-powerful outstripped economic the controller production the past. of differences, of which thisgroup sets in asideas unusual Already the Negrogroupthe conand at thesametimeopenspossibili- sumer interest dominant. social is His tiesforinstitutional development therefore, almostenare and institutions, of changes greatimportance. Funda- tirelythe institutions consumers of mentalin such changewouldbe the and it is precisely alongthe developbuilding of new economic up of institu- ment theseinstitutions he can that tionssuited minority to with- movein generalaccordance groups withthe out wide economicdifferences and economic ofhistimeand development withdistinct cultural as possibilities, of the larger whitegroupand also in shownby the increasing number of this way evolve unified organization college graduatesamongthem,the forhis owneconomic salvation. but varying persistent of The factis, as the Censusof 1930 development a literature expression of and of a shows,that thereis almostno need art. Negro-American thata modern grouphas, whichNeThe factthatthenumber Negro gro workers of alreadytrainedand at has collegegraduates increased from work, notable to satisfy. are Already

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Negroes can raise their own food, miles away, and carpentersand their mechanics fashion wouldhave to be concenbuild theirown homes, of a do trated ownshoes, and guaranteed sufficiency their mend ownclothes, All and raise steady employment. this would repairwork, muchof their and planning particulike tobaccoand call forcareful someraw materials of of cotton.A simpletransfer Negro larly,such an organization conunemployas with only such additional sumers wouldeliminate workers, skills as can easily be learnedin a ment, risk and profit. Demand, mustprecede and certain, would enable them to organized few months, of and own the production transportation maketheir owncloth, weavetheir must their ownmeat,pre- goods.The wasteof advertising shoes,slaughter between The install be eliminated. difference homes, for pare furniture their pricemustdismake theirown actualcostand selling electrical appliances, cigarsand cigarettes. appear,doingaway withexploitation of is and direction easy ob- of laborwhich the source profit. Appropriate of All this wouldbe a realization and tainabletechnique capital,would led in to enable Negroesfurther take over democracy industry, by conand extending sumersorganizations the wholeof theirretaildistribution, Is a to raise,cut,mineand manufacture to plannedproduction. thereany of proportion the basic reasonto doubtthatsuchdemocracy considerable couldevolve Negroes American ownmanu- among to rawmaterial, mantheir in to thenecessary leadership technique, facturing plants,to processfoods, social institutions to raw necessary materials, in- and the necessary import the and organize Processes which wouldso guide vent and build machines. foundanatural resources, massesthat a' new economic and monopolized to theymustcontinue buy,but they tion couldbe laid fora groupwhich and with could buy themon just as advanta- is todaythreatened poverty if their competitors social subordination? geous termsas and they boughtin large quantities SEGREGATION thempaid cash,insteadof enslaving a degree,but not completely, selveswithwhiteusury.Large num- To The of as working min- thisis a program segregation. Negroes bersofother asin important groupis and trans- consumer ers, laborersin industry are We be group. could without difficulty pectsa self-segregated portation realargelywithout industries now segregated to transferred productive and power to designed caterto Negroconsumers.son. Let us put reason Nothingis of The matter skillin suchindustriesbeneaththe segregation. than discouraging to see as is notas important in thepastwith moreutterly NeAmerican industrial operations massed and the mass of intelligent and run,at hide,scuttle groesdivide, standardized. unitedopen when the are there difficulties very moment doubt, Without wouldrevealto the world The inthewayofthis program. Negro mass effort of and ability, genius black The mouths thepower, is population scattered. do feed folk.Englishmen notdie of shame might whichthe Negrofarmers with Englishare of ifthey askedtowork of mightbe hundreds thousands

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of faith theability Ameriin men forthe good of England.They without themselves thatthegoodofEngland can Negroesto extricate evenassume their present plight. Our former is thegoodofall men, thatis often from and if not alwaystrue.Most menact in panacea emphasizedby Booker T. of was separategroups, and races; Washington flight class from nations, the with idea ofescapand humanunitywill not leap at a massin wealth the masses boundfrom individual humanity, ing the masses or ruling to powerplacedin thehandsof but from to neighborhood nation, to through those with largerincome.My own internation typeand stock. to of panacea of earlierdays was flight racial economic We are facing opmass,through developthe in portunity the UnitedStatestoday. class from Thereare at present Farmsecurity mentof a TalentedTenth; but the 31 of of was in projects 13 Southern statesopento power thisaristocracy talent to lie in its knowledge character, and 1700 Negro families. There are 14 power.The Negrohousing projects costing nearly and not in its economic problem whichI did not thenattack 30 million and housing dollars 5,750 and families alreadyoccupied. There are was that of leadership authority within whichby implicathe group, 15 other projects occupied whites by to and Negroes, housing and 1200Negro tion left controls wealth-a conof families a proportional offorty tingency whichI neverdreamed. at cost trend of millions. moreNegroprojects Six are But nowthewholeeconomic theworld changed. has That massand under construction, nine with conunitefortheworld's salvatractsapproved, while financial as- classmust sistancehas been promised sev- tionis clear.We who have had least to inwealth, folcan enty-one othersand earmarked for classdifferentiation and indeedlead low in thenewtrend ninety-five others. it. Here is an unrivalled opportunity DEMOCRACY for consumers' cooperation among perhaps 200,000 Negroes. Creditunions, The discussion leadership of among homemortgages, farmers creditand AmericanNegroes has not usually even industrial capital are available been associatedwith a parallel disforNegroes the handsof the gov- cussionof democracy. at What Negroes ernment. if you will againstthe havemeant democracy theright Rail by is race segregation here involvedand to have theirwishesand needs concondoned, takeadvantage it by sideredin the generalsocial objects but of planting securecenters Negroco- of the nation.They have soughtto of operativeeffort and particularly attain this withpoliticalpowerand of economic power;to makeus spiritu- followed with vision economic a of this ally free initiative creation power for and in of through control capital. They other and widerfields, foreven- are nowforced consider buildand to the tuallybreaking downall segregationing-upof democracy democratic and based on coloror curlofhair. poweramongthemselves. This calls Have we thebrains do this? to fora new attempt reorganize to deHere in the past we have easily mocracy. landed into a morass of criticism, Democratic control the state or of

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of a group withoutforce,without we see in largeNorthern centers like power on the part of the cultured Chicago and New York, intelligent, classesto compel obedience the efficient the of Negroes conniving crime, with masseshas seldom succeeded yet gambling prostitution,order and and in to we all knowthatforce defeats itself. securecontrol the Negrovote and of Even a dictatorship theproletariat,gainplace and income black folk. of for designed hold the powersof the Their procedure not justified to is by thatexcellent well-trained and state in trustuntilthe people have thefact reachedsucha degree intelligence, of Negro officials thus oftenraised are and as efficiency socialmindedness to to power. The pricepaid is deliberate be able to conduct government, a may surrender anyattempt acculturaof at degenerate into the tyrannyof a tionof the mass,in exchange infor clique. This is what one fearstoday creasedincome among few. the in Russia.We are used to seeingthe Yet American Negroesmustknow or forceof a singletyrant the force thatthe advanceof theNegropeople of an aristocracy into degenerate re- since emancipation been the exhas garding stateas existing the solelyfor traordinary ineducation, success techthem. expect see the samedis- nique and character We to amonga small aster overtake totalitarian the state. numberof Negroes and that the Can all this be avoided? Can ten emergence these exceptional of men million American Negroes by cul- has been largely matter chance; led a of turedclasses numbering than a that theirtriumph less provesthat down million, achieve efficient voluntary among mass,tentimes and numthe their democracy without force, without po- berwith equal ability couldbe discovlice power, without domination eredand developed, sustained the of if effort wealthand capital? and sacrifice intelligence put and were Most Negroesdo not believethat to thistask.That on the contrary tothiscan be done.Theynotonlyshare day poverty, and crimeare sickness American publicopinion distrustingchokingthe paths to Negro uplift, in the inherent ability of the Negro and thatsalvation the Negrorace of group, theysee no way in which is to comeby plannedand sustained but the present classeswho have proven efforts openwaysofdevelopment to to and efficiency can thosewhonowform unrisen their intelligence the mass gain leadership over theirown peo- oftheNegrogroup. ple. On thecontrary feardesper- It is to be admitted thiswillbe they that of ately a vulgarization emerging a real battle.There are chancesof with failure, culture but there are also splendid among them, contact by the ignorantand anti-socialmass. chances of success. In the African This fear has been accentuated by communal ties of familyand group, recent radical agitation; unwashed blood,of mother and child,of group andunshaven have made the groupleaderdemagogues scared relationship, and brow-beaten the culturedNe- ship strong, even if not always toIn them thattheir wardthe highest groes;have convinced culture. the case can group among leadership onlybe secured through of the more artificial this It that American Negroes, thereare sources demagoguery. is for reason

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of memories modern in We of strength common times. have a chancehere threats to teach industrial in sufferingthepast; inpresent and culturaldein and ofdegradation extinction; com- mocracy a world needs thatbitterly to and monambitions ideals,in emula- it. to tion and the determination prove When conrealandopendemocratic but trol is intelligent Here in subtle abilityand desert. to enough selectof of real ways the communalism the its ownaccordon thewholethe best, to clan can be transferred the most courageous, African most expert and implementedscholarly group, NegroAmerican then leadership, theproblem accomplishidealsofhuman byhigher the within Negrogroup of democracy and culthe mentthrough education is solvedand by thatsametokenthe have arisenand may furturewhich Negroesenof possibility American contactof black therarise through and intoworlddemocracy taktering The emoworld. with modern folk the to place according Negro, ing theirrightful tionalwealthof theAmerican and power is also the nascentart in song,dance, and their knowledge ladder sure.Herethenis theeconomic not dramacan all be applied, to simachievNegro, the bywhich American but ply amusethewhiteaudience, to can inspireand directthe actingNegro ing new social institutions, move world into with modern the I no groupitself. can conceive more paripassu nor crusadein a newheavenand a newearth. magnificent promising