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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1917)
THE AFRICAN ORIGIN OF THE GRECIAN CIVILIZATION (Continued From First Page) these two nations had held from very early times the most distinguished place in Greece, the one being Pelas gic, the other a Hellenic people, and the one having never quitted its orig inal seas, while the other had been ex cessively migratory.’ "The Hellenes,” wrote Prof. Boughton in the Arena some years ago, “were the Aryans first to be brought into contact with these sunburnt Hamites, who, let it be remembered, though classed as whites, were probably as strongly Nigritic as are the Afro-Americans.” “Greek art is not autochthonous,” said Thiersch some fifty years ago, “but was de rived from the Pelasgians, who, being blood relations of the Egyptians, un doubtedly brought the knowledge from Egypt.” “The aptitude for art among all nations of antiquity,” remarked Count de Gobineau a few years later, “was derived from an amalgamation with black races. The Egyptians, As syrians and Etruscans were nothing but half-breeds, mulattoes.” In the year 1884 Alexander Winchell, the fa mous American geologist, upset Americans with an article appearing in the North American Review. From it I quote the following: “The Pelas gic empire was at its meridian as early as 2500 B. C. This people came from the islands of the Aegean, and more remotely from Asia Minor. They were originally a branch of the sun burnt Hamitic stock that laid the basis of civilization in Canaan and Mesopotamia, destined later to be Semitized. Danaus and his daughters —that is, the fugitive “shepherds” from Egypt—sought refuge among their Hamitic kindred in the Pelopo nesus about 1700 B. C. Three hun dred years before this these Pelas gians had learned the art of weaving from Aryan immigrants. In time they occupied the whole of- Greece and Thessaly. Before 200 B. C. they es tablished themselves in Italy. Thus do we get a conception of a vast Ha mitic empire existing in prehistoric times, whose several nationalities were centered in Mesopotamia, Ca naan, Egypt, Northwestern Africa, Iberia, Greece, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia and Central Europe—an intellectual ethnic family, the first of the Adam ites to emerge into historic light, but with the records of its achievements buried in gloom almost as dense as that which covers the ruder popula tions that the Hamites everywhere displaced. To this family, chiefly, are to be traced the dark complexions of the nations and tribes still dwelling around the shores of the Medittera nean.” It was to be expected that such in painting and are of the utmost in terest to the world. The colors are almost as brilliant as when laid down more than three thousand years ago. Among these frescoes are numerous representations of the race whose civilization they represent. It was a race neither Aryan or Semitic, but African. The portraitures follow the Egyptian precedent and for the first time the mysterious Minoan and My ceanean people rise before us. The tint of the flesh is of a deep reddish brown and the limbs finely moulded. The profile of the face is pure and almost classically Greek. The hair is black and curling and the lips some what full, giving the entire physiog nomy a distinct African cast. In the women’s quarters the frescoes show them to be much fairer, the difference in complexion being due, probably to the seclusion of harem life. But in their countenances, too, remain those distinguishable features which link with the African race. You will pardon me, I trust, if oc casion is taken here to impress upon you the value of genuine archeologi cal evidence. Historians may write anything to reflect their vanity or their prejudices, but when the re mains of ancient civilizations rise out of the dust and sands and give the lie to their assertions there is noth ing more to be said. Egypt, Mesopo tamia, Phonecia, Greece, and Rome, have all been claimed for the Aryan, but the spade has unearthed stone that bears senitent witness to the fact that Africa has been the pioneer in the field of civilization. We wonder, then, why the historians continue to ignore these remains and persist in contin uing falsehood. There can be but one answer and that is racial vanity pre fers falsehood to truth and preju dice demands suppression rather than expression. Yet these frescoes of Crete need not be such a surprise to scholars and public after all. The ‘ very clasics themselves have more than hinted of the great part played by Africa in the development of Grecian civiliza tion. Let us revert to the myths and trace the descent of Minos and his progeny. You will recollect that the ancient heroes of Greece were di vided into the older and younger blanches, the former belonging to the house of Inachus, distinctly Hamitic, while the latter belonged to the race of Japetus, distinctly a mixture. (To he Continued) South Side Notes (Mrs. Lulu Thornton, Correspondent) The South Side Hustlers, with their president, Mr. Frank Fierson, spent a most enjoyable evening at the A. 0. U. W. Temple, 25th and M Sts., South Side, Monday evening, April 2, at a masquerade party. Prizes were awarded to Miss Lena Simms, repre senting Indian chief; and Mr. W. E. Fultz, of St. Joe, representing Mam ma, a little coal black rose. The en tertainment was a success from every point of view. First prize, one sack of flour; second prize, one ham. Chair man, L. W. Winston. Committee, Mrs. I W. Winston, Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Pierson, Mrs. Mattie Leftridge, Miss Frankie Jackson, Mrs. W. E. Fultz. Judges, Messrs. C. Mobely, P. Stearnes, 0. Moffett, Henry Hal sted. The Bethel Baptist Church held baptismal services last Sunday at the church, 29th and R. A crowded house witnessed the immersing of twelve persons. Little Miss Ruth Adams, of 4442 South 26th St., is spending her spring vacation with her aunt, Mrs. Gertrude James, on the North Side. The Allen Chapel A. M. E. Sunday School will hold their Easter services Sunday, April 8, at 3 o’clock. At 8 o’clock the choir will render special Easter music with a short program. Little Miss Amy Fisher is quite sick at the home of her mother, 5719 South 15th Street. The Bethel Baptist Mission met at the home of Mrs. J. Irvin, 31st and X streets, Thursday afternoon. The mission is sewing and working trying to help the more unfortunate. The young men of the South Side have organized a base ball team, known as the Cecillian Boys. Mr. Frank Gray, president; Robt. David, vice president; Roy Hilton, secretary; Lloyd Gray, manager. The boys have a good line up, their suits and are ready for action. Mrs. Eugene Hodges and children of Frankfort, Mo., arrived last Sun day to visit her mother, Mrs. Emma Fisher, of 15th and Berry Ave. A public installation of the offi cers for Clenlans Woman’s Club, and the O. N. E. Club was held at Peter son Hall Friday night, March 30. The cificers were installed by Mrs. Fan nie Russell. Mrs. Nora Gray took the O. N. E. Club into the state federa tion and gave the officers the state colors. The Clenlans Woman’s Club will meet Tuesday, April 10-17 with Mrs. Gertrude Ashby, 2111 Poppleton Ave., North Side. All members are urged to be present, as it is the first meet ing for the new officers. The Eureka West Council No. 9, of the Sons and Daughters of Jerusalem of the North Side, will give an enter tainment at the home of Mrs. V. Hill, 5310 South 27th street, Saturday night, April 7, 1917. The South Side Art Class met last Wednesday with Mrs. Frank Pierson, 3026 R street. Mrs. Velma Hill still serves excel lent Sunday dinners at her home, 6310 South 27th street. As the season for ice cream and other summer dishes comes she will add this to her din ners. -- Nine O’clock Coffee: at the RESIDENCE OF MRS. R. K. LAWRIE 114 North 43d Avenue Thursday Eve, April 12 Under the Management of the La dies’ Aid of St. John’s A. M. E. Church. Refreshments 35c Mrs. J. C. Parker, Chairman Rev. W. T. Osborne, Pastor. ... ■«- ..... BUY YOUR - SHOES, HATS AND FURNISHINGS M. 11 At a store where your trade is ap preciated and courteous treatment always given. Star Shoe Co. 1415 DOUGLAS 1 Door West Calumet Restaurant r- • . .. , SMOKE 1 Te Be Ce j THE BEST 5c CIGAR j ....• ••• « J. A. Edhotm E. W. Sherman Standard Laundry 24th, Near Lake Street Phone Webster 130 r—. ««»■■■ . . »■■»■■«"« —t JORDAN’S RENTING PARLOR Full Dress, Tuxedo and Black Suits supplied for all occasions. Waiters’ second hand uniforms bought and sold. Douglas 8368 940 North 24th | . T ~ - ■ I . 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