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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1921)
The Monitor A Natlomkl Weakly Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of Colored l marl Pens Public’,ed Every Thursday at Omaha. Nebraska, by The Monitor I'ub llablna Company. Entered as Second-Class Mail Matter July 2, 1915. at the Costofflee at Omaha. Neb., under the Act of Maj-cb S. 1979. THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS. Editor. Georgs H. W. Bullock, Circulation Manager and Associate Editor. TRAGO T. MCWILLIAMS, Associate Editor, Lincoln, Neb. SUBSCRIPTION RATES, *2.00 A YEAR: *1.25 6 MONTHS: 75c 3 MONTHS Advertising Rates. 78 cents an Inch per Issue. Address, The Monitor, 201 knfflr Block, Omaha, .Neb. Telephone Douglas 3224. V-S . . (ARTICLE XIV. CONSTITUTION OF THE 3f UNITED STATES. X Citizenship Rights Not to Be Abridged. jt, 1. AU persons born or naturalized in the United States, ;|; and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the '}• • > United States and of the State wherein they reside. No X state shall make or enforce any law w hich shall abridge the $ ;; privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor ;j; ;; shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or prop '! erty without due process of law, nor deny to any person $ ! I within its iurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, v X “AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MONITOR” \V TE commend a careful reading of W an interesting communication from the Colored Ministerial Alliance published in this issue. It is elicited by our editorial of last week entitled "Is It a Sop to Caesar?” In that editorial we asked what the reverend | gentlemen meant by “the unwarranted , mingling of the races on such levels as are common in such institutions?" This “Open Letter ■ to The Monitor” purports to be a reply to our simple i question. We can safely leave it to) the judgment of our readers as to how fully and fairly our question has been answered. The wounded bird always flutters. The reverend gentlemen ac cuse us of taking them to task because we ask them a few “pertinent ques tions.” Direct questions have a very disturbing effect upon some persons. It will be illuminating to our readers to be officially informed by the Minis terial Alliance, to quote the exact language of their “Open Letter,” that “We are not so afraid of that buga boo called segregation as to rob our selves of manhood, or rob our people of valuable benefits that may be de rived from working along certain lines simply because some one jumps up and yells “Boo, Segregation.” The editor of The Monitor has heard these words before, not in the Ministerial Alliance, to which he has not the honor to belong, but from a distin guished member of that organization. Not its Caesar, of course, for has not the M. A. declared that it “knows no Caesar, black or white” ? The Monitor did not brand or even suggest that the members of the Min isterial Alliance were “traitors to the best interests of the race.” We simply asked questions which seem to have seriously disturbed that august body. Else why this labored defense and the introduction of issues not raised by us ? Is it a case of “the wicked fleeth, when none pursueth?” But, there now, we are asking more questions. Well, be sure to read the “Open Let ter” and draw your own conclusions, for “we dislike controversy.” THOMAS REESE WHEN Thomas Reese departed this life Omaha lost one of its best citizens. A quiet, unobtrusive gentle man, he made his influence for good felt wherever he went. He was a mechanic of the first rank, and took • special pride in his work. The show windows of Browning King & Co., and of the Thomas Fry Shoe company, the interior finishing of the handsome Kountze Memorial Lutheran church and similar buildings show his skill as a finisher and master mechanic. He was a man of wide reading and culture and whenever he spoke he had a message worth hearing. By his manliness and frank outspokenness for principle and things which he held sacred and fundamental he won the respect of all manly men with whom he came in contact. Reared in the Anglican communion he was loyal to his religious convictions and was well read in the doctrine and history of his church. As a Bible student he took high rank. And what counts most he loved to render service to his neigh bors, to his community and to his church. The race everywhere needs more men of the type of Thomas Reese, modest, manly, industrious, self-respecting and useful who love their fellow men. May others arise to take up the torch which has fallen from his hand, as he answered the Masters’ call to enter into rest. “JIM-CROWING IN OMAHA” rIAT the eyes of the country are upon Omaha and our brethren in other sections are taking note of what we are doing here is evidenced by a rather suggestive editorial in'our ab'e contemporary, The Advocate of Port land, Oregon. The editorial bears the caption “Jim-Crowing in Omaha,” and ■ays: "Colored people in Omaha, Neb., asked for a.jim-crow Y. M. C. A. and a jim-crow Y. W. C. A., and they got them. But they are not asking for a jim-crow school, but it looks as though they are going to get it, regardless of the fact that they are fighting against it with all their might. The fact they have the two jim-crow "YV by their own request, the whites have the best of the argument. Colored people in other parts of the counti , should profit by the experience of the people in Omaha.” The Advocate is mistaken in one particular. Omaha has not vet se cured a branch of the Y. M. C. A. for colored people. We have a Y. W. C. A. which is supplying a long-felt need. Doubtless a branch of the Y. M. C. A. would be as helpful to our young men and boys as the Y. W. C. A. is to our girls. From The Monitor's viewpoint, it would be much better if our much vaunted Christianity and democracy were broad enough and ideal enough to embrace all classes of American citizens in the institutions which it claims as its own. Since, however, this is not true, it seems best as practical measure to accept, under pro test, if you please, such advantages as may lie secured from separate insti tutions. At the same time, there is to be recognized the danger of prece dents. It is easy to argue, althougl the argument is fallacious, that il separate social and eleemosynary in stitutions are beneficial, that se pa rati and distinct civil and community in tere.-ts for the races are advantage ous. The Advocate is right in point ing out that “jim crowing" canno very consistently ire requested on om hand and fought on the other. The fact ought not be lost sight of. Wi can assure our Pacific coast contem porary, however, that Omaha will no have “jim crow schools.” Semi-publii institutions like “Y’s,” lodges churches and like voluntary associa/ tions differ radically and fundament ally from public educational institu tions, parks, etc., which are supportei by taxes levied upon all citizens. EXIT WOODROW— ENTERS WARRE> \V/rOODROW Wilson retires frorr ” the presidency of the Unitet States - as one of the most pathetii figures in history. His successor Warren G. Harding, enters upon this high office with the sincere prayers of millions that he may have the wis dom and courage to meet the tremend ous issues, domestic and international facing this government. A GOOD PRECEDENT rPHK action taken hv the actors oi New York City in the Gilpin cast shows clearly the better sentiment oi the country. It is a good precedent. “This morning gives promise of a glo rious day” when men and women wfil not be denied the recognition to which they are entitled because of race, creed or color. All honor to the members of the theatrical profession who had the courage to stand for the right. TAKE I P THE BLACK MAN'S BURDEN TAKE up the Black Man’s burden— “Send forth the best ye breed,” To judge with righteous jcdgment The Black Man’s work and need, To set down naught in malice, In hate or prejudice, To teil the truth about him, To paint him as he is. Take up the Black Man’s burden, Ye of the bold and strong, And m'.-fht make right as only It does no weak race wrong; When yours—his chances equal, Give him the fairest test, Then, “Hands Off.” be your motto And lie will do the rest. Take up the Black Man’s burden. Don’t curse him in advance, He cannot lift a White Man’s load Without a White Man’s chance Without a White Man’s chance; Shut out from mill and worshop From counting-room and store, By caste and labor unions, You close Industry’s door. Take up the Black Man’s burden, Don’t crush him with his load; Nor heap it up in courses By scoff and jeers bestowed— The haughty Anglo-Saxon Was savage and untaught— A thousand years of freedom A wondrous change has wrought! ! Take up the Black Man’s burden, Black men of every clime, What though your cross be heavy, Your sun, but darkly shine, Stoop with a freeman’s ardor, Lift high a freeman's head, ] Stand with a freeman’s firmness, March with a freeman’s tread. Take up the Black Man’s burden, “Send forth the best ye breed,” To serve as types of progress, To teach, to pray, to plead. Let the glory of your people Be the making of great men, To lifting of the lowly To noble thought and aim. [ Take up the Black Man’s burden, Black freeman! stand alone, If need be! Gird your armor, For conflicts yet to come; ' When weighed be not found wanting, But find or make a way To honor, fame and fortune, To God and destiny. —J. Dallas Bowser. WHAT THE EDITORS SAY I —— The following press comments on the Gilpin case will show a trend of right sentiment which will be gratify ing to our readers: RECOGNIZE ARTISTIC ABILITY Charles S. Gilpin, the Negro actoi whose genius has given the “Emperor Jones” a deseived success, is undoubt edly one of the ilramatic discoveries I of the year. Some of the members of .he Drama League appear to have ob jected, on account of Mr. Gilpin’s color, to inviting him to their annual I banquet, at which distinguished act | urs are honored guests. Several of the intended guests have thereupon announced that they won’t attend if Gilpin isn’t asked. The Drama League protests that it is being misrepre sented. It can answer the charges ef I fectively by giving Mr. Gilpin the rec ognition that his artistic abilities, which are far above those common in his own or any other race demand.- - The Globe and Commercial Advertiser. NO COLOR LINE ON THE STAGE The tributes which white men have paid to the military genius and states manship of Toussaint L’Ouvertur", to the executive ability and powers oi eloquence of Booker T. Washington, and to the quaint and plaintive beauty of Ike poems of Paul Lawrence Dun bar, all liear witness to the fact thal in the realm of genius the color lin< disappears. Nowhere should, this principle In applied more strictly than to tht American stage. For in a very tru( sense the drama is one of the most democratic of our American institu ■ tions. As nowhere else, an artist .1 judged behind the footlights on sheei i merit alone. As pitilessly as a erow< in the Roman Coliseum, the plavgoinj . public sits in judgment, ready to tun ■ down disapproving thumbs for ever) , failure,-ready to acclaim every sue . cess. This democratic characteristic th< .-tage must retain unless it would de I liberately forfeit its right to respect if not its right to continued publii support. When the stage ceases t< recognize genius as genius and to re ward it as such, it wili have lost . characteristic which, perhaps ahovi all others, makes it the power it is ii the life of America today. The protesting members of th< Drama League have done well not t< lose sight of this salient fact. In de manding justice for Charles Gilpii they have but demanded justice foi themselves and for the art to whicl they have devoted their lives.—Iron the Evening Mail. DINING WITH >1R. GILPIN There seems no possible excuse foi the Drama League’s treatment of Mr Charles Gilpin, the distinguishec Negro actor, as an impossible gues: at a dinner to the notable figures oi the season’s plays. The occasion war to he a public mark of honor to out standing actors, actresses, playwrights and pioducers. To draw the color line in respect to such an event is to insult the artistic integrity of every par ticipant. The protest of the prominent stage men and women against the Drams League’s action was prompt and te, the point. It expressed well the pre vailing sentiment of true artists. Art knows no limitations of race or nation. It is the one universal S'lech. Its creators, in every matter touching their art, belong to one fraternity. To suggest any other nile is to suggest treachery to every high and generous item in the artist’s creed. We. hope the critics of our stage will note the episode. The prompt protest of these actors and actresses was a fine gesture, fitly expressing the faith of true-hearted and generous people. The result should be to trans form the Drama League’s occasion into a dinner in honor of Mr. Gilpin. The whole community will be glad for any amends that can be made to thts I admirable artist for a stupid action utterly unrepresentative of the stage or its public.—From The Tribune. THE DRAMA LEAGUE AND A NEgRO There is not the slightest obligation legal or moral, not even a tradition, to bind the Drama League to invite C. S. Gilpin, a Negro, to its annual banquet, March 6. On the other hand, members who stay away themselves because they feel that an actor who has made a big hit in a big success is the victim of mere race discrimination are wholly tigh* in their course. The invitation is discretionary with the league or a ma jority of its members. Rebuking the decision arrived at is discretionary with the minority. However, we think that the world : of art, of music and of the stage will sooner or later have to make up its j mind,to fellowship colored persons of j marked proficiency. There may or ; i may not be sufficient basis for the | theory that the Negro will never excel ' in mathematics, in the exact sciences ! , or in chess playing. But in acting, in j oratory, in music and in painting 01 | ! sculpture, if he can master the tech- j j nique of the latter two, the once j enslaved race does offer something i tempermanetally distinctive, and coni- | pellmg recognition. Mr. Gilpin’s o«n statement with reference to the issue so hotly dis cussed by the Drama League people is entirely temperat* and self-respecting. I He says: ‘‘I am honesth striving to present my art rather than myself to the pub lic. * • • I have no right to pose as an object of compassion. * • • Against those who do not care to sit in the same dining roon with me, I have no complaint. This only will I say: Thus j far in the world's history no race or ] profession has ever been permanently ] prevented from winning an equality i rating for itself.’’ Neither Booker T. Washington no' j Frederick Dougla s, nor even the ere- j ator of D’Artagnan and the Count of Monte Cristo, th< grandson of a Santo Domingo Negro woman, could have put more of personal dignity into an analysis of such a situation. But Alexander Dumas, developing in the j broader and more catholic atmosphere j of a Latin country, had no occasion lor such an apology.—From The Brooklyn Eagle. --| Letters From Our Readers IS IT A SOI* TO CAESAR7 An Open Letter to The Monitor Dear Sir: Under the above caption The Monitor in its issue of February 24 attempts to take The Ministerial Alliance to task for its stand against the licensing of the proposed cabaret at 2420 Lake street. If the editor of The Monitor had I been at the meeting and had heard | the reports of certain occurrences that are taking place among certain ele ments in both races—reports given by men who are not critics of our race but who to the contrary have the boat interests of the race at heart—men who related these incidents in such a way that anyone hearing would be compelled to believe their reports, fierhaps he would not have drawn the hasty and unwarranted conclusion ex ; pressed interrogatively in the aliove caption. I The Ministerial Alliance is on rec ord as discouraging any such loose re lations of the lower strata of the races in Omaha as is known by every ob serving person do exist. It is opposed to such conditions because in them the 1 seeds are sown which will result in such outbreaks as the one all too fresh i in our minds today, and for which we all must suffer. 1 The Ministerial Alliance knows no Caesar, Black or White. And it is to be regretted that any man or group of men who chance to have the cour age to express views differing from i a certain prescribed course, must be branded as traitors to the best in terests of the race. We dislike controversy. But inas much as certain issues are raised and such unfair charges are placed against us, we feel it our duty to accept the challenge. We are not go afraid of that buga boo called segregation as to rob our selves of manhood, or rob our people of valuable benefits that may be de rived from working along certain lfnes simply because some one jumps up and veils, ‘‘Boo, Segregation.” We would at least be consistent. We would not endorse a Colored Y. M. C. A. and denounce a Colored Y. W. C. A. Furthermore, since the gauntlet is laid down, allow us to say that we view with no little anxiety the too prevalent manner in which per on., ->1 both races are being assailed by wicked insinuations and innuendoes merely because their point of view happens to differ from certain per sons who seem to think theirs is the only proper view. Such procedure tends toward disunion rather than union. It is demoralising rather than moralizing. It is lamentably unfair, unmanly and unjust to wuntonly im pugn the motives of any person or persons and charge them with base purposes merely upon suspicions. Suspicions, however strong, are not facts and . Iiould never lie treated as such. We are therefore opposed to any movement or utterances which may drive from us any group who are sin cerely disposed to l>e our benefactors by such unfair means. By order of the Ministerial Alliance, J. P. JACKSON, President. RUSSEL TAYLOR, Recording Secretary. 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