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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 1915)
The Monitor A Weekly Newspaper devoted to the civic, social and religious interests of the Colored People of Omaha and vicinity, with the desire to contribute something to the general good and upbuilding of the community. Published Every Saturday. Entered as Second-Class Mail Matter July 2, 1915, at the Post office at Omaha, Neb., under the act of March 3, 1879. THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor and Publisher. Lucille Skaggs Edwards, William Garnett Haynes and Ellsworth W. Pryor, Associate Editors. Joseph LaCour, Jr„ Advertising and Circulation Manager. • SUBSCRIPTION RATES, 11.00 per year. Advertising rates, 50 cents an inch per issue. Address, The Monitor, 1119 North Twenty-first street, Omaha. WILL OMAHA PERMIT IT7 We had hoped that after the city authorities had refused to permit the booking of “The Birth of a Nation” as an attraction at the city-owned audi torium, upon the showing that its ex hibition was being strongly resented by colored Americans and their white friends throughout the nation, no ef fort would be made upon the part of any of the play houses in the city to bring it here. We had hoped soi, but at the same time we were not over sanguine that our hopes would be realized. For this reason we have brought before our readers from time to time information dealing with op position to this photo play in other parts of the country. It was with de sign that this was done. The Moni tor prides itself upon the fact that it is being read by many of the best men and women of both races in this city—by men and women of influ encee and standing, whose good opinion we prize, and upon whose intelligent and hearty co-operation we must and do depend for that which makes for good in the com munity. We know, therefore, that they are in a measure at least ad vised of how distasteful this great picture play is to us as a people, and will resent its presentation. Indeed it was one of our readers of the other race who took the pains to call our attention to the fact that “The Birth of a Nation” had been booked by the Brandeis theater, and added that its presentation here should be prevented. Lest it may be thought that the colored people are too sensitive about this photo play, we have pub lished on the front page of this is sue an editorial from The Kansas City Times, which cannot justly be charged with being biased on behalf of the colored American, and the find ing of the Ohio State Board of Cen sors, which was given after careful consideration of the whole case. We submit this evidence first to the board of censors, then to the authorities, and then to fair-minded people of our city and ask, “Should •The Birth of a Nation’ be shown here?” WILL OMAHA PERMIT IT? IT CAN BE DONE. We suggested that the colored peo ple of this community pay for the Old Folks’ home, thereby demonstrat ing our ability to do something for ourselves. We agreed to receive ac knowledgments in our columns and pay over to the treasurer of the home any contributions, large or small, sent to us for that purpose. It therefore gives us pleasure to state that we have received a letter from Mr. E. W. Pryor endorsing our propo sition and enclosing his check for $5 to start this fund. Send in your contributions for the Old Folks’ home. Let us pay for it by Christmas. It can be done. Let us do it. The fund starts with $5. The fund is started. Watch it grow. -o Efficiency is the keynote of the day. Unless our people take every op portunity which presents itself to make ourselves proficient and effici ent in every occupation which gives us honorable and honest employment, we will lose out. Competition in all lines is intense and we must measure up to our competitors. We must be able to deliver the goods. Never be satisfied with mediocrity; strive to be the best in your line. -o In reading over our social columns have you ever noticed how large a place dancing and card parties holds in our life? Would it not be well to do a little more along intellectual, artistic, sociological and musical lines? There is plenty of ability among us going to seed. Amusement, amusements and recreation have their legitimate place in every hu man life;, but here, as elsewhere, there should be symmetry and proportion. WILL OMAHA PERMIT DIXON’S PHOTO PLAY? (Continued from first page.) times as to cause Negroes to be lynched, making the lynching day a day of celebration. The same spirit prompted masked men to take Leo M. Frank from the custody of the law and execute him. Filins which present scenes of this character in a manner which to the onlooker seems to be justified cannot fail to be harmful. "It is also true that there are a few scenes on the end of the last reel of said film that show the colored race in a favorable light. But to my mind, after considering all that has gone before, it is similar to forcing a very nauseating concoction down the throat of a man and then giving him a grain of sugar to take the taste out of his mouth. “The objectionable features above described, including the plot, scenes and subtitles, are so interwoven throughout the entire film that I consider it impossible to eliminate said objectionable matter.” It this be true, will Omaha permit Dixon’s photo play? What He Thinks Remarkable. "Do you think there is anything remarkable in love at first sight?” asked the romantic youth. “Not at all!” answered the cynic. "It’s when people have been looking at each other for four or five years that it becomes remarkable." — Pearson’s Weekly. OLD FOLKS’ HOME FUND. No one is authorized to solicit for this fund. Contributions must be sent or brought to the office of The Moni tor. A receipt on a printed form will be given to each contributor. His name and the amount will be pub lished in our columns. As soon as $100 is received it will be turned over to the treasurer of the Negro Women’s Christian association to be paid on the property, and a copy of the receipt from the treasurer and from the real estate agent to whom payment is made will be published in this paper. Acknowlelgments. Nov. 1., E. W. Pryor.$5.00 APPROVES PLAN. Omaha, Neb., Nov. 1, 1915. Editor Monitor: I heartily approve of your sugges tion that we, the colored people of this community, pay for the Old Folks’ home, which the Negro Wom en’s Christian association is pur chasing on Pinkney stret. It gives me pleasure to inclose herewith my check for $5 to apply on this fund. Respectfully yours, E. W. PRYOR. j Attend Meeting at i Grove i M. E. Church j 3:30 p. m. j Sunday, j November 7 to protest against “Birth of Nation” ■ | Everybody Come! I There’s One Coffee Sold in Omaha that never fails to satisfy. It pos sesses full strength, and is there fore economical. 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