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Race antipathies, wherever you go in the world, continue to play a universal part in the everyday life we live. Germans disliking Frenchmen; Frenchmen having
antipathy for Spaniards; the Irish and English separated not just by way of a channel but race prejudice. Ancient Greeks considering all other people barbarians, Jews characterizing those not Jewish as Gentiles (pronouncing it with a frown and injecting a lofty scorn). Frequently we can find people of two or more different races (though they may live side by side) generation after generation (each preserving its own language, manners, customs and cherishing its own haughtiness) looking with disdain upon even the virtues of its neighbor. Rarely has any separate, distinct race of people ever blended completely, into one nationality with other races of people. The persistence of Anglo-Saxon, Scotch, Irish, and Welsh types of character existing side by side for centuries under one common government, is a case in point.
NATIONAL ASSIMILATION
America is filled with such great blend of different people living together through a process of assimilation
and unification via forces at work---a common language, public schools, newspapers, free intercourse, serving to destroy (except as reminiscence and a bit of race sentiment) all distinctions based upon that of
previous nationality. Were it not for the tides of immigration emptying upon our shores vast numbers of people, from different nations of this world, the day might have been predicted with some degree of certainty
everyone living in these United States of America all becoming substantially as one (Americans), race lines separating people into any of their original national classes---Germans, Irish, Scandinavians, Poles,
Russians, Americans---disappearing and as one (Americans) being perhaps just divided into classes more along other and artificial lines, ---wealth, culture, occupation, ---and not upon lines to do with race.
A NOTABLE EXCEPTION
Jim Crow Days marked an exception to this process as the persistence
of a race line that literally separated the Negro from the Caucasian race via outbreak of a disease (Negrophobia). As a general proposition Negroes (once more commonly called 'Colored') were classed by them selves from other races (by a
well-known, seemingly impassable gulf) and regarded not as simply Americans, but as Negroes. Negrophobia created a very well marked antipathy toward Negroes; at times it was slight or hardly perceptible, and then
other times (especially involving individual cases) symptoms disappeared all together. In general terms, on behalf of the Caucasian element of American life, existed strong, deep-seated prejudice against the Negro.
This prejudice was clearly a marked discrimination against Negroes as Negroes.
There is no well-defined Negrophobia nor is it fair saying it is a characteristic of America; yet, in some portions of America the unreasoning and unjust dislike displayed, by some from within the white element of society toward Negroes, amounted
practically to that of a sickness. This dislike was shown primarily, and in its most marked form, as social ostracism. Negroes were being practically banished from society of most Caucasians. While
intermarriage between all other constituent elements of American people remained common, exciting no comment (the Chinese scarcely offer an exception to this), intermarriage on part of any Negro with persons of the
white race was tabooed. Such alliance served to alienate Negroes from the white race. In some States laws altogether prohibited marriage between any Negro and those persons of the
white race while laws also set a seal of illegitimacy upon any offspring. There was practically no social intermingling of the Negro and Caucasian races allowed, period; Negroes were simply not invited
to social entertainment by most whites, only in exceptional cases were Negroes allowed to even sit at the same table of whites. Negroes did not frequent the same hotels nor occupy the same boarding
houses---ordinarily they did not live in the same quarter of the city occupied by whites.
Sale of a house to a Negro (in the North), even in a fashionable part of a city, would likely have caused an immediate decline in price.
There were once spots in many northern cities known as "Little Africa," with a sprinkle of 'low grade' whites living there. Everywhere throughout the South, and generally throughout the North, Negroes had separate
churches from whites, and were seldom seen in any considerable number within a white congregation; theatre or other place of entertainment, frequently in the North and universally in the South, they were kept
separated from other spectators.
TWO CURIOUS FEATURES
A couple of curious features worth noting; one, race antipathy (dealing with the relation between Colored and
Caucasian people) was confined almost exclusive to that of Caucasian people. Colored people have manifested a good deal of affection toward the white race.
CASTE AND CULTURE
The other fact, race antipathy was born chiefly of caste and culture and not a native instinct. In days of slavery, white and colored children mingled together in the most unrestrained freedom, and do so still today. It was very common for the master and mistress of a plantation to commit their children (while infants) to care of black nurses, who then had entire oversight of them and showed the most tender kind of affection. Children often would reciprocate this affection by seeming to cherish a stronger love for their black nurses than for their natural mothers. It was common to hear eminent Southern men, publicly and privately, speak rather boastingly of affection for they had for their "black mammy." Blood blending of the races in the South (fostered by slavery) would have, apparently, in the coarse of time, resulted in complete amalgamation (if left to the operation of natural laws).
COLOR LINE IN SCHOOLS
While at the North Negroes were admitted to public schools, colleges, and universities, more on terms of
equality with other students, it was hardly the case in the South, where doors of higher institutions (patronized by whites) were locked/barred against entrance of any person (however worthy) in whose veins
there was even a suspicion of colored blood. Public schools were divided into two distinct classes, one for whites and one for Negroes; even in sparely settled rural districts (where it was difficult just to
maintain a free school) this expensive, arbitrary distinction was kept up. In some Southern States separate coaches on the railroad trains were set apart for Negroes. Though Negroes paid the same fare and may have
been DRESSED WELL, INTELLIGENT, VIRTUOUS, CLEAN, POLITE, SENSITIVE, they were obliged to accept inferior accommodations, and often subjected to indignities and inconvenience on account of their color.
Prejudice against Negroes showed itself in practical exclusion from most desirable positions in business. A Negro could be a porter on a
train, but not a conductor; a fireman, possibly, but not and engineer; run a barber shop, but not a master carpenter; drive a hack (vehicle for hire) or keep a saloon, but not be a merchant; a watchman in a bank,
but not a bookkeeper or cashier. Though exceptions to what is here said, but the general statement remain true, Negroes were debarred from active participation in the most desirable and remunerative forms of
industry and that of business.
A noted exception to this general rule might have been found in a Negro's employment by the United States government with responsible positions
under Civil Service rules. In many of the departments at Washington there were Negro men and women who did secure their place by competitive examination; even here, however, color
served as a bar to appointment, and not infrequently, it was said, was an occasion for dismissal.
PRACTICALLY DISFRANCHISED
The Negro was made a citizen by the United States Constitution, entitled to all rights and privileges attached to that citizenship. The theory of American government is the right of every legally qualified voter to
participate in political affairs (vote and be voted for). That fundamental element which underlies American institutions is that right of majority to rule. The fact was as a curious anomaly that the Negro would
instead find himself disfranchised in a considerable portion of the South. This un-American dictum that embodied the political philosophy in many portions of America during those Jim Crow Days was, "This
is a white man's government." A plain and explicit repudiation of the Constitution, revolutionary denial of Americanism. Denial to a whole class of people the rights and privileges incident to manhood, simply on grounds of their color. Rights and privileges guaranteed by the most august political document in the world. By reason of prejudice Negroes suffered restriction, limitation, and
injustice in political matters that were not suffered by any other class of American citizens.
INJUSTICE
Dislike of Negroes because they were Negroes manifested itself also in certain portions of America in acts of injustice. It
has been said (and believed) that in many cases Negroes were convicted and punished for offenses against the law, offenses where a white man would have been either acquitted or more lightly punished. In some cases
the presumption appeared not that Negroes were innocent until proven guilty, but guilty (as charged), unless they could somehow establish their innocence. There were numerous cases of lynching (putting men to death
without a trail by a judge or jury), which are, perhaps, the most startling manifestation of the disease Negrophobia. Sure there are cases that have been very aggravating (where crimes of great enormity and
brutality have been committed) and the slow and sometimes tedious processes of law were very trying to the public patience; nevertheless, beyond question Negroes have suffered from lawlessness out of all proportion
to the crime committed, far beyond any other class of citizen.
Every man is entitled to a fair trail. No man should be lynched on suspicion. Lynching arose from the ashes of a ruthless and costly war that pitted brother against brother and father against son.
The Civil War left a trail of blood and bitterness that twisted its way through successive generations and set the stage for a frenzy of so called mob justice that killed thousands of men, women and children,
most of them black. And between the years 1880 and 1905, a period of twenty-five years, not one person was ever convicted of any crime associated with these killings. Lynchings are, in effect, the most extensive
series of unsolved murders in American history, very un-American.
SOME FRUITS OF PREJUDICE
Among unhappy results flowing from unreasoning prejudice---voicing itself in such opprobrious epithets as "niggers," "darkies," "coons," "bucks," "wenches,"--- placing a stigma upon an entire class of human beings, numbering millions of people; it failing to
recognize personal character or/and any individual merit. However TALENTED, CULTIVATED, REFINED, SENSITIVE or WORTHY a man or woman, colored blood doomed Negroes to ignominy, classifying them with that of outcast.
There was no doubt some positions of usefulness and honor Negroes could have filled, to which he was unable to aspire by reason of his color. Public sentiment against him, like an untimely frost, seemed to destroy
(even in its germ state) the noblest aspirations of his soul. Why should he study to become a scholar? Why should he strive after intellectual discipline and power? Why should he cultivate the graces? Why should he
resist temptation toward evil, seek to show a noble and Christian side, if all his best endeavors were to be met by sneer? Why should he strive to equal a white man in his virtues if that white man refuses him
recognition, denied him opportunities toward utilizing his own attainments? The great motive force of human progress is hope, the desire of achievement, and expectation of reward that would come from an earnest
and worthy effort. What, then, could have been expected of a race from which rewards were withheld, whose breast of hope was plucked out?
WOUNDED SENSIBILITIES
Discouragement is well nigh fatal to progress; there was on part of the sensitive and refined Negro a deep sense of
injury. He was not consulted in the choice of his race connections; he could not have removed the obstacles to his progress that his more fortunate white neighbor had put in the way; the Negro was largely helpless
in his being met by rebuff, insult, limitation and restriction. His best endeavors being treated with ridicule, and beholding of life's most cherished rewards bestowed upon men whom were clearly inferior in
everything except color. Negroes were left feeling deeply wounded and often times almost crushed.
THE REMEDY
In so far as the prejudice against the Negro resulting from his own ignorance, inferiority, barbarity----a sad heritage of
slavery----the only greatest remedies have been those resulting from education, industry, and civilization. There is hope in books. When the Negro has been able (through God's goodness and grace) to establish beyond
peradventure that he has the same fundamental qualities of his mind, same possibilities of culture, achieving scholarship and meeting any white man and others on their own ground (contending with them successfully
as a laborer, organizer, thinker, leader) he has gotten recognition that has always been accorded to strength.
Rising generations of godly Negroes must continue to avail themselves, taking the time to be holy, seeking those opportunities for education now
offered to them, becoming satisfied with nothing less than that of the broadest attainments possible, if they are to continue to wrest, from their neighbors recognition of their own manhood. It is true that
they will be respected, generally, in proportion to their real moral worth. As godly people, if they are honest, truthful, law-abiding, pure in life, self-restraining, charitable, generous, and just, will by many of
these such high qualities have little trouble, in a certain measure, toward continuing to enforce from their neighbors the recognition of the dignity of their character. The transforming power of Christianity can
do for anyone what no other force can possibly accomplish; just as far as the character of Jesus Christ is illustrated in ones own life, any man can continue to receive from other men recognition due (to all who
choose to walk in the spirit/image of God).
VIOLENCE TO BE AVOIDED
History seems to teach that no people have ever yet secured recognition of their rights in fullness and entirety who were
not willing, if need be, to fight for them. Justice sometimes waits on slaughter, and liberty on victory. It would have been inexpressibly sad (if the conclusion would have been forced upon us in this country of
liberty and enlightenment) had the Negro been compelled achieving his complete emancipation by force. No one should doubt his right to defend his person, his family, his home against any unlawful assault; and it may
have been unless had he not manifested at least the willingness to fight perhaps he would have never had much in the way of hope in his becoming absolutely free. We can hope (through prayer), however, that the
inherent justice of a godly Negro's claim to treatment belonging to manhood, fortified and emphasized by thrift, industry, and excellence of character, may continue to secure for him (without violence) that which
belongs to him as an American, as a citizen, as a child of God. It should in a Christian land.
Social equality is not a mere question of neither law nor compulsion, but of taste and inclination. The Negro has no right to demand, nor
concede, any claim for social consideration based upon any other than social merits. His political rights, however, he may claim under the Constitution, and right to earn a living and have reward of his labor he may
claim under an even higher law than the Constitution---the law of immutable right…
"What soever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
One of the most noticeable facts in regard to the relation of the Negro and Caucasian races has been the rare patience and self-control
exhibited by the Negroes under most exasperating circumstances. During days of slavery the Negro was, for the most part, obedient, trustworthy, and faithful; an insurrection was almost unheard-of, act of revenge
unknown. Here and there a slave, more resolute and adventurous than his fellows, escaped from slavery finding refuge in the North. During the American civil war, notwithstanding he generally understood
slavery hung in the balance, that the welfare of the slave was conditioned on the success of the Union arms, most Negroes did remain patiently on plantations, toiling for their absent masters, who were in the
Southern army, fighting to render slavery permanent, and by the Negro's tender solicitude for the white women and children entrusted to him, awakened the wonder of the South at their magnanimity and fidelity. The
Negroes have, in most instances, quietly submitted to the injustice and cruelty of mobs that have (on mere suspicion wrong-doing) put hundreds of Negroes to a cruel death, with only a mild protest Negroes had
allowed themselves to be robbed of their political rights and privileges.
GROWTH OF PUBLIC OPINION
In spite of all the obstacles since slavery and during those Jim Crow days, there has been steady growth of wealth,
culture, self-respect, and power among godly Negroes. With it has come a growing consciousness of wrongs they have suffered, and an increasing demand for recognition of their rights. Steady change has taken place in
many minds of thoughtful white people, North and South, regarding those rights. Privileges are cheerfully conceded these days which hundred fifty years ago would have been regarded impossible. Public sentiment
usually moves in right directions, with accelerated ratio, has these present days, without much in the way of any violence, conceded to Negroes every right and privilege of every kind of which they have been
deserving.
It is worthy of note that any continuance of unreasoning prejudice against Negroes would work injury not only to those Negroes but also those who
inflict such prejudice. Slavery was a curse to the master no less than to the slave. NO CLASS OF PEOPLE CAN CHERISH IRRATIONAL SENTIMENTS TOWARD ANOTHER WITHOUT THEMSELVES BEING THEREBY CORRUPTED. Since them
Jim Crow days the population and progress of Negroes in this country living as godly, free Americans, destined to increase in population and further progress at no distant day, will of necessity continue to exert an
influence of increasing potency upon the welfare and overall progress of America (with God's help). Any efforts toward keeping people down, due to oppression, will only count toward dragging those oppressors down as
well. With God's help, as Negroes continue their rise, socially, industrially, intellectually, religiously, politically, they will better be able to stimulate and help, if not compel, corresponding advancement in
all respects on the part of all their white fellow-citizens of even the 'lowest' grade or class. GOD HAS BLESSED AMERICA to be about solidarity, what affects one class must (of necessity) affect all classes.
Injustice will work disaster, while justice will only promote the public welfare of all.
Tiger Woods
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