Greetings to Bandung rae Afro-Asian Conference Represents a Turning reedo Point in World Affairs “Where one is enslaved, all are in chains!” By -PAUL ROBESON CW I SHOULD HAVE LOVED TO BE AT BANDUNG! In this Indonesian city for the week beginning April 18 the hopes of mankind were centered. Of course, the State Depart- APRIL, 1955 <> 178 Vol. V, No. 4 - Price 10¢ ment still arrogantly and arbitrarily restricts my movements Ao the continental United States, so that I could not join the representatives of more than half the world who convened in the THE SOUTH HAD ITS DAY IN COURT: Asian-African Conference. I felt impelled, however, to send a message to this historic conference and am happy to share that message with you in this month’s column: Education Decree in Danger — nee GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU, peoples come from the shores of the Ganges and the Nile, the Yangtse and ' By THELMA DALE the Niger. Nations of the vast Pacific waters, greetings on this WASHINGTON, D.C.—The warm, beautiful spring had-brought 100,000 visl« historic occasion. It.is my. profound .convic- tors to the nation’s capital. Thousands ef bright; happy-sehool children were view: - tion that the very fact.of the>convening of the Conference of Asian and African nations ing the cherry blossoms and historic points of interest. at Bandung, Indonesia, in itself will be re- Many had come to see how corded as an historic turning point in all the government of our country world affairs. A new vista of human advance- operates. The only part of the ment in all spheres of life has been opened government ‘which obligingly by this assembly. Conceived, convoked, and at- was operating this Easter tended by representatives of the majority of Monday morning was the the world’s population in Asia and Africa who highest tribunal of the land: have long been subjected to colonial serfdom the United States Supreme and foreign domination, the Asian-African Court. Conference signalizes the power and the deter- Hundreds stood in line out- mination of the peoples of these two great continents to decide side, hoping to enter the cham~ their own destiny, to achieve and defend their soverign inde~ ber. On the inside every seat pendence, to control the rich resources of their own lands, was taken and the staid court- and to contribute to the promotion of world peace and co- room was filled with excite- operation. : ment: The nine justices had The time has come when the colored peoples. of the world gathered to hear arguments on will no longer allow the great natural wealth of their countries how and when last year’s May to be exploited and expropriated by the Western world while 17 decision outlawing segrega- they are beset by hunger, disease and poverty. It is clearly tion in public education should evident that these evils can be eradicated'and that the economic, be carried into life. social and cultural advancement of whole populations of hun- v dreds of millions of people can be rapidly achieved, once modern science and industrialization are applied and directed toward Special Rule For Negroes raising the general level of well being of peoples rather than On the fourth day of the WAITING ON THE COUR After 92 years of struggle to cash toward the enrichment of individuals and corporations. hearings Thurgood Marshall, in on the promise of the “Emancipation Proclamation, Negroes The possibility and practicability of such rapid social ad- chief counsel of the National vancement,,.have...been..attested..by those.who have. objectively Association” forthe Advance- line the corridor outside the Supreme Court. chamber to hear argu- examined the history of the Soviet Union since 1917 and develop- ment of Colored People, sum- ments on enforcement of the Court's May 17, 1954 decision ban- ments during the last decade in the countries of Eastern Europe, med up what most of us felt in China, and in newly emancipated Asian countries such on the first day. He told the ~ ning segregation in public’ schools. as India. Court: ] HAVE LONG HAD A DEEP AND ABIDING INTEREST in the “It is. significant — and I enjoying all the time.” that the border states whose cultural relations of Asia and Africa. Years ago I began my might be wrong — but I don’t And though we were_pre- progress toward~ integration studies of African and Asian languages and learned about the believe that any argument pared for it, we could not avoid has been so widely ballyhooed, rich and age-old-cultures of these mother continents of human has been made to this Court a sense of shock when only would have taken a firm stand , civilization. The living/evidence of the ancient kinship of Africa to delay the enforcement. of the Negro attorneys argued for for immediate democracy in and Asia is seen in the language structures, in the arts and. a constitutional right unless immediate enforcement of last the schools. But, they, too, continents. Increased exchange of ‘such “Negroes. are involved. . . . philosophies of the two year’s decision. Even at that, called for more time and half- cultures cannot help but bring into flower: a Were any other minority in- closely -telated it seemed they were being measures. voicing of the highest aspirations of colored volved, we’ would not be in richer, more vibrant ‘somewhat magnanimous with © Delaware's Attorney General, this Court: ... It is the most peoples the world over. our rights when they argued, Joseph D. Craven, expressed fact that the Asian and African nations, pos- difficult problem when the Indeed the for enforcement by September, their approach as follows: “I similar yet different cultures, have come together to Negro has to go to the courts sessing 1955, or by 1956 “at the out- would be happy if I could tell common problems must stand as a shining example in the deep South to get the solve their side.” . / the Court that all is well—but right that everybody has been (Continued on Page 7) I must report that we are a The Old South Speaks border state and ever since As time and arguments wore the Civil War we have had @ MUST THEY FIZZ OUT on it became clear that 1956 many grave problems. We are Beer Jobs on Tap @ FOR NEGRO WORKERS? was really an “outside” date— a divided and a troubled outside even the imaginations, people.” of the plans, By VICKIE GARVIN League, the Brooklyn Chap- ery trade union locals, 124, 323 to say nothing U. S.-Dixiecrat Alliance ter of the NAACP, the and 1096, International Broth- of those officials of the Old Are the economic gains Ne- Greater New. York Negro La- erhood of Teamsters, AFL, South who came to demand As a last resort the Negroes gro workers have achieved to bor Council and the United have been placed in the posi- that the Court not. “interfere” looked to the federal govern« be wiped out when recession Nationalist Improvement As- tion today of agreeing to an with the Old South .way of life. ment to support their cause, oc- or just plain depression sociation. arrangement protecting the There was no_ spirit of . But U.S. Solicitor General be like the curs? Are we to The New York State Com- re-employment rights: of a “pleading” for time to work Simeon \E. Sobeloff, speaking out of tide, washed in and mission Against Discrimina- small number (20) of Negro out problems; there was open as a “friend of the court” soon jobs in such newly acquired tion, the Brewers Board of workers. defiance of the Court’s deci- dispelled that hope by join- force the nation’s basic labor Trade and three of the brew- The bottleneck at this point sion. Said the attorney for the ing the bitterest, enemies of the busi- with each change of is the @ie-hard Local 1345, Prince Edward County, Va., our progress with arguments ness cycle? Teamsters, comprising 50 per school board: “I am not before for delay. This problem of retaining cent of the brewery workers’ this court as a culprit plead- The hearings made clear the jhard-won victories is ‘of prime New York City membership ing guilty. It took this Court road ahead. It is not going te importance’ to Negro workers and having jurisdiction over 60 years to decide that segre- be an easy one. in the first place, and to all most of the production jobs gation is illegal and it is only The Southern states arg fighters for job equality as which the handful of Negroes logical that Virginia now be fighting integration with every well. Indeed, it is the other recently won. allowed time to meet this revo- weapon, fair and foul. The of winning side of the coin In 1953, as the result of long, lutionary decision.” border states are straddling passage of entry to new jobs, pitter campaigns, including “This Court can tell Virginia the fence. The Eisenhower ad< FEPC laws, etc. picketing and boycott, initi- what‘ not to do,’ he stated, ministration is in a compact. Such a fight is now taking ated by the Negro Labor Coun- “but it cannot: tell Virginia with the Dixiecrats. : place in New York City in the cil, the UNIA and the Urban what kind of. public schools to Under the circumstances, brewery industry. Its outcome League, the industry_employers operate.” Here was the threat only a popular movemeng can have far-reaching reper- and the ‘trade unions were which the South has brand- much bigger than anythin cussions in other industries. forced to agree to the hiring ished ever since the May 17 the nation has yet seen wi Participating in this struggle of at least 100 Negro brewery ~ decision—to abolish the ,pub- force. an. “immediate, implee | with the Negro brewery work- production workers. A few Ne- lic schools rather than mix mentation” decree from thi ers is a broad combination of gro men did get jobs. their pupils. Court and guarantee that Negro organizations: the MISS GARVIN (Continued on Page 7) One might have expected is carried out. ‘o¢ Greater New York Urban Knights of Labor

Equality Was the Big Issue at ‘86 Convention

At the peak of its numerical munity,” Powderly replied. “It would strength, the Knights of Labor in 1886 not be pleasant for either the Goy- stood at the crossroads—the same ernor or the convention to attempt to roads confronting a merged AFL-CIO » set at defiance a long-established today. usage.” It was agreed, instead that The choice before the Knights of Ferrell would introduce Powderly after Labor was: an active fight for the _ the Governor had spoken. unity of Negro and white workers, Ferrell spoke eloquently. “It is with and growth; or a token fight while extreme pleasure that we, the repre- seeking compromise with. white su- sentatives from every section of our premacists, and decline. country, receive the welcome of con- The roads were pointed out to the gratulations for our efforts to improve 800 delegates, Negro and white from the conition of humanity. One of our almost every part of the country, at- objects of our order is the abolition of tending the 1886 convention in Rich- those distinctions which are main- mond, Va. A series of dramatic ac- tained by creéd or color. ... We have tions, centering’ around one man, worked so far successfully towards the placed the union — its problem in extinction = those see dis- the national spotli nent tingtions, ,. 7’ Accents] 8 w Thé Man Was rank J. Ferrell, a Powderly rade the New York del- stationary engineer and inventor from egation for standing by “the principle New York City, and the only Negro of our organization, which recognizes in the New York delegation of 60 no color or creed in the division Of attending the convention. Active in men.” Maintaining this principle, the Socialist and labor party affairs, Fer- New Yorkers and 20 other union men rell was a leading figure in the Cen- attended a performance of Hamlet, tral Labor Union and was chosen then showing at the Richmond Acad- Captain of Police in its 1884 labor emy Of Music. Ferrell sat between two parade. He lectured in the union’s of his white brothers, and, though school, and was billed as a prominent several white members of the audi- speaker at a meeting protesting ence complained to the manager, against-the murder of seven Home- Ferrell kept his seat in/the orchestra. stead, Pa. strikers. He served as first He was the first Negro in Richmond’s vice-president of a Negro non-parti- history to occupy: an orchestra seat san organization to balance the power in any theatre. This, too, created a between the two major parties. sensation. s f “Act of Courtesy” Editorial Abuse The 60 New York delegates made CONVENTION HIGH POINT: Frank J. Ferrell, delegate from New York, The next evening, after rumors - arrangements to stay in a group at a is shown handing the gayel to General Master Workman Spread that Ferrell and many dele-. hotel operated by a Confederate war Terence Powderly, gates were planning to attend a play veteran. Several weeks later, the hotel at the 10th annual convention of the Knights of labor, Richmond, Va., 1886, at another theatre, police surrounded keeper cancelled the contract when he the building and the manager was Jearned that Ferrell was a delegate Baltimore’s Negro and white dele- toms,” an official proposed to Terence prepared to cancel the performance. and would stay at his hotel: He said, gation had the same problem and Powderly, General Master Workman A mob gathered to prevent Ferrell’s “customs here must be respected.” they were quartered at the homes of of the Knights of Labor, that Ferrell attendance, but the Knights of Labor The New York delegation turned down other Negro families. The Jim Crow be permitted to introduce Virginia’s weren't attending plays that night. the hotel’s offer to provide separate Incidents received much publicity and Gov. Fitzhugh Lee to the Assembly. Editorial abuse was heaped upon accommodations for Ferrell, and came Ferrell's name became known to all “I do not believe that it would be the delegates by southern newspapers. to Richmond carrying tents. They convention delegates. To show the an act of courtesy on our part to vio- “Tf the offense is repeated, it is to be boarded with several Negro families. union’s deflance of southern “cus- late any recognized rule of. this com- (Continued on Page 7)

ing whites tend to look upon freedom forum: @ paper like yours only in the light of our interest in the Negro question, instead of also The Facts of Life considering it on its merits as a@ newspaper. I say this be- YOU AND 25,000 OTHER PEOPLE are reading this April We Cried for Help --- and issue of FREEDOM. ‘ cause I read FREEDOM from masthead to the last word on It might be the last issue you will ever read: and we don’t the back page, and it strikes think that’s what YOU want! Your response to last month’s SOME of You Putpoited me as one of the very best distress signals prove that. written and best edited papers But the facts of life—or death—for FREEDOM are stark, Print the Truth, Say. Well, the people are the in existence. It gives a liberal staring, simple: Expose Evil , only ones We can go to, as the education irrespective of the With our present small band of subscribers, we can’t afford Enclosed is a small donation bankers and their kind ate not reader’s viewpoint. The only to print for $1 a year—yet for the legions of readers we KNOW that carries a message of hope going to give us any money. possible criticism might be are out among you, ready to join FREEDOM’s band, we can’t that your wonderful paper will Best of luck. that its reading level may be afford to raise the price, either! continue to print the truth and Douglass Lee just a bit too high, so as to So what’s the answer: to fold up in the face of this dilemma, expose to the people the evil Detroit, Mich. make it difficult for the aver- or to keep laying the facts on the table and asking the most help that the reactionaries seek to Criticism Welcome age workingman of any race - possible from as many people as can help? impose upon all peace-loving to absorb, and therfore may Well, we don’t intend to fold up as long as we have the Enclosed is a contribution. I breath left to call for help—and therefore this appeal: peoples, and that.one day all believe I am well up on my be limiting your circulation. It men will be true brothers liv- is just a point to consider. In IN THE FIRST PLACE, there are 4,349 subscribers who sub, but in case I am not, haven’t- yet paid even the $1 for 1955: are YOU among these? ing in peace and understand- would you kindly apply $1 to any event, I certainly hope you ing with each other. When the Keep up the fine work. If so, can’t you pay up NOW—and make it, say, $2 while you the renewal. I certainly don’t are at it? : day of social emancipation want to be cut off. Itis un- Victor Pasche comes to North and South Evansville, Ind. You should know—although maybe you don’t—that a good fortunate that we well-mean- many subscribers are backing FREEDOM with $1 and some- America your paper FREEDOM (Note: In plain language, will be in the vanguard of the times more PER MONTH, not just $1 a year. If you can’make THANKS for the criticism — a pledge like this, we will accept it eagerly—and we'll accept peoples’ hearts and minds as and the contribution.—Ed.) 8& powerful force which has it even more eagerly if you'll accompany your monthly: dollar with the name and address of a new subscriber each month. and will do so much for the Freedom Best Wishes common man. BUT LET’S FACE IT, the foregoing merely covers the un- A Friend Herewith $3.00 for a three- paid past and just a little bit of bed rock for the months ahead. Vancouver, B.C., Canada _ Published monthly by year subscription. With best But what about NOW! Freedom Associetes wishes. Surely there must be at least 500 people reading this appeal The People Are the 139 W. 125th St, New York 27, N.Y. Rev. J. S. Kennard, Jr. who ean take the rubber band off that old bankroll and send Ones to Count On Phone: MOnument 6-8700 Columbia, S.C. 5 in a quick $5 or $10 to keep FREEDOM in the running! (And maybe more where that came from if we can keep on doing a . . You can double-my order for EDITORIAL BOARD: Stimulation Promised . April, so send me 100 copies. I PAUL ROBESON, Choirman; good job.) Revels Cayton, Shirley Grahom, Here are two dollars, small Of course we wouldn’t turn down $25 or $100 if you can know how hard it is to get enough in terms of the paper’s money to publish a paper that Alphoeus Hunton, Modjeska M. Simkins stretch it that far, because it doesn’t take so many of those. ~ General Manager: THELMA DALE needs, but as you know, we to make a dozen—but we won’t insist. . is going to tell the truth, but just don’t have it. Still, we we will keep trying. I hope to Editor: LOUIS E. BURNHAM We thought we’d mention it though, because in the generous love FREEDOM too much not responses to our alarm signals of last month a couple of such be able to raise some money We per copy; to have done at least this. - for FREEDOM. I guess people came through—and we are deeply grateful and appreciative of subscription rate—$1.00 @ year = Will try to stimulate same the sacrifice involved. , Warit ‘to run and hide when Entered ‘ds’ Second Class. Matter April elsewhere. Don’t get us wrong, though: ‘all: responses are generous, and they. see me coming, as it’s 9, 1953, at the Post Office at N. Y., . Leo Peimer money for this’ or that, they We are just as grateful for every one. N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Brooklyn, N. Y. It’s just that we need so much more to be grateful for. 2 FREEDOM f

Fre

a ae eN ct eee

Vol. V, No. 4 APRIL, 1955

Cause for Celebration ery YEARS AGO Paul Robeson launched a musical career that was to establish him as the greatest people’s artist of our time. _ It was evident then, and has become even more pronounced in the years that followed, that the artist was not only the possessor of an incomparably rich bass-baritone voice and a peerless interpreter of our musical culture. pees To be sure, he is uniquely that. UT MORE. Robeson, the great artist, is among the most magnificent human beings of the 20th century. Think of the emotions his songs call forth: the imperious command of “Go Down Moses”; the plain statement of un- joy varnished truth in “Scandalize My Name”; the triumphant in “Ezikia] Saw the Wheel”; the fraternal tenderness in “Joe Hill”; and the unconquerable defiance of the Warsaw Ghetto song. No amount of practiced artistic skill—alone—can explain the spell under which Paul Robeson holds his listeners as he sings these songs. The emotions and aspirations he stirs in us are an inseparable part of the real man. HE ART OF SINGING reaches its fullest dimensions in his hands, for his songs become the composite voice of the com- mon people set to music. His greatest triumphs on the stage are matched by the drama of his glorious fight for peace and human dignity.

In his person, human thought and action unite at the highest level. His art, like the great art of all times, is the peoples’ art. With this modest supplement FREEDOM is proud to join in observance of the 30th anniversary of the concert career of Paul Robeson. : THE FIRST REVIEW

| PAUL ROBESON IN SONGS. | aro Baritone’s Intense Earnest: | ness Grips His Hearers. ef] An wnasualle interesting progran. | music Was given by the baritone pecro | PAUL ROBESON Hobeson dnd his aseoulate. Lae: Paul ~ Brown, at the Greenwich Village eos before a large and | eetre last 4 plhusicatic BUCO. genuine First Concert: ‘A Turning Point’ - R a ia a singer of ia ample for nis needs. “Paul’s friends in Harlem talked about the The veice intense “All who listened last night to the first and soit, but it is his concert in this country made entirely of importance of a program of all -Negro music. grips his bearers, His Negro music—if one may count out the His Negro friends uptown and his white friends « which downtown joined hands and worked for the girituals nave tbe ring et the sissies chorals from Fiske and so forth—may have a world of been present at a turning-point, one of those success of the concert. Together they created : list, isey Dold in them a great general interest in the event, and on ls this cry from thin points of time in which a star. is born religious © ence. H not yet visible—the first appearance of this that Sunday evening, April 19, 1925, when the humanien. the depths. tile universal folk wealth to be made without deference Idyal and eager Provincetowners, dressed in that touches the heart. : or apology.” evening clothes to do their friend honor, gath- ered in a body at the Greenwich Village arranged by H. Ai gee The historic occasion, noted in these dis- The -pirituals. Theater, they were surprised and delighted to ani ee i music critic, eign. bs Lawrence Brown cerning word’s of the N. ¥. World’s find a huge crowd filling the lobby and the was Mr) as a concert singer, wer ai) well known but it was Paul Robeson’s debut sidewalk in front of the theater, and to learn Lawrence Brown, on April 19, gilt wo omake then tell (a7 accompanied by that all the seats and all the standing-room 5 te Village Theater in _ and that not by any out] 1925, at the “Greenwich had been sold. .. .” ere , d New York. As for the artist’s performance, stress, bul by an overwhelming The audience cheered through encore after ward ome ‘oan. the writer reported: comviction. Sung by Robeson’s voice is difficult to encore .... as audiences would do through inward “Paul decades to come . . . in many lands .. . among voiced the sorrows and hoy describe. It is a. voice in which deep bells . all peoples, poor. , ring. It has all its needs—perfect pace, beau- a Brown sbly seconded the tiful enunciation.” The critics cheered next day in print, and wee rence songs Aheir words, too, have re-echoed through 30 at the plano. Many af tHe A year earlier the drama critics had hailed years. “Mr. Robeson is a singer of genuine finger sev-§ as an actor with repeated and there were Robeson’s first appearances power,” said the N.Y. Times. “His Negro spirit- hac to be = and it was this the Provincetown Players, uals have the ring of the revivalist ... a cry eral encore theater pioneer group of the “off-Broadway” from the depths, this unusual humanism that that organized the Jaunching of his formal . touches the heart. Sung by one man, they FIRST CONCERT: The N.Y. Times on April 20, 1925, recorded career as a singer. voiced the sorrows and hopes of a- people.” the appearance of a new “singer of genuine power.” The night Symbolically, Negro and white liberals were And the Evening Post observed that “he gives Among the before, Paul Rcbeson, with Lawrence Brown at the piano, had given united’ in this initial presentation. to this characteristic music exactly the quality energetic promoters of the Robeson debut it has in the place of its origin.” his first concert at the Greenwich Village Theater. “The spirituals,” most was the late Walter White; and the liberal The first Paul Robeson concert... a tri- stated the reviewer, “were all well known, but it was Mr. Robe- Heywood Broun, did much to- pub- journalist, umph of Negro artists; a triumph of Negro line, and thot not by any event through his famous column, son’s gift to make them tell. in every licize the cultural “It Seems To Me.” music . .. yes, a turning-point in cutward stress, but by an overwhelming inward conviction. Sung Ee gate Wes ng ade recounted St... _ history...» ‘by one:man, they:yeiced the sorrows and hopes of a people.” As Eslanda Robeson has FREEDOM. 3

The Voice Heard Around the World . . :

Ballers Conducts With Robert R She Orch eat of 150 he ing

WEST COAST: The Los Angeles EAST COAST: When the re- A RARE COMBINATION: At the piano for the first Robeson Examiner ~described Robeson’s viewer left, “Mr. Robeson had concert 30 years ago was Lawrence Brown, the distinguished ac- voice as one “of poignant and been singing encores for more companist, teacher and arranger of Negro spirituals. For 29 years magnificent quality” in its story than half an hour,” declared the Robeson and Brown performed in all parts of the world. In a of a record- breaking outdoor N.Y. Times account of a great number of the spirituals Brown's tenor yoice joined Robeson‘s bari- concert” featuring “Ballad for Lewisohn Stadium appearance fone in sparkling duets, . Americans.” in 1943, aul Robeson Broadcast Brings Cheers From Vast Radio Public ‘cans. “which on Sunday, Noy. 8, ; Meseages A Applaud ' # vrought a studio audience to its, Mail Floods customed to the “business” “‘and/ seet in a tumultuous. ovation, ; Radio Offices yfeldom given to writing letters | Rendition of ; about other Productions, Earl Whatever the persons who at- Then the mail came. penned jittters and hurried telegrams on ‘Robinson's Ballad tended the premiere of this Amer- “It came on postcards. It came In their way. ican folk-oratorio might have tried envelopes. it came on hastily writ-. ‘The letters cameNrom ten scraps of paper. New York. fo express in their cheers, hand-, It came in , Michigan. Washington. There aren’t any telegrams. Penns. more Clappings and exuberant yells—the ‘santa, Connecticut, Nevada, Patients in hospitals wrote. Taxi." adjectives in the dictionary. listening audience wasn't far ne- tornia— from all America, rivers. puysicians, lawyers, tailors Lind in a stupendous wave of ap- Democrats, Republicans, and They're all piled high on: sailors ‘and soldiers’... . executives. “4 ProvalL - i borites, CBS *ffice boys, teachers. pupi!s. manu- director Norman Cor- Columiba’s New York telephone Mail came from edito-# Publish- win's desk, They’re astonish- toard was jammed with incoming facturers and. consumers... all ers, and readers. messages cane calls until half an hour after the swelled the Monday morning mai! from movie producers, ing evidence of the enthusiastic re- directo-s Program was off the air. Hollye melange in CBS offices from coast and actors, sponse te Paul Robeson’s singing of ‘wood swamped the phones for two to coast. rl Robi lad for Amer-' People in radio. more or less ac- hours. ’ PAUL ROBESON’s rendition of “Ballad for Americans” over the CBS network in 1939 marked a milestone in radio broadcasting. ROBESON ACCLAIMED IN OTHELLO ROLE

American Negro’s Debut In Shakespearean Play Takes ' London by Storm.

AUDIENCE RISES IN FRENZY

Twenty Curtain Calls for Stara Peggy Ashcroft’s Desdemona Proves a Revelation.

By G. W. BISHOP. Bpecial Cable to Tue New YorK Tinse, DURING WORLD WAR II Robeson (circle) sang for shipyard workers at Oakland, Calif. LONDON, May 19.—An audience at the Savoy Theatre rose for Paul Robeson tonight at the close of his first interpretation of Othello, and the curtain was raised and lowered twenty times before the frenzy of applause subsided. Old playgoers searching théir memories can recall no such scene in a London theatre in many years. Cries for Robeson came from all parts of the house the mo- ment the last “lines were spoken. Finally the American Negro actor, who never before had appeared in a Shakespearean - art yet was a strong favorite with British audiences in musical pieces, came to the front of the stage. “I took the part of Othello,” he said, ‘with much fear. Now J am so happy.’ That wasn't enough for the audience. They brought him back with Miss Peggy mind and rich beauty of utts Ashcroft, the Desdemona, an@ after. more frantic appeals Miss Ellen} could be better played,” « Von Volkenburg, the American pro- cer, was Induced to come forward London opening, May 18, ) share the honors. : “Othello” enjoyed the os tory—one year (1943) on B The N.Y, Times, May 19, 1930, acclaims Robeson’s historic Lon- cities of the country. “ROBESON AND BROWN with students after concert at Bennett College, Greensboro, N. C. | don debut as “Othello.” f ‘FREEDOM : i THE TWO OUTSTANDING international spokesmen of the Negro PRESIDENT BENJAMIN MAYS of Morehouse College, Atlanta, people, Paul Robeson and Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, are shown at the Ga., conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters World Peace Sens in Patis in 1949. : upon Paul Robeson in May, 1943, A : You Are Truly the Peoples’ Artist...

(Following is an excerpt from the cita- You Sing as if God ‘Almighty sent you into tion which accompanied the honorary the world to advocate the cause of the PAUL ROBESON G degree’ of Doctor of Humane Letters common man in song. You are truly the awarded Paul Robeson by Morehouse people’s artist. “HAMILTON DEGREE | College.) In your search for freedom you experi- ence a common bond between the suffer- College Confers Honorary Doc- You, perhaps more than any other per- ing and oppressed folks of the world, son, have made Negro music accepted as that folk music is universal and that torate of Hamane Letters first-rate art by the world at large. You folks are alike everywhere. It is quite have rendered the Negro race and the possible that there is not and perhaps Special to Tas Naw Yore Truss. world a great service in Othello by de- there never will be again in this gener- CLINTON, N. ¥., Jan. 21—Paul monstrating that Negroes are capable of ation a folk singer your equal. Robeson, distinguished Negro actor: great and-enduring interpretations in the You have the genius of touching the and concert singer, was presented.| realm of the theatre as over against the hearts of men, whether they walk the with the honorary degree, Doctor typical cheap performances that Holly- highway of kings or tread the lowly path of Humane Letters, in the Hamil- wood and Broadway too often insist on of peasants. You have thrilled the hearts ton College chapel! this afternoon. : Negroes doing. of thousands in song and in picture and The degree was conferred at a| special ‘convocation presided over You have had the courage to dignify in drama. You have given hope to and warmed the hearts of the oppressed mil- by Dr. W. H. Cowley, president. and popularize the folk-songs composed In the citation, Dr. Cowley de by the. oppressed peoples of the earth. lions in every land. You represent in your scribed Mr. Robeson as a ‘‘atudent, ‘You have proved that you have a mission athlete, lawyer, actor, singer and in song and a deep, abiding faith in that mission. In your singing you champion PAUL ROBESON HONORED the cause of the common man. Whether person, in your integrity, and in your it is a Negro spiritual, the folk song of Receives Spingarn Medal for “ideals the things for which this college France, or Canada, the songs of the Mex- Distinguished Achievements stands and for which it shall continue to ican peons, the Jew’s longing for release stand, from ‘persecution, the brave chant of the “Paul Robeson, Negro singer and We are happy, therefore, to be the first Russian soldier, the songs of Madrid at actor, received the thirtieth annual Negro college in the world to place itg the time of bombardment, or a song por- stamp of approval upon the leadership of traying the heroism of London and a man who embodies all the hopes and aspirations of the Negro race and who, China, you, Mr. Robeson, embody in + |ple attended by 600 persons at the| your person the sufferings of mankind. _ |Hotel Biltmore. despite crippling restrictions, breathes Your singing is a declaration of faith. the pure air of freedom. i THE SEW. YORE TIMES, SATURDA, O AY

RECIPIENTS OF ARTS D LEXTERS GR TS FOR oH

ul Robeson made theatre history peare’s Othello. “For nobility of it is difficult to think the part the N.Y, Times reviewer after the Letters i Journaliom; Willa Cather, who was awardes |. n the United States Robeson’s Casal s creme who rn the BOpder at om a? for ey ee ms “American rit Medal of the Academy for Fiction, and Pauw Robeson, | of the Institute for Fiction: Theodore Dreiser, who ree elved the f any Shakespearan play in his- the Gold Medal y at the =~ eeremonial of the American fu got the Academy Medal for Good Diction on the Blage. Th quariel way hone! National lnytitate “Site 9 f A Le Academy of. Arts and Satta in 1944, ' AWARD: For his acter in Othello, Paul Robeson received the ‘Medal of the American ‘FREEDOM 3 The Robeson es s : co Sage 4

Paul Robeson Stops in Middle of Concert| “ To Protest Municipal Auditorium Jim-Crow | 4 Singer Feels Deep . Famous Baritone Sf Concern for Negro Blasts Segregation a People's Welfare In Public Building : VOL, 23—NO. 44 CITY EDITION = Refuses to Sing in Southern States KANSAS CITY, MO., FEBRUARY 20, 1942 cet | Metropolitan Spiritual Church Choir Because of Segregation; Plans to Maclean [Only Real Democracy Assists Him in Singing ‘Ballad For - Give Programs at Army Camps Soon Will Men Up fo Amercans’ Which Features Recital J

HE FIGHTS JIM.CROW wherever he finds it. And, finding it at his own concert in the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium in 1942, Paul Robeson stopped singing to “blast segregation. “ The K.C. Call, in the story headlined above, reported that, “The biggest and most impressive thing about Paul Robeson is the deep concern that he feels in his heart for his people.” HARRIS IS CALLED Fighting Jim Crow BY COMMISSIONER tn

IN 1943 ROBESON led delegation to Commissioner Landis de- OWNERS. HEAR ROBESON manding Negro players in baseball, Left to r., are: Stanley Frank, writer; Jimmy Conzelman, football coach; former N. Y. Councilman Organized Baseball Urged to Benj. Davis; Cong. A. C. Powell (hidden) ; W. Smith sports writer, Admit Negro Players—Up to Each Club, Landis Replies

By JOHN DREBINGER Baseball's spectacular week of powerful palavering drew to an of- ficial close yesterday.

j As their session opened, they lis- tened to a plea from a Negro dele- gation, which included Paul Robe- gon, noted Negro singer and actor, T who urged the club owners to al- jow Negroes to enter organized paseball. Speaks for Both Leagues { The Negro question was tact-! fully handled when Landis, speak- ing for the National and American Leagues, issued a statement that “Each club is entirely free to em- * nace enn tarer=coenrane cremate HNMEE THIS N.Y. TIMES STORY ap- TOURING THE COUNTRY IN 1948, Paul Robeson visited the peared in 1943, four years be- homes of some 30 Negro families in Eugene, Ore. The families PAUL ROBESON, himself an all-American athlete, visits Joe Louis fore the B’klyn Dodgers signed were forced to live in tarpaper shanties because of Jim Crow at the ex-champ’s training camp. Jackie Robinson. real estate restrictions.

HIS LATEST REVIEW: LOS ANGELES, MAR, 18, 1955 : His Artistry ... “Never More Pronounced, Never More Mature, Never More Moving’ vee (The following review of Paul humor and time seems not to only able to come from a Paul evate the simplest folk song to German, Yiddish, Hebrew, Per- Robeson’s most recent concert have dimmed its golden quality Robeson. The same composer’s the stature of the people from sian and Chinese. appeared under the byline of or its tremendous techinque. ,“Orphan” was bitter in its de- whence it came. The audience Mr. Alan Booth, Mr. Robe- musie critic Morris Browda in Whether Paul Robeson sings nunciation of a callousness response to his singing of “Zog son’s pianist, proved a sensitive ee The California Jewish_ Voice, from Beethoven or a Chorale which cotild allow a child to nit keinmol” and “Din Toire artist who supported the singer : Friday, March 18, 1955.) of Bach or-a song of his own die of hunger and in contrast mit Gott” was instantaneous with well balanced accompani- abe Two completely sold out con- people or dramatic excerpts the Children’s Cradle Song was and of ovation proportions; it ments. Two solo piano groups certs in three days attested to from Boris Godunow in Russian a superb example of extreme mattered little that not the en- made the entire program overly a sae the ageless artistry of Paul or Jewish folk songs in Yiddish, tenderness and simple pathos. tire audience could understand long but contained some well b SREReNoa last week he wore! his songs come from the heart ‘The singer’s huge voice showed the Yiddish. His only German chosen works by Gretchaniniff, iS citals took place Te the spacious because judging from the re-' extraordinary technical control leid, a lullaby by Schubert, was Lin Shea-An, Villa-Lobos, Ar- puditorium of the First Unitars.. c20mse of the audience they in singing the Cradle Song ina sung with such tenderness of manda Aldrich as well as by ae fan Church and those péople reach the heart. His great un- most delicate pianissimo. tone quality and such beauty Beethoven, Brahms and Cho- privileged enough to have been derstanding and love of people With opera associations and of classic phrasing that we re- pin. Three African Dances by > able to attend heard the magic has made him undoubtedly one concert managers all over the gretted seeing only this one on Aldrich were particularly well of Mr. Robeson’s artistry which of the world’s greatest singers world clamoring for Rebeson his program. played. Py seas AB ver more “pronounced of folk songs of all nations and appearances, it is hoped the When Paul Robeson sings the The concert was presented Ever Gre aietine sever sicie it is to these folk songs that State Department in Washing- spirituals of his people, he does for the tax fund of the Unitar- =p moving. The quatity of his sing- Robeson feels closest. ton will soon see fit to provide them with the dramatic inten- ~ ian Church, to pay taxes grow- ing again made the contention Yet with equal artistry does this artist with his passport. sity and pathos of an artist who ing out of the refusal of the per positive that in its greatness Paul Robeson sing opera and Israel has eleven concert dates has felt the suffering of a na- Church authorities to sign the dhe Wuinan= volte 1s still the art songs. His excerpts from ready for him, the Paris opera tion. And at the same time we highly controversial loyalty SE most exciting medium in the Boris Godunow were done not is waiting and this Spring Eng- feel in those spirituals, as he oath in order to benefit by tax ok. exercise of great artistry only with magnificent vocal land hopes to produce “Othello” sings them, the fotward march exemptions due religious insti- ca 3 = displays but with a dramatic with Mr. Robeson. of a great people to freedom tutions. It was quite fitting for The tremendous bass voice of intensity that brought the en- As. already mentioned, a folk and equality. It must be men-- artists like Paul Robeson and =f this singer rang with a quality tire role of the tragic Boris in- song by Robeson carries with it tioned that the clarity of Alan Booth to come from New - S which in turn reflected tragic to full view. It was a gripping more musical impact than a diction for which Paul Robeson York to assist in their own way ce drama, delicate tenderness, joy- demonstration of acting and complete role in an opera by is famous was demonstrated by toward the quelling of present- “ful! (excitement, even piquant” “singing the like of which seems other singers. He seems to el- ~ his singing in English, Russian, day~political- hysteria. 2 5 e { 6 FREEDOM | a? oe:

(Independence) Building, Bandung, Indonesia. Greetings to Bandung

(Continued from Page 1) to the rest of the world. Discussion and mutual respect are the first ingredients for the development of peace between nations. If other nations of the world follow thé example set by the Asian-African nations, there can be developed an alter- native to the policy of force and an end to the threat of H- “~~ Bomb war. The people of Asia and Africa have a direct interest MOMOLU DUKULY JAWAHARLAL NEHRU in such a development since it is a well known fact that (The Chinese premeir (left) set (The Liberian Acting Secy. (At reception for delegates the thermonuclear weapons have been used only against the peoples Conference tone with statement: of State (left) greeted by re- Indian prime minister, Confer- of Asia. There is at present a threat to once more use them “I did not come to quarrel.”) porters at the Bandung airport.) ence sponsor, speaks his mind.)

against an Asian people. I fully endorse the objectives of the Conference to prevent any such catastrophe, which would inevitably bring about suf- years ago, where I first became part of the movement for entire agreement and relieving fering and annihilation to all the peoples of the world. Through- colonial freedom—the many friends from India and Africa and the employers of their share of out the world all decent people must applaud the aims of the the West Indies with whom I shared hopes and dreams of a responsibility for job bias. Conference to make the maximum contribution of the Asian new day for the oppressed colored peoples of the world, And I Union On Trial and African countries to the cause of world peace. might have come as an observer had I been granted a passport by the State Department, whose lawyers have argued that “in SCAD scheduled a _ public NE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT causes of world tension view of the applicant’s frank admission that he has-been fight- hearing, the first in its 10- has been and continues to be imperialist enslavement of ing for the freedom of the colonial people of Africa... the year history, against a union, nations. Peace in Asia is directly linked with the, problems of diplomatic embarrassment that could arise from the presence with Local 1345 as the de- freedom and full sovereign rights for the nations of Asia. As abroad of such a political meddler (sic!) travelling under the fendant. Hearings, which for Africa, most of that vast continent, as we know, still groans protection ‘of an American passport, is easily imaginable!” opened on April 11, are still in chains. In North Africa, in Kenya, East Africa, and in other So all the best to all of you. Together with all of pro- going on. areas imperialist terror has been unleashed in an attempt to gressive mankind, with lovers of peace and freedom everywhere, At the opening hearing ses- keep freedom-aspiring peoples in subjection. South Africa feels I salute your history-making conference. sion, Local 1345, through its the lash of the redoubled racist fury of her white ruling class. attorney, announced that the But this is the time of liberation, and Africa too shall shout in union would admit four Negro freedom and glory. Soon. Yes, now is our day! workers, the first in its his- tory, at its next membership The demand of Africa and Asia for independence from alien Beer Jobs on Tap meeting. Widespread publicity domination and exploitation finds warm support among demo- in the Negro and white press cratic-minded peoples everywhere. Although the calling of the (Continued from Page 1) average of 250 days work each and pressure flowing from the Bandung Conference evoked bitter words of displeasure from in the industry. spotlight on rampant dis- high circles in Washington, the common people of America But several months ago, as Making. no headway by other crimination against Negroes in have not forgotten that our own country was founded in a layoffs took place, practically all of them were dismissed, means, the Negro workers filed this country, helped force this revolution of colonies against a foreign tyranny—a revolution a case with the N.Y. State: proclaiming that all nations have a right to independence un- victims of the “last hired, frst preliminary, partial victory. Commission Agafnst Discrimi- An important step in the di- der a government of their own choice. fired” rule —-a step. rapidly leading to the return of lily- nation, charging _ discrimina- rection of job equality can-be To the Negro people of the United States and the Caribbean white beer plants in New York tion- arising out of historic won this year in the present Islands it was good news—great good mews—to hear that the City. - conditions of, exclusion over brewery struggle. The Negro Bandung Conference had been called “to consider problems of which they had no control. people are behind it. Organ- special interest .. . racialism and colonialism.” Typical of the Considered “Casual” Because of a highly unusual Last. January it appeared -ized labor should be identified Negro people’s sentiments are these words from one of our lead- with it. Here is an opportunity, ing weekly newspapers: “Negro Americans should be interested seniority clause in the collec- that a limited adjustment had tive bargaining contract, been reached, through SCAD’s on the eve of the AFL-CIO in the proceedings at Bandung. We have fought this kind rherger, for trade union lead- of fight for more than 300 years and have a vested interest in adopted in 1949 and made intervention, with the indus- try and the unions to provide ers such as George Meany and the outcome.” more stringent in 1951, these men remained “casual” work~ re-hiring rights for 20 of the Dave Beck to help resolve this OW I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MY BROTHERS from Africa, ers, ineligible for union mem- Negro workers. But_at the last issue as a demonstration of India, China, Indonesia and from all the people represented bership, and without rehiring moment, one local, 1345, Team- genuinely democartic labor at Bandung. In your midst are old friends I knew in Lohdon seniority rights—despite an sters, balked, nullifying the unity.

relations which may exist between zations, but they will be forced to from Page 2) different races,” was’ adopted. yield.” Ki nigh ts of Labor (Conte Southern delegates, however, threat- Two other resolutions affecting Ne- ened to withdraw from the organiza- groes were also adopted. One proposed tion. They never did. But Powderly hoped that the guilty ones will be no wish to interfere with the social the sending of organizers to the South. never implemented the resolutions pitched headlong into the street” de- relations which exist between the The other proposed the formation of a adopted by the convention, Whether races of the South, I have a strong union bureau to collect statistics on clared the Atlanta Constitution. “It is this inaction was the result of com- better to settle this issue at the start desire to see the black man educated relations between Negro and white- promises made by Powderly in his . .. Will my critics explain to me workers, and to learn whether Negroes than to wait until it becomes serious.” private meetings with Southern rep- Negro, labor and many northern whether an education will not advance were receiving full liberties and rights. resentatives has not been determined. newspapers hailed the attempts of the moral standard. of the colored Powderly’s and the Knights of man, and will they tell me such a Historic Parade _ _ convention delegates te break Jim Labor’s prestige after the convention thing is not as necessary with the Crow. The New York Freeman pro- A parade of 3,000 marchers, half of rose to new heights among Negro claimed: blacks as with the whites? . . . Will it them Negro, capped the convention. be explained to me whether the black people and in the North. At least 25,000 “The Bourbons of the South may Almost the entire Negro population of people welcomed Powderly and union rage to their heart’s content but the man should continue to work for star- Richmond turned out to watch, and delegates returning to Philadelphia. A fact remains that here is one great vation wages? several thousand joined the delegates similar reception was given Trenton, organization in the land which recog- “There need be no further cause for at a picnic. It was the largest Negro- nizes the brotherhood of all man and alarm, “Powderly continued. ‘The N. J. delegates. white affair in Richmond's history. From those heights, the Knights of has the courage to practice what it colored representatives to this con- teaches . . . and Southern prejudice verition will not intrude where they For many white delegates the con- Labor steadily declined. Little was will yet be made to are not wanted, and the time honored vention was a significant lesson. One done to carry out a fight for the econ- and intolerance omic and social -rights of Negroes. eat grass like an ox.” laws of social equality will be allowed such white worker said, “The angry -to slumber undisturbed.” demonstration at Richmond was not Several years later, in 1894, the Powderly Apologizes A group of delegates sought adoption misunderstood .by .the .Northern Knights of Labor gave up entirely and devised a scheme to raise federal funds In an attempt to calm the opposi- of a resolution endorsing Powderly’s Knights, and it opened their eyes to letter to the Dispatch. The resolution the frue condition of affairs in the to deport Negroes to the Congo Basin, tion of the Southern critics, Powderly Liberia. “or some, other part. of Africa.” apologetic lefter which, apr was tabled and a substitution, “recog- South as nothing else could have done. wrote an, political leaders in the — The road of compromise and ‘lip ser=- peared in the Richmond Dispatch nizing the civil and political equality The white South are hostile to all labor organi- vice led to its death 1% i during the convention. “While I have. of all\‘men” but upholding “the social FREEDOM 7

~ faise the food prices. Further- ~ and glasses, but with knowl- more—before I go to Heaven edge and learning .. . to cure LIFE SHOULD BE MORE THAN. I’m goin’ to vote against free the sick . . . not only in hos- hospitals for children. I’m goin’ pitals but the folks who are to build houses of prostitution sick at heart ... to feed the GRABBING AND GETTING... and more jails to put the pros- hungry! Divide the loaves and titutes in. Before I ‘go to fishes among all the children said, “Why? Why? Why? What And she’s right, Marge! Ain’t Heaven I am also going to in the world and see the great is it all about? I go out to work it awful? Just think—a man build mean atom bomb ‘shel- amount. we'll still have left every day on a hard, low-pay- is headed for the grave. ... ter, so that I will not go to over... . It’s to find delight A Conversation in’ job, I live in this broke- Excuse me, Marge, I meant no Heaven too soon. in one another and bring down, high-rent apartment disrespect, let’s ‘say he’s head- “Before I go to Heaven, I’m about the true brotherhood of From Life and I just barely manage to ed for Heaven, but before he goin’ to join the Klan and burn all mankind.” buy enough food so’s I can goes he’s got a mission to ac- crosses on folks doorsteps . .. Well, Marge, Nellie smiles at keep my strength up to go complish, so he says, “Before and burn folks if necessary. me and says, “Mildred, the last By Alice Childress back to that low-payin’ job, I go to Heaven I’m gonna own And last but not least, before man that taught those things and things go ’round like that all the old shanty buildings in I go to Heaven, I’m goin’ to got crucified, and if he was year in and year out... . For my town and charge the poor give away 50 Christmas baskets back here today he’d get it what? Why!” folks: so much rent that Ill every year to the poor, regard- again!” ARGE, DO YOU EVER ask You should have heard her, be able to buy me a car and less of their race, creed or color!” “Don’t I know it!” I said. yourself, “What is it all Marge. “Folks. goin’ off to war,” a big house with a, swimming “But what did he say?” ‘Lo, about?” I mean livin’ and dy- she says, “killin’ other folks pool. AN YOU IMAGINE THAT, I am with you always!’” in’ and the long stretch of ». + hatred scattered every- “And before I go to Heaven Marge? . . . You’re abso- “Look around, Nellie,” I said. struggle that comes in between. where near and far, everybody I’m goin’ to see that all the lutely right, girl! Life should “Every age has somebody I was over to my cousin actin’ like dog eat dog and the schools stay Jim Crow so’s be more than grabbing and teachin’ those things, but the Nellie’s. house and. she had _ devil take the hindmost! Every that different races can keep getting. Like I told Nellie, golden age of peace and joy just~ come through a great Sunday’ we get together and: hatin’ each~other:~ I’m—goin’— “Ain-t-it plain -to..see..the-mis- will come .when we stop. the store of trouble and it looked sing ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ to keep black people off of Sion is—loving and working to crucifixion!” Well, leastways, like a fresh supply was due ane then go back to the same juries, also—before I go to glorify the. earth and all that’s Marge, that’s how I think—or any minute. . . . Well, honey, old scuffle come Monday morn- Heaven. I’m going to drop in it? in’” It’s to heal the blind else; as Nellie says, “What is she threw up her hands and bombs on people and also + not only with )operations it all about!”

tinuing “policy on the part of Go and see “Blackboard those who control the means Jungle,” and watch this in- Movie Review: Behind the - of communication to trans- form our citizens from nor- credible story unfold on the mal, friendly human beings screen. You will be spell- into jungle animals, so that bound by the superb and Blackboard Jungle... they will be conditioned to haunting performance of Sid- fight for the domination. of ney Poitier, that handsome, the world. It is within this By ESLANDA G. ROBESON ernment agencies riddled with find yourself in the jungle’ natural, sensitive, articulate, broad national framework that corruption; they hear of Con- everywhere, anywhere, in these dignified and brilliant Negro I. just saw the film “Black- “Blackboard Jungle” assumes gressmen and other public of- United States. Citizens have actor. You will appreciate board: Jungle,” which tells a the ficials being sent to prison for , found even the law to be a sociological significance. sympathetic and story about juvenile delin- understand- robbing the Government; they jungle. Officers of the law able groping of Glenn Ford as quents in our public schools, know that law enforcement of- themselves sometimes set an Calls For Action © the teacher. It is a significant and fright- ficers responsible for main- example of lawlessness. Politi- “A superb cast, led by Louis “Blackboard Jungle” is not ening story, highlighting the taining public order and safety cal prisoners jailed by perver- Calhern, Glenn Ford and Sid- a film merely to see; it is a very dangerous brutality and —policemen in the North and sion of the law have been lawlessness which exists and ney Poitier gave a gripping film which requires action. sheriffs in the South—stand murderously attacked in the is spreading to the young in account of the invasion of the Such action might begin with accused of attack and even prison yards. f the United States today. city schoolroom by sidewalk the top members of the ad- murder of peaceful, innocent The. public press for adults, delinquents. The revelations ministration going to see the “We used to think of the citizens, especially Negro citi- States as a reasonably safe comic books for youth, radio are the more important when film. They may then realize zens, and members of other and television, films and the- and democratic ‘country—ex- one considers the shameful the irony of undertaking global minority groups. ater entertain our citizenry cept, of course, for Negroes, secrecy with which Boards of instruction in our way-of-life with a deluge of whodunits, Jews, foreign born, protesting Men, women and children Education have. hidden ‘nis and of preaching the gospel of workers, and politiical dissent- nowadays hurry home at dusk. westerns, gangster exploits and frightening trend now culmin- peace, while our own people, atom bomb threats. ers—who can be and are Quiet streets can be danger- ating in a reign of terror of and children, enjoy neither abused, attacked, raped and ous; a self-service elevator in There is a considered, con- teachers. peace nor security at home. lynched in times of stress and an apartment house can be a strike. trap, to say nothing of a hall- It is common knowledge’that way or vestibule. “Police have part of the U.S.A, is becom- issued warnings against walks children’s story: MARY CHURCH TERRELL ing a lawless jungle, with gun- in parks at night. Even inside happy creatures roaming the the home the citizen is not Mary Church Terrell was born the very formed committees to defend safe from attack. « Negro sol- public parks, streets, subways, year the Emancipation Proclamation was diers who were mistreated in the army; invading private homes and Predatory beings, masquer- signed. As a young girl in Memphis, Tenn., she helped public schools, for sport as well ading as messenger boys, deliv- to organize one of the great as for loot. ery men and meter-readers in- her teachers praised her as a brilliant Negro women’s organizations, the National vade well guarded houses and student. For Mary Church Terrell loved Association Learn From. Elders of Colored Women; and she apartments to attack others her studies and she decided while she was went to many conferences It is an oversimplification to of women in without discrimination \as_ to. very young that she would be a teacher other countries lump this widespread and in- race, sex or age, Taxi drivers, to talk for the Negro creasing lawlessness under once regarded as a sturdy, when she grew up. And she did, women of the United States. “juvenile delinquency.” The hard-boiled, experienced lot, She came North and went to Oberlin, . One of the most important. things juveniles of 1955 are doing now scan their fares fearfully, a famous college in Ohio. Then, as a young Mary Church what juveniles have done since Terrell did was to organize because they too have een women, she spent many years teaching and the beginning of time—they kidnapped, beaten and robbed a campaign to end discrimination in the take their cue from their in broad daylight as well as studying in the United States and in hotels and restaurants of Washington, elders. after dark. Europe. But all her life she could not for- D.C. And whenever there was a campaign Youth sees the leaders of Surrounded By Jungle get the condition of. her people all over the to free a Negro person who had been sen- gang-warfare at home and United States. There was so much to be abroad dramatized in the Blackboard Jungle? Jungle tenced unjustly to die, Mrs. Terrell was al- headlines; they read of Gov- in the schoolroom? You can done to get the full citizenship that our ways at the head of groups who came to other great leaders had dreamed of. Washington. to protest to the Government.

, In many places in the South, Negro people could not vote, even though they FOUGHT FOR DEFENSELESS FREEDOM were citizens. And sometimes when they She was almost 90 years old when she 139 West 125th Street, New York 27, N. ¥. tried to, their houses were burned down or took a delegation of: people to Georgia to they were even killed. They could not get protest the imprisonment of Mrs. Rosa Lee Ingram, a Send FREEDOM to: ($1 for 1 year subscription) jobs in many. factories; and in many pub- Negro*mother who was put in lic places like restaurants and hotels they jail because she and her family defended were not served. , themselves against a neighbor. Name Mrs. Terrell died last year but there ORGANIZED VOTERS are many monuments to honor her name After many years of teaching and forever. One is the fact that when you Address traveling, Mrs. Terrell began to believe visit our Capitol you will find it a little that she could never be satisfied - until more democratic than when Mrs. Terrell she gave almost all of her time and life first went to live there 60 years ago. to fighting these terrible things. She be- Another monument to Mrs. Terrell is came active in organizations that fought that she carried on the teachings of Fred- New Sub O Renewal O Gift Sub against racial discrimination. erick Douglass, who believed that the best She helped organize Negro people to . O) Send Gift Subs. to attached, list. way to fight for freedom—is every way. vote, so that they could elect their own 4 ) i As we honor her name, that is something — representatives to the government, She we will want to remember. 8 FREEDOM