“Oh, No, Brother, Nobody’s Going to Forget About Willie McGee” By SHIRLEY GRAHAM Willie liked a good time just as much as any- his death cell. body else. Some evenings he would shoot pool with Willie McGee’s steady, quiet voice is still. His feet “This incident I tried every way I could to avoid. the gang at Pete’s, sometimes he and Rosie, his wife, won’t walk no more and, for the first time since I left town and dodged her. She always ‘give me would take in a movie at the Strand, the one “For he was born, his hands are folded across his breast. down the country. Many times I have been picked Colored.” But Willie was smart. He worked hard But Willie McGee’s not dead. Oh, no, brothers, he’s up on Jefferson Street by Mrs. - - - leaving there and he never got into trouble—that is, not until not dead. He’s just planted in the soil of Mississippi off the Negro school grounds, going out Jefferson he did a job at that woman’s house and she saw Street to the Negro cemetery, in the good, black soil of Mississippi, and things him. bring me back at-the down there will never be the same no more. same place I get out the car, a 1937 Ford. I would Willie McGee was what they sometimes refer to go home. Just any time she wanted something Walking around Laurel, Willie was just one of the as a “likely buck.” He wasn’t so large but his body done she would come to the house and get me.” many black “boys” from across the tracks. He’d cost was firm and hard, his shoulders broad and his _ Rape—the Mississippi court. the sovereign State of Mississippi very little for smooth black skin rippled over flowing muscles. said. That’s a laugh! Only it wasn’t schooling and such. The town paid no attention to Easy to see that Willie was a good man. funny to Willie McGee, nor to Rosalee, his wife, or his four children. the street where he lived. Nobody ever saw a water He told how it was a few hours before they sprinkler going down that street. Even after Willie strapped him into the electric chair. They printed Nobody ever saw the like of what happened in married and was the father of 4 chlidren they called his words in the Jackson Daily News. Even people Jackson, the capital of Mississippi that weekend. him “boy.” That’s the way it was in Mississippi. in Mississippi know that a man don’t lie sitting in (Continued on Page 2)
Here’s ON THE INSIDE
Acheson Calls on Georgians My Story to Revolt By PAUL ROBESON editorial, p. 4 In the Freedom Family
p.5 UST GOT BACK from the West Coast and an The Story of Octavia exciting visit with trade Hawkins union leaders and rank and Vol. 1, No. 6 SUNE, 1951 oR 178 10c A Copy filers who are charting a new course in American la- bor history. The recent con+ vention: of . the National Union of Marine Cooks and Mass Demand Backs Court Fight Stewards. set a standard in labor’s struggle for the full rights and dignity of the Negro To Abolish Segregated Schools people that other unions in our country might do well to emulate, By DOXEY A. WILKERSON Revels Cayton, the dynamic HEN lawyers for the union leader who is now an or- ganizer for the NAACP went before Distribu- the three-man Federal Cir- tive, Processing cuit Court of Appeals in and Office Chariseton, S. C., on May 28, Workers in New with a petition York 7an a asking the George Mur- court to restrain and enjoin phy, our gen- the all-white county school eral manager Officials from effecting “any at FREEDOM, distinction based on race or made the trip color in making with) me and available to we all had au the plaintiffs whatever op- exciting and. fruitful time. portunities, advantages and “Rev” has his roots deep in the facilities are provided for Coast where for. many years School children in Clarendon before coming to New York, he County, South was the outstanding Negro Carolina,” a labor leader in a vast area that new high level was reached stretches from San: Diego to in the Negro’s historic strug- Seattle. He was leader of the gle for education. MCS, and was closely asso- Dixecrat Governor James Ss. ciated with the struggles of the Byrnes, anticipating International Longshoremen’s the pos- Sibility that the cases may and Warehousemen’s Union — suc- ceed, has repeated his the men who keep the cargo public announcement that “South moving on the docks and in Carolina will abolish the public the huge warehouses of the SEGREGATED EDUCATION was challenged by this group of high school students in Rich- school system before allowing coastal cities and whose presi- mond, Va., in 1948. Led by Lester Banks, state secretary, and (behind him) Martin A. Mar- Negroes and whites to attend dent, Harry Bridges, is one of tin attorney, of the NAACP, the group is met on the steps of King George High School by T. the same schools.” the finest union leaders of our Benton Gayle, county superintendent of schools, They demanded admission to the all-white school But Negro day. on the parents all over ground that the county had failed to provide equal facilities for them. Their request the For “Rey” it was like old South are proclaiming that was called “unreasonable” and “illegal.” Now the NAACP has taken its challenge of the school they will home week as we sat with his no longer tolerate system to the courts. such old colleagues in informal bull facilities as the primitive, run-down and unhealthful sessions which got to the heart Ne- gro elementary of the problem the MCS and DePriest Death Recalls Fighting Ga. Solon schools in School ali unions face: strengthening District 22 of Clarendon The recent death of Oscar DePriest, first County, the bond of unity between its upon its intrinsic merits, I wish the members where modern, spa- colored man ever elected to Congress from a Negro and white members, of this House to understand the position I cious, well-equipped elementary Northern state, focused attention on the Ne- The problem can be simply take. I hold that I am a member of this body. schools are provided for white gro’s historic role in the legislative affairs of children. stated: Therefore, sir, I shall neither fawn or cringe A similar suit has been the country. An AP dispatch claimed that filed by (1) The union faces the com- before any party, nor stoop to beg them for NAACP attorneys in DePriest, first elected from Chicago in 1928, bined attacks of government my rights....I am here to demand my rights, Prince Edward County, Va. was the second Negro elected to the House of agencies and greedy waterfront and to hurl thunderbolts at the men who The traditional and quite il- Representatives. The Negro, press quickly would dare to cross the threshold of my man- employers because of its unre- lusory goal of “separate but nailed this deliberate distortion, pointing out lenting fight for the economic hood. There is an old aphorism which says, equal” schools for Negroes is that 20 Negroes had served in the House before Fight the Devil with fire, and) if I should rights of its members and its ' abandoned in these cases. Here DePriest’s election, observe the rule in this instance, I wish is a new and fundamental chal- progressive, pro-peace pro- A prime example of the Negro’s fight to gram; gentlemen to understand that it is but fight- Jenge to the whole structure of hold on to the legislative toehold won after ing. them with their own weapon... . Segregated schools. Moreover, (2) The union can only with- the Civil War comes from Georgia. In 1868, 25 stand these attacks if the mem- unlike earlier challenges on the members of the State Legislature were ex- You may expel me, gentlemen, but I firm- graduate and _ professional bership stands solid behind a pelled because they were Negroes. Following ly believe that you will someday repent it. militant, uncompromising lead- school level, these new Virginia are excerpts from a speech delivered in the The black man cannot protect a country, if and South Carolina cases at- ership; Georgia House by Henry M. Turner, protesting (3) This solid unity of the the country doesn’t protect him; and if, to- tack school segregation at its the ouster order: morrow, a war should arise, I would not raise base, in the public elementary membership depends more than Mr. Speaker: (Continued on Page 2) Before proceeding to argue this question (Continued on Page 2) (Continued on Page 3) = Page 2 \ FREEDOM
Here’s My Utory
By Paul Robeson (Centinued from Page 1) world-wide struggle te save the tend the Korean war (under life of Willie McGee. And it the banner of Confederate ever on a new kind of fight against Jim Crow, not only in was a reassuring sign to see flags!) te the whole continent the men from the ships “hit union affairs and contract ne- of Asia by refusing to make the deck” in the Golden Gate an honorable peace of equality gotiations, but in every aspect of American life. Commandery Hall, owned by with the’ 475 million Chinese Macedonia Baptist’'Church, and people. Whether by the Mac- For the Negro members know vow vengeance against the Arthur or the Truman plan, it that their people are now suf- lynchers. makes little difference — for fering the most brutal and ecal- Most important, the key white they are both talking war, not eulated oppression in recent leaders of the union, Hugh peace; and the proud people memory—legal lynching, police Bryson, president, and Eddie} of Asia are still. “hordes” of brutality, arson, bombings, mob Tangen, secrétary - treasurer, “eoolies” and “gooks” in their violence—all manner of insult recognized that their special sight. and injury—and they are look- responsibility was, not simply ing to the union not only as They would turn Africa — to ride the wave of indignation the guarantor of their “perk emerging from the status ef a and red-hot militancy of the chops” but as a special defend- slave continent — into a blaz- Negroes, but, above all, to lead er of their rights and their very ing inferno in order te erush the white membership to an lives as well. the independence movements understanding of its stake in en the West Coast, the Sudan After one of those all-night the fight for Negro freedom. and South Africa, and in order Sessions, I came away with the to increase the fabulous wealth feeling that the MCS will cer- For one thing is becoming which the Morgans, Firestones, tainly settle this question in clearer every day. If the Ne- Mellons, DuPonts and Rockefel- the right way. And the main gro’s struggle for liberation is lers are extracting from the reason for this confidence is ‘erushed under the hammer imexpressible subjugation and the splendid group of Negro blows ef American racists, the misery of our African brothers leaders—men like Joe Johnson, whole labor movement will go and sisters. Charlie Nichols and Al Thibo- down with it. The racist and the labor-hater have the same deaux—who combine with their They. would do all these sterling leadership in the gen- face—big business. The indus- things—if they could. To date “Now | say old man, your talk of treating Negroes as equals is all trialist and plantation owner eral affairs of the union a con- they have been stopped in their very well. But how would you like to have ene marry your sister?” stant battle to win the entire who want to return Negroes te tracks. by the steel-like will of membership for actions, not slavery alse want to return all Asia’s millions, by the deter- just words, around the vital labor to the sweatshop. And if mined liberation struggles of problems that face the hem- white workers want to keep Africa’s sons and daughters, by ““Nobody’s Going to Forget med-in, hard-pressed, Negro their unions and their hard- the stubborn resistance of the communities of the nation. won rights they'd better move people of Europe who suffered They are important figures in fast to see that Negro Ameri- most from Hitler’s maniacal About Willie McGee .. .” cans gain their long-lost lib- Jabor circles who have refused plan—and by the fact that they (Continued from Page 1) fools” in jail, how they beat to become so “intergrated” that erties. are not alone in possession of With the courts all set on them. They told him that all they could forget their begin- “the bomb.” the rest “ran away,'scared as nings and their main strength ro} THE LESSON of Hit- execution people came appeal- ler Germany which we must More and more, however, the ing to the Governor. They came hell.” They asked him “What’s —among the masses of their never forget and which I never American war-minded madmen to hold a “Sunrise Prayer Meet- you gonna do now, Willie?” people. We need more labor tire of telling to American must feel the resistance of ing” in behalf of Willie MeGee. They waited to see him break leaders like them, and like the working men and women. The THEIR OWN COUNTRYMEN. “On the night of May 4 crewds down. But Willie never said a ILWU’s Bill Chester, through- word. out the land. labor leaders who stood aside They must be openly chal- began. streaming inte Jacksen in the early thirties and saw Jenged and defeated, lest our by automobile, chartered bus, Early Monday morning they F ALL MY CONNECTIONS six million Jews set upon were country ge down the shameful Greyhound, train and a few by asked him, “You know whai’s with working men and soon, themselves, in exile, in read along which Hitler led airplane. Negro and white folks, going to happen tenight, Wil- women, there is none of which the good earth, or — if their Germany to destruction and Negro women from all the sur- lie? You know what day this I am more proud than my hon- knees were flexible enough and degradation. rounding country and white is?” And Willie said, “I aint a orary membership in MCS. I their souls craven enough —in women from as far away as talkin’ man.” 1 MAY BE‘a few high- shall always cherish fond mem- Hitler’s phony “labor front.” New York. They came from Willie sat quiet by a big brewn ories of the convention in the placed stooges in hand-me- Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, box filled with his clothes. He And no sooner had Hitler Fillmore district of San Fran- down jobs who will try to get Virginia and Texas—white folks told the reporter he’d washed crushed the natural opposition the Negro people to go along cisco, of the wonderful audi- and black, men and women, old them himself while he was in to his oultandish campaign to ence of union men, their wives with the program of our would- and young—all night they jail. He took out a cigarette, “stop Communism,” save ““West- ahd friends for whom I had be world conquerers. But they came. You could hear their feet fumbling because his hands the honor to sing and speak. ern civilization,’ and preserve couldn’t be found at the MCS were shackled. After a while a “Aryan supremacy,” than he beating hard on the ground. But here again, the main convention. Instead there were The prayer meeting wads reporter gave him a light, but plunged Germany and the hard-working union men, talk- drama of the convention , he didn’t ask for it. “What was was world into the holocaust of ing and fighting for their peo- to be found not only in. the the blues song you was singing a World War Il. ple’s rights and for a decent public mass méetings, but in today?” asked the reporter’ Then it was not merely the life for all workingmen. They the working sessions, commit- “Wasn't. no blues,” said Willie. tee meetings, national council Jews or the working class of are,emerging not only as union “A hymn.” “Sing it for us Europe that suffered, but all leaders, put as the rightful discussions, and caucuses which Willie.” The lady reporter asked 7 a mankind — men and women; stewards of the affairs of our hammered out a fighting pro- real-nice. tall and short; entire people in their commun- gram for peace, security, and black, brown, Willie took a long, thoughtful yellow and white; Mason, Pyth- ity organizations. And one must equality. And I mean real draw. He sucked in the smoke ian, and Etk; businessman, in- mention the splendid women Vie equality, not just the paper and held it in his throat. He kind! tellectual and _ professional; who are fighting by the side seemed to draw in its strength, Catholic, Methodist, Presby- of their men in MCS and It would be hard then let it go from his for MCS to terian, and Baptist—hard shell ILWU! mouth have any other in a thin wisp. And his kind of pro- and soft shell, too! voice gram and survive. Fully 40 per The convention’ was a sign came strong and clear. Nobedy that the resistance to war, pov- cent of its membership is Ne- How WELL SHOULD this his- in the room moved while he erty and prejudice is growing gro; and more than 60 per cent tory of our times be re- sang! where it needs most to grow, of the convention delegates membered! Today’s would-be My Father knows, my among working men and wom. Father were colored members. The Hitlers are not in Germany; en who have at stake in this understands convention took place during they are right here in the struggle their whole future When I see Jesus He'll the last stirring days in the United States. They would ex- and that of their children. The knew the reason why focus of the struggle today is Willie McGee My father knows...” on whether we can force pay- He “never did bredk Recall Ga. Solon’s Fight ment on the promises which down. scheduled for 7 a.m. By 6 o’clock They said there was something Georgia, have been made to the Negro (Continued from Page 1) unless Georgia ac- two police cars appeared. A half cocky about the way he took knowledges people for 87 years—and never that you are men, hour later some 200 his seat in the electric chair. a musket to defend a country kept. If we don’t cash in on city and and invests you with the highway ‘ patrol. cars were My God, they asked, what’s where my manhood is denied. them, then the American prom- he rights pertaining to manhood. Swarming into four square get to be cocky about? The fashionable way in isory note of the good life, He sure You may expel us, gentle- blocks near the Capitel. When didn’t act like he was scared. Georgia when hard work is to men, by your democratic government and votes, today; but, people kept pressing into the Well, he won’t sing again. He be done, is, for the white man while you do it, remember human equality will be as that Square cops jumped out and won’t walk about either, or te sit at his ease, while the there is a just phony as a nine dollar bill to take Ged in Heaven, started arresting everybody Rosie to the Strand. Forget black man does the work; but, whose All-seeing everybody else. Eye’ beholds they could lay their hands en, about it? Oh, no, brother, no- sir, I will say this much to the alike the acts of the oppressor The MCS convention meant They used their clubs. By and body’s going to forget about colored men of Georgia, as if and the oppressed, and who, to me that the Negro people by all the jails in Jackson were Willie McGee. He’s planted in I should be killed in this eam- despite the machinations of have some wonderful allies in \ crammed. paign, I may have no oppor- the good, rich soil of Mississippi the wicked, never fails te vin- our jeb of seeing that there’s In another jail a few miles 4 tunity of telling them at any and everybody knows that good dicate the cause of Justice, some “promise-keeping” done away Willie MeGee was told q other time: Never lift a finger seed dropped in that soil-grews. and the sanctity of His own —but quick! It was sure good what had happened. They told Yes, Lawd, like a tree planted | & mor raise a hand in defense of se handiwork. to be there! him how they put these “erazy beside the waters—it grows! ;
FREEDOM Page 3 OCTAVIA HAWKINS Modern Harriet Tubman Fights a a for Peace, o- me Freedom on Chicago's Teeming Southside 7 *~ CHICAGO—The spirit of So- retary of UAW-CIO Local 453 talion of southern Negro and War II, shorfly after journer Truth and Harriet —which embraces 6,000 white she was | 45. “foreign” child laborers in hired at the Maremont Auto» Tubman didn’t dissolve with and Negro workers—the most Chicago’s unorganized sweat- motive Corp. where she ~~. the end of the Civil War. » progressive UAW local in Chi- is shops. Working an eight-hour presently employed as a. welder. It’s throbbing today in the cageland. day at the Nachman Spring eye Unfortunately, too little breast of one Octavia Hawkins The midwestern labor move- Co., she attended Wendell Phil- is heard about such rank-and- of Chicago. ment has no greater champion lips high school at night and file women leaders . a Now, Mrs. Hawkins is 114 of world peace. Labor’s strug- as Octavia graduated in five years. Hawkins. She- -pounds of human dynamite gle for Negro and women’s and sister work- ers who has spent the greater part rights is years ahead because Works as Welder will hardly gain the pub- licity: of ker 42 years blasting away of this fiery little woman. The Even as a teen-ager she dis- of the Edith Sampsons and at the bastions of American UAW - CIO could use several played avheart and thlent for other cross-country club women. race prejudice. thousand more MEN and wo- leadership. Her. stubborness However, she is loved men like her. broke down a segregated rest- and respected in her commun- She is a restless mother of iby. five children dedicated to tne Mrs. Hawkins’ militancy is room at Nachman’s and later “The struggle of shaping a world not a remantic adventure. she became the workers’ top struggle for world representative in wage nego- Peace, the where all children will have an “Everything I do is absolutely fight fer labor’s mecessary for my own exist- tiations. Management got emancipation, the fight for Ne- equal chance to develop ac- gro rights cording to their abilities. She ence,” she'll tell you. smart and kicked her upstairs and women’s rights “The history of my race, the into a supervisor’s job. But the can not be separated. The fu- is a real handsome woman promotion didn’t bowl her ture belongs to with thin streaks of gray in history of my economic class, those whe see over, this clearly,” her hair and big deep - set my personal experiences as a says Mrs, Octavia Hawkins Hawkins, eyes that reflect both hepe and woman give me but one choice She was profoundly dis- weariness. —if I am to be honest with gro Labor Council. turbed over the fact that she The masses who gather on myself.” and hundreds of other white Chicago This Hawkins woman could Octavia escaped the Ku Klux street corners and res- and Negro workers did not pond be called a radical—but she Born in Georgia Klan-plantation rule of Geor- to her plea for cry earn enough to purchase a rights, the is no radical without a rudder. Ia her predominantly male gia, when her widowed mother members of her Nachman mattress—a product church who are She knows where she’s goe- plant she has a seven-year his- brought her and five other chil- touched by created by their own hands. her profound feeling ing and what it takes te get tory as chief steward and com- dren to Chicago when the la- for what That problem on a world-wide is right, the working there. Her forte is the labor mitteewoman and is today bor leader was three years old. men and scale continues to disturb this women in her movement and she is one of president of the shop. She is But at 14 she learned how they union who woman. weigh her counsel its most eloquent spokesmen. a founder and former vice- do it the Yankee way. — they all Mrs. Hawkins’ introduction know that they have met Mrs, Hawkins is financial sec- president of the Southside Ne- She joined that endless bat- the to Local 453 came during World future in Octavia Hawkins.
ly with the far superior schools fer the Negro that can only Mass Demand Backs Court Fight of the controlling white min- bring trouble and_ bitterness ority. And it is there that this and disappointment.” unjust and oppressive state of But the affairs gives rise to the deepest Negro Press and Ne- To Abolish Segregated gre people Schools and most widespread resent- generally hail this latest and most basic*ehallenge ment among the Negro masses. (Continued from Page 1) to tiens at Robert R. Moten High ised the Negro community for the inequalities inherent in The role of the NAACP in the Jim and secondary schools of the “Schoei, located in Farmville the past five years. Crow education. A full- struggles for equal educational Black Belt. and serving Negro pupils page spread in the Chicago The striking students set up facilities has been outstanding, Defender Both of these cases began on throughout Prince Edward bears the eight-col- headquarters in the basement especially during the past two lower levels of struggle — County. The struggle reached num head: ‘THE BiG SHOW- of a local church; conducted decades. Now, responding to against “discrimination” and its climax with a two-week DOWN IN So. CAROLINA—JIM student strike. Fed up with picket lines around the scheel; militant struggles among the CROW SCHOOLS “inequalities” within the seg- sent a. delegation to present FACZ TOUGH. their long outmoded, poorly southern Negro masses, NAACP TEST.” regated school pattern; and it their demands to the superin- An Afro-American edi- equipped and greatly over- has raised the demand for the torial acclaims was in the course of these lim- tendent of schools; and vowed: the Virginia crowded school building—con- abolition of public school seg- case in an ited struggles that the Negro “We are going to hold out for editorial entitled: regation altogether—a demand, “HERE’S citizens involved found it nec- trasting sharply with the two THE ANSWER.” The modern high school buildings either a new building or ad- incidentally, which strikes deep Norfolk Journal essary to move forward to the mittance to the school now be- & Guide edi- serving a much smaller popula- at the whole Jim Crow struc- torializes: “The more basic demand for the ing used by while pupils.” They inevitable turn tion—the 455 students at the ture upon which the super- from equalization complete abolition of the sys- were backed by. Negro citizens suits to the Moten School left their classes exploitation and oppression of more far-reaching tem of school segregation. of the community, more than action to on Aprii 23, demanding that the Negro people rests. abolish segregation 1,000 of whom met on April 26 was expect- Students Strike the all-white school board set ed when and voted unanimously to ask thé fundamental nature of some counties made The Virginia case grew out a definite date by which con- only token moves the National Assn. for the Ad- this demand is reflected in the to carry out of a long series of protests struction would begin on the decrees of the vancement of Colored People to sharp reaction to the Prince Federal courts, against the intolerable condi- new high schoo! building prom- and some other countries take steps to eliminate the seg- Edward and Clarenden County made ho move at all.” regated school system which cases by spokesmen for the now prevails. Bourbon South. Not only de the ‘Teacher, May | Leave the Room?" governors of South Carolina New Stage Negro Majority and Virginia; among others, It is clear that a new stage has been reached The students returned toe threaten to close down all pub- in the strug- gle lic schools if the courts out- of the Negro people for free school only after the NAACP and democratic agreed’ to back a formal peti- law segregation. schools. This is- sue now takes tion by 33 Farmville pupils and its place aleng- Bourbon Reaction side the Negro’s fight their patents demanding ad- for the ballot and for election mission to the public schools The Richmond News-Leader to of- fice as a main focus of without regard to race. That declares undying oposition to the mounting movement for equal- petition is now before the having “white and colored boys ity in the South, county school board, and’ will and girls mingling intimately be taken to the federal courts during the formative years of In the course of these strug- when the board turns it down. adolescence”; and asserts, with gles for democratic reforms— customary under-estimation of in the schools, in the franchise, It is no accident that both the Negro masses: “We cannot and on other fronts—the Negro of these basic challenges to believe that Virginia Negroes people will grow in unity and public school segregation arose comprehend the grim path militancy. They will continue in agricultural communities in down which their leaders are to learn the inadequacy of lim- the Black Belt., Negroes con- pushing: them.” ited demands within the over- stitute close to four-fifths of all structure The Richmond Times-Dis- of Jim Crow op- ‘the total population in Claren- pression patch threatens “friction, trou- maintained by the don County, and more than Bourbon lackeys of ble, and even violence-. . ..if the imper- half of the total in Prince Ed- jialist rulers of the South. In ward County. It is precisely in Segregation .in the. public schools is suddenly knocked out the Black Belt areas of Negro such predominately Negro areas majority population, they will of. the agrarian -South that by court decree throughout the - South.” oné day raise the fundamental Negro-white school inequalities demand to exercise their right IT’S FACILITIES like stifs “toilet” in a Negro school in South have always been most marked. The Roanoke World-News to govern themselves. And Carolina that are responsible for the demand for an end to Jim It is there that the impov- warns: “Attempts to forcé open there will yet be an America Crow education, erished schools of the Negro white schools to attendance’ of in which this right can be fully majority contrast most glaring- colored pupils is a cruel illusion achieved. ©
Page 4 FREEDOM Editorial The Meaning of Willie McGee Our Cup is Full and Running Over PHL DREW "6° WHERE YOU MAY, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shame- less hypocrisy, America reigns wihtout a rival.” These words were spoken by Frederick Douglass to a group of white ladies who had gathered to celebrate the GRO DISCRIMIN A\ 5p nation’s Independence Day in Rochester, N. Y., on July 5, 1852. | Without changing a word or comma, they may be used to describe the state of civil liberties in the United States 100 years later. 1 May, 1951, might well be called the bloody month of May. The pages of this paper could easily be filled with accounts of the police murders, criminal arson, legal lynch- ings and mob violence that have been visited upon a brave and unoffending people these past 31 days. Bones CUP OF OUR ANGUISH and anger is brim-full. Do not let it spill. over, America! We have had mére than enough of the burnings, the lynchings, the mobs rid- ing at night! ; We call upon all decent. Americans—and to our friends in labor in the first place—to join us in calling a halt to the “revolting barbarity” which is the hallmark of America’s treatment of the Negro.
PRIME EXAMPLE of the nation’s “shameless hypoc- risy” is contained in a recent speech of Dean Acheson, WE RESERVE | son, Secretary of State. Mr, Acheson had the THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE Right Wiessage — Wrong Address
The Secretary called upon the people of Georgia to throw off the dictatorship under which they live and join the American people in the enjoyment of democratic freedoms.
But, as you might\suspect, Acheson was talking (via ‘xxitS CARTOON the Voice of America) to the people of Georgia, U. S.S. R., appeared in the “Dispatcher,” official paper of the International Longshore- men’s and Warehousemen’s not Georgia, U.S. A. Union, San Francisco, With it was an editorial which concluded: ; “Our union, and its officers and locals are no longer going to be judged by 15 million American It just so happens that the people of ‘Negro people, Georgia, U.S. S. R. 90 per cent of whom are workers, solely upon a willingness to open ranks to Negro workers and merely seem to be doing all right. They were an oppressed nation defend their rights under a union contract. The crucial judgment will be made upon how under the Czar, but one of their sons has become the head well we recognize the force oftheir great movement, the depth of that force, and the true reasons of the government in the enitre that lie behind the execution of Willie McGee and the attempted Soviet Union. His name is frameups of outstanding leaders of the Negro people.such as the venerable and beloved scholar, Joseph Stalin. Dr. W. E- B. DuBois.” Of course, there’s no chance that the people of Georgia, U.S.S.R., will fall for the Acheson line and turn their ——LETTER COLUMN Republic into the Jim Crow, Klan-ridden “paradise” which is Georgia, U.S. A. Get It And there’s no chance that Negroes will pay any at- Off Your Chest tention to the State Department’s blarney until some of the distinguished Negro sons and daughters of Georgia Praying for Peace the destiny of the world? Why understanding have a chance to become president of the great in the U.S.A., or at We are praying for the all this tremendous expendi- struggle for Negro liberation’ least Secretary of ture of life and State, or U.S. Senator, or member of peace and security of all the resources? The than we have had here so far. reasons given are the House of Representatives. nations of this earth, for unity too vague to Tell Paul we are planning a and happiness and the expect- justify the sacrifices. caravan of cars to his recept- The people who ations of the youth to live and are loudest tion in Seattle, from the log- in supporting prosper in a world at peace. the country’s ging camp in which we work. NOTE ON THE course COST OF LIVING As a minister of God’s gospel of action make the least Brick Moir Sacrifice. We visited the rest room in the main ~having the interests of the peo- Hoquiam, Wash. branch of the The United New York Public Library the other ple in keeping with my own, I States of the day—the one where you present is not the country put a nickel in the am still praying to God that its Freedom for California slot, enter a little private booth and— founders dreamed of. This is read the all the peace proposals be giv- I would like to do everything newspaper in solitude. But this time the nickel en their due and the Chinese Truman America, not the peo- ple’s I can to bring Freedom to my wouldn’t work! The price has been hiked to ten cents. people let alone. - America as Lincoln as- serted. city, so please send me some ~ Who said the cost of living hasn’t The poor working classes Subscription blanks and doubled? Joseph Calvin I will hate war. We have war because do all I can to get Chicago, Hl, new readers a certain class of warmongers for Freedom. I believe. it is and they are a small group of A Necessity just what we need. the rich, not wage-earners— Race Williams The wonderful, inspiring have set out to make war and ar- Del Paso Heights, Calif. rake in loads of loot out of the ticles in Freedom are a neces- tragedy of the maimed. sity for any who wish to un- Afraid of Truth Bishop M.L. Deborah derstand the struggles of the What has happened Brooklyn, N. ¥. Negro people for justice with and Paul equality. Robeson’s passport ease? It’s a shame Whose America? Morton Shafer that this great American is Bear in mind that the trag- Rochester, N.Y. not allowed to travel freely in edy in Korea is only “police order to sing to Published monthly by Freedom the people of Associates action.” Police action is not From a Logging Camp the world and 53 West 125th Street, New carry the message York 27, N.Y. Phone: ENright 9-3980 confined to Korea alone but of the Ne-— I wish to congratulate Free- gro’s fight EDITORIAL for justice to the BOARD: PAUL ROBESON, Chairman; takes a terrible toll in our own dom for one of the most color- far corners of the earth. The Reyels Cayton, Shirley Graham, Alphaeus Hunton, country. Why should the citi- ful and. close-to-the-people Modjeska M. Simkins. government is afraid of him Editor: LOUIS zens of this country forfeit Papers E. BURNHAM — General Manager: GEORGE B. MURPHY, out in a long time. Its because, like all corrupt Jr. their citizenship rights to sat- editorial reg- policy and Paul Robe- imes, it is afraid of truth. 10c per copy; subscription rate—$1,00 « yeor isfy the cupidity of a petty son’s great contributions give Ferdinand Graham group of men for power over to us white workers a deeper Battle Creek, Mich. FREEDOM ‘Page 5_ Chicago Peace Congress Makes Demand: inthe Freedom Family| By GEORGE B. MURPHY, Jr. ‘Bring the Boys Home tor, and long-time fighter for to Fight Jim-Crow’ Peace Spent two weeks on the Coast and civil rights; Frances Williams, By CHARLOTTE DORSEY peace on earth, for with Paul last month — and Jerry Nicholas; Jonn the right be hailed at a Cultural Festival Forrester, to live and bring up their chil- what a time! Don’t have space executive secretary “The sword wielded by Gen- which will give expression to of the dren free from the horrors of to tell about all we did, Los Angeles Negro Labor eral Jim Crow cannot bring the creative energies of the but 1 war. must mention some of the Council. freedom to anyone—colored or people who want peace in order And, white—here, or abroad.” And the peace can be ‘won, to live a fuller and richer life. brothers, sisters, nieces, nep- of course, Adele Young, judging from the enthusiastic hews, cousins, uncles and aunts This simple truth, expressed Round Table discussions will who runs the famous Hugh reports daily reaching the who are California members of in the Call to the Negro People take up “Civil Rights and Mili- Gordon Bookshop in American Peace Crusade at our growing Freedom Family. L.A. This for the American People’s Con- tarization,’ “Colonialism and is a bookstore 1186 Broadway in New York, founded by a gress and Exposition for Peace, War,” Standards of Living and There’s Bill Chester, regional which is sponsoring the Con- former Negro janitor tells why the Negro people will the War Budget,” “Educating director of the International in the gress. Peace councils and com- L.A. City be well represented at the Our Children—for War or Longshore and Warehouse- Health Dept., and mittees have been springing up what’s mammoth Congress to be held Peace?” Workshops will then men’s Union, the kind of Ne- more he left money in all over the country, coordi- gro labor leader who backs in the Chicago Coliseum June hammer out methods of meet- his will years ago which made nating all the local groups up his love for this 29, 30 and Juiy 1. ing such questions as discrimi- paper by it possible to epen “Thousands working for peace. going out and getting more the store. of yaliant sons - nation arising from the war Miss Young Youth groups are sponsoring than 50 subscriptions in a few is a tireless worker of Negro citizens—the shock drive, and special problems of for FREEDOM. troops and labor battalions of a “Bring Our. Boys Home” cam- Jabor, youth, women and farm- days; Mrs. Ethel Chester, his She sells 300 a Jim: Crow army—are among paign in connection with Me- ers. wife, an active leader in build- copies monthly and has worked morial Day. They are collecting ing the Negro Labor Council out the legions of dead and wound- An interfaith devotional serv- a city-wide program for ed Americans signatures on giant postcards and: its women’s auxiliary in and Koreans,” ice and sports meet will con- getting more subs and to deliver personally to the San Francisco; Mrs. Flossie readers the call reminds. elude the busy schedule. for the paper White House in Washington. Ainsworth, Marine during the next “Let the sword be put aside. Many who cannot get to Chi- Cooks and Stewards office staff member six-month period. Let our government. recognize Peace Poll eago for the meeting will the nations participate as “corresponding and executive secretary of the These are the many of Asia and all the Church and women’s groups cousins, delegates”—sending their expe- S.F. Negro Labor Council. brothers, sisters, uncles, world as free and equal, and are among the most ardent aunts, riences and proposals in writ- all members of our ‘take peace with them. Let our workers for peace. Foremost Everybody applauded and FREEDOM ing. family, with whom troops ‘be brought home from among their activities is the stamped up and down at the we enjoved Korea Heading the list of distin- many hours of work to labor together with conduct oi a Peace Poll which convention when Senora Al- and pleas- \ guished sponsors of the Con- ure. Our family all for true equality.” is recording the. overwhelming feredo, who hails from Nicar- is growing by gress’s Call to the Negro People leaps and bounds, The urgent desire for peace desire for peace among people agua, spoke her piece. She’s the and the pa- are Mrs. Eslande Robeson and per is growing too. Swelling through the cities and in all walks of life. They are mother of the rank-and-filers Rev. Edward McGowan. countryside will find dramatic shooting for a goal of 10 mil- and Paul’s mother too. Widening sections of the Ne- * 2 «* expression in the great Expo- licn votes by the time the Con- John Flowers, gro people are joining the peace of the ILWU, sition for Peace. Five thousand gress convenes. who is out to match his 1,000- camp as the contradictions of We've been receiving a lot of ‘delegates. are expected from One of the features of this Signature Stockholm the imperialist war hit home. Peace ap- enthusiastic mail about the every state in the union, more unique Exposition for Peace is peal_record with 1,000 subs for The spectacle of Jim-Crowed Powerful editorial drawings than 1,000 of them Negro. They the cultural contest which is FREEDOM. He’s already troops dying in battle against ob- Which appear in each issue will represent widely varying enlisting the talents of writers, tained his first 100 subs; Mrs. of the looked-down-upon colored FREEDOM. Thought youd political, religious and_ social musicians, artists, poets and Mollie Berry, wife of a member races of Asia, while at home want to know the man who’s views, but one common aim will dramatists in the cause of peace. of the Scalers Union, who. is discrimination and violence in- Tesponsible for them, so—meet unite them—the need to win The prize-Winning entries will creases, is too hard to swallow. active in the leadership of the Oliver Harrington. S.F. Negro Labor Council. Death Rattle “Ollie” is our art editor and Joe Johnson, long-time ‘be- we think the ‘finest political MCS Union Bases Policy P. L. Prattis, executive editor loved leader of the MCS, and cartoonist in thé country. Of of the conservative Pittsburgh port agent at Wilmington, Cali- course, we're Courier, warns that “the United fornia; and his wife, Loretta; prejudiced On Fight for Negro Rights States cannot be in the fore- but Charlie Nichols, MCS_ port we're not alone front of white men’s armies By JANE GILBERT When delegates “hit the agent at Seattle, Washington. in our fighting yellow and brown men est deck” to speak on issués before Both Charlie and Joe are high- mate of in Asia, That will turn these his . The recent 50th anniversary ly respected Negro labor lead- talents. the convention, representatives Asiatics, upon whem we depend convention of the Marine Cooks of all groups lined’ up before ers, who have a fighting tra- The American (for vital raw materials) to- dition behind them and they & Stewards was a public event the floor microphone. When Institute of ward others who do not fight are both FREEDOM builders. in San Francisco, The commu- committees reported, chairmen Graphic Arts nity and the trade union move- them to win them.” ...... were Negro, Gentile, Jewish, Osby Taylor, who stood up has just an- ment was invited to attend Chinese. And J. A. Rogers, columnist firmly before - the Maritime nounced the in the same paper, comments sessions—and did, on a couple Screening Committee and re- selection of of occasions packing the meet- Invited guests and visitors on the Korean situation: “I Harrington fused to be a stoolpigeon, and ee tein es = ing hall out to the sidewalk. to the convention reflected the have good reason to believe is out of a job. ton’s cover and illustrations The convention was note- same thing. There were Negro that there are even millions of for the book The Runaway worthy in a number of respects churchmen and community colored Americans who love Abigail Bryson, brilliant and Ele- phant, by Ellen Terry, but one unique feature im- leaders, Filipino, Japanese, Ne- this land of their birth very beautiful daughter of Mexico, for an award in its 29th pressed itself upon the hun- gro, Chinese trade unionists dearly and are sacrificing their singer and guitarist, who man- annual selec- tion of the Fifty dreds who came to listen to the from all branches of organized loved ones, too, who feel that ages to help her husband Hugh Best American Books. So far as we’ve proceedings. labor. a Chinese defeat means defeat Bryson, president of the MCS been able to determine, this That was the representation All this didn’t just “happen.” for colored humanity. Distort- and watch over their two chil- is the first time a Negro artist and active participation of Delegates time and again ed! Fantastic! you'll say, but dren; Sylyia and Eddie Tan- has been thus cited by the Members of minority groups, took note of the fact that this in a land where mere color of gent. Eddie is secretary-treas- Institute. particularly Negro, in the life unique feature of the conven- skin can send men even to their urer of MCS. “Ollie” was educated in the New York of the union. This is nothing tion was the result of a vigor- death, as was the case of Willie Mrs. Washington, outstanding City public schools, Teceived new in MCS. Though many un- ously pursued’ policy that was McGee and the Martinsville Negro business woman of Berk- his BA at Yale and ions have Negroes and other the source of MCS strength as Seven, what can you expect?” eley, who polled a large vote his MFA at the Yale School of minorities among their mem- a trade union. The Afro-American editorial- when she ran for State Comp- Fine Arts. He was art editor for the People’s bers, the West Coast cooks and The secret, they said, was ized along the same lines: “The troller on the Independent Pro- Voice, World War II overseas stewards union has led them unity, most particularly Negro- days of colonialism, subjugated gressive Party ticket; Mary correspondent for the Pittsburgh all in aggressive enforcement white unity, built consciously in peoples and the ‘white man’s Helen Jones, dynamic léader, Courier, and public relations. of a non-discrimination policy. day-to-day struggle and by burden’ are numbered: the executive secretary of the Oak- director of the This convention, celebrating taking special steps to bring death rattle can already be land Negro Labor Council; NAACP. ‘the half-century mark, offered Negroes and others into ‘all heard in the throat of white Mason Roberson, columnist~on At present he produces the _ to the community a tangible phases of union activity. For supremacy.” the People’s World; Harry most famous cartoon in the and dramatic expression of the example, white officers stepped And from “somewhere in Bridges, long-time fighting Negro press—“Dark Laughter” flowering of this policy. aside in union elections last Korea” a GI wrote the National president of the ILWU; Dr. —for the Pittsburgh Courier, For example, take the ses- year to assure the elevation of Negro Press Association: “Just Carlton Goodlett, courageous He also does “Jive Gray,” a sions themselves. Of the 5,000 Negro brothers to leadership. what am I fighting for? Maybe S.F. civie leader and former comic strip for the Courier, members, some 60 per cent be- NAACP president; Johnny Wal- This. policy was given a you can tell me what I am busies himself with book illus- Jong to minority groups, about fighting for.” : ker and Claude Saunders, ILWU thorough going-over at the trations and teaches drawing 40 per cent Negro, the other 20 stalwarts; Scotty Ballard, Riff dramatic night session devoted The delegates to the great and painting at New York’s per cent Puerto Rican, Chinese, Raff Roth, and Jimmy Herman to discussion of a resolution on Exposition for Peace will know Jefferson School of Social Mexicans, Filipino and others. of MCS; Leo Christiansen, Dave common struggles of Negro and what they are fighting for. The Science. More than half the delegates slogan “Bring our boys home to Jenkins, Elisa Stinson and a white workers, which was at- Were brothers and sisters of host of others, all members in tended by hundreds of visitors fight Jim Crow” carries signifi- minority groups, rank-and-fil- cant meaning for every soldier good standing of FREEDOM’s ers elected on the ships and in from the Negro community and family. trade union movement. in the campaign for peace. It JIM CROW PAYS OFF the ports. signifies the equality and op- In Los: Angeles, where we Victor Perlo, And the officers. The 13-man As Joe Johnson, MCS Wil- portunity for a democratic way the noted ecu= spent a day, the Civil Rights nomist, in his recently general council, the governing | mington port-agent and Negro of life that will be possible only pub- Congress, under the able diree- lished book, “American body of the union, is composed leader, put it: “A successful when this country abandons its Imperi- tion of Margie Robinson, alism, shows that of six white and seven minority struggle for peace, for wages, racist, imperialist“ war plans the special group brothers’ (four Negro, two brought out nearly 3,000 to exploitation of Negroes in Am- and conditions must be cen- and heeds the voices of mil- hear Paul sing and speak. Here Jewish and one Chinese-Ameri- | tered’ around Negro-white erican economic life results in lions crying for peace and Wwe saw Mrs. Charlotta A. Bass, $4 billion in extra ean). unity.” ; brotherhood. profits for courageous Negro women edi- big business interests, SORTA ROMEO BRN ee i
Page 6 FREEDOM
e China ‘Boy’ Is Now China Man; MORANDA SMITH is shown, right, with Paul Robeson on one Millions Free of Foreign Rule of Mr. Robeson’s many visits te By ESLANDA GOODE ROBESON practically. owned China and North . Carolina certainly ran it for their private Every Negro will be able to understand and appreciate benefit, ganged up and did te take part in what is going on in New China. Every Negro who has been everything they could—includ- the organizing called “George” regardless of his right name, “Uncle” re- ing supporting and fighting a struggles of Lo- cal 22 and Local gardless of his relationship, “Boy” regardless of his age; terrible civil war—to prevent the Chinese people from re- 16 of the Dis- tributive, . Pro- every: Negro who has been possessing their own country. called names, pushed around, cessing and Of- made to work hard for little For years the people worked fice Workers’ of and fought and died, and final- America. Mr. money; who has been pre- ly, last October a year ago, they. Robeson ap- vented from acquiring skills won that fight, drove the for- peared at Miss and a good education; who eigners and the feudal lords off Smith’s funeral the mainland of China to For- services last
has been forced to live in a “The Bottom,” “across the mosa, and set up their own year and has Central Peoples Government, prepared a spe-
tracks,” in “colored town,” y- cial message for a who has not been allowed to “Slow Boat” to China the June 3: me- v
enter the public libraries, I had always thought if I morial service. wa =e parks, theatres, stores; were ever lucky enough to go te e every Negro who has been China I would go by “slow NY denied proper respect, hu- boat,” and of course put in at Shanghai or Hongkong. You Memorial Held at Grave man dignity and human know, the fascinating glamor- area Meech rights——all these Negroes ous harbors of the Far East, t will be able to understand teeming with rickshaws and Of Moranda Smith, June 3 ME
and fully appreciate what is Mrs. Robeson coolies, junks and sampans, ex- Tobacco workers in Winston date of the beloved union te happening in the Chinese otic people in pajamas and Salem, N.C. will assemble June leader. bs Peoples Republic. and “Yes Ma’am” to the white basket hats; and, according to 3 at the burial place of the latg “Her untimely death, in the the movies and the novels, a colonial foreigners whe ruled Mrs. Moranda Smith for a prime of her life, was a great Is them and issued the orders. hint of opium in the dark memorial service in her honor. shock to her family, friends and In the New China the. old AR corners. to the labor and Negro people’s Mrs. Smith, whe served as ae familiar signs “CHINESE AND The Chinese people have re- South Atlantic regional director movement,” the committee’s DOGS NOT ALLOWED” have covered China. They now run Well, just to show how wrong announcement said. We
of the Food, Tobacco and Agri- agi been torn down. The Chinese their country for themselves you can be, the more than hint cultural Workers Union, died A monument will be unveiled people now live in the interna- and not for the benefit of for- of opium, morphine, heroin,
last April 13. “as a lasting tribute to the hae tional settlements and conces- eigners. China “boy” is China cocaine turned out to be right In announcing the service, memory of an heroic Southern sions in their cities, which were MAN now, and every Negro will here in the light corners and the Moranda Smith Memorial worker who dedicated herself 2 formerly reserved for whites appreciate this and be glad even in the schoolrooms of the Committee noted that June 3 to the fight of freedom, eco- only, for the foreign govern- about it. United States; and when I did nomic security and peace.” ‘ ment officials and businessmen. go to China last year, I found will mark the anniversary birth Nobody gave China back to The Chinese people now walk it very different from the pic- Miho freely everywhere in their land the Chinese people. They had ture many of us have in mind. J
with dignity and confidence to fight to get it back. The the First Conference of the Wo- with men. Dias and with heads held high. They colonial powers of the West and I traveled with many other men of Asia. We couldn’t have They are officials in all o no longer say; in fear, “Yes Sir” the Chinese feudal lords who delegates to Peking to attend gone by “slow boat” even if branches of government—legis- we'd wanted to. Chiang Kai- lative, executive and judicial. shek was then blockading the They are helping to administer port of Shanghai, and the the affairs of their country on British officials at Hongkong ali levels, from the h'ghest or- wouldn’t let anyone “progres- gan of state power to the lowest sive” threugh that port (they but very important level of vil- turned back the Australian and lage chief. other delegates who did go that A woman, Madame Sun Yat- way). sen, is vice-president of the Chinese Peoples Republic. Wo- Women Understand men are engineers, technicians, Every woman, too, will be accountants, doctors, lawyers, able to understand and appre- judges, carpenters, teachers. ciate what is going on in New Nurseries, kindergartens, China today. schools in cities, towns and vii- The millions ef women in the lages help take care of the West’ can understand — they children while the women go who have been told over and about the business of helping over that they are the most the men to buiid their country. cherished, pampered, fortunate There’ve been some changes women in the world, but who made in China, and every Negro find in fact that they are all and every women who longs to too often household drudges, be respected and treated as an unpaid domestic servants on equal human being will under- 24-hour duty, with far less than stand, fully appreciate and ap- the much heralded equal poli- plaud these changes. tical, economic and social rights The women of China no long- with men. : er only obey. They also issue The women of Oid China orders and make policy. The were far worse off. They had no Chinese people not only no status nor rights whatever. longer say “Yes Sir” and “Yes They were treated as property, Ma’am” to the white=colonial bought and sold as commodi- foreigners and the feudal lords ties, worked like animals in the who used to rule them. They do field. The rule for women was: not even say “No Sir”; they say A “Before marriage obey your simply and very firmly: NO!! ey father; after marriage obey The members of the “free na- your husband; after the death tions,” if and when they are ef your husband, obey your admitted to New China to do son.” Obey, obey, obey. lawful, reasonable and con- Now ali that is changed. Wo- structive business which the men in New China have by law Chinese people want, ‘will have and in practice equal rights to mind their manners.
sar. eo ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Eslanda Goode Robeson is a dis- tinguished anthropologist, author and lecturer. Among her books are “African Journey,” “Paul Robeson, Negro,” and “American Argument,” done in collaboration with Pearl Buck. Mrs. Robeson brings to her writings the rich experience gained from extensive trayél in ‘all parts of the world. FREEDOM is proud to present the first of a series of articles by Mrs. Robeson dealing wtih her per- PEACE is the most urgent order of the day for these emancipated women of the New ‘China. sonal experiences in ns struggle for peace and freedom at home Here they are signing the Stockholm peace petition. ond abroad,
FREEDOM Page 7 ~
' of strife Paul Robeson you sang a different tune of the proud and free Negroes Cast in Same By BEULAH RICHARDSON and told of a land where it is entirely so Paul Robeson fer you and me and us! how proudly your name flour- Old Roles in TV Shows It got into my dream. ishes on my tongue... BY LORRAINE HANSBERRY even. yet. And when you first refused to For years Negroes have been subjected to the shrill or Thought there are those who sing before a _ segregated ask: what did you say? crowd lazy yuk-yuking dialect voices of the radio steroetypes. I always repeat, Paul Robeson I was so proud These “characters” are intended to give the nation and the speaks for me. and thought: tho he has found world a distorted and degrad- Even yet. sufficient livelihood ing image of the American Ne- ous impression of Negroes the he thinks of me, of us, gro. And in spite of the con- TV and radio moguls strive to For long ago when quite young create and maintain before the I lived in voiceless penury Your not singing said the stant protest against these “other cheek” was equality disgusting shows, they have people is no accident. The You sang -a song for me and longer the concept of the half- mine. and pointed out the way to stubbornly persisted in radio. eatch a dream Now, with their appearance on idiot sub-human can be kept For those of us who heard each eee up; the easier to justify eco- day the tyrant scream: and make it gleam with life the nation’s TV screens, they Beulah Richardson even yet! threaten to set American cul- nomic and every other kind of Laggard, low-birth, mean, and discrimination, so rampant in juggled with our pay ture back at least 20 years. listen... Oh yes, your songs have taught this country. so that mere sustenence re- me many things: The first of these diehard so- but me, my mother, sisters The result in the entertam- quired the labor of the whole Who makes our plight of strife called “humor” shows to show ment field is a double-edged what could we do? ... we were up on TV was one of radio’s o> day so poor and death sword for Negro entertainers. , and half the night. most vicious: “The Beulah a then, as now. and gobbles up the wealth of Artistic . heartbreak and sheer Then, as now, I heard your Show,” the story of a giggling, = How’er we knew his voice was the land in selfish gluttony? hunger drive some to take the great voice say in golden note: contented domestic, who ac- true and clear But who builds up the land, degrading Uncle Tom roles and mot “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” cording to the producer and and.came from a, noble heart. digs out its wealth sheepishly defend them. Scores and strives to make it free? writers lives only to .ake care of young Negroes who fill the I gloat... It fair gave one a start to hear ef her white employers and S Folks like Dan and me. drama, voice and dance train- I can’t help it, I gloat. So clear a note their children. ; ars ing institutions across — the For then I lived only in a dream from so thin a frame! But, most of all your songs have Over the years, organized country, except for a few, find ef better days to come... He sang taught me how to fight. =o protests against the Beulah the choice too be bitter: doing the better way of life I while he was about his chores: Fo. speak out, stand up for what Show have come from all kinds a part that degrades their peo- dreamed of “Sugar Babies,” he sang as he is right. of Negro organizations, church te was rooted in your song.” ple or- nothing at all. ma fed the chickens Se now I say NO to those who groups and civil rights groups; The indignation of the peo- You sang it well. and the back yard rang with clasp unseemly silence me and significantly in the most ple has been felt, however, and It put our fears to flight, the sweetness of his voice. on your golden tongue, recent weeks, the Army Over- ms certain cover-up policies have gave us courage toe brave a But then, who dare obscure the light of seas Broadcasting Services Ei Mississippi plight been adopted. A mixed quartet, a X His song was stepped. uife. have been bombarded by pro- ef living ... Negro competitors in the ama- ak His lungs could net survive ne No more, I say. tests from Negro GIs in Japan, teur shows, and now and then I remember ‘s Mississippi plet - Let go, I say. demanding the removal of the a solo singer, dancer or pian- there was a boy next-door to us You tread upon the civil rights insulting (rogram from over- of hunger os x ist. But. nowhere are Negroes who sang, and ene day poured forth a of everyone. seas shortwave broadcasts. parts of regular acting com- hot so well as you flood of-bleod LET. GO! And as if the Beulah Show but,~twas his ambition. panies or MCing the show. A instead of pure sweet melody. This is no little thing to me. wasn’t too much, the television And there is still an almost to- Alas, there was no one to He died, Dan did . Who thought and spoke and bosses now have plans for = fe tal absence of Negro workers and something of his death was acted when I had no tongue? bringing to TV, after much dif- in the behind-scene TV life: = Beulah Richardson is a@ ~ Paul Robesor did. eaught up in your song: ficulty, the most despised anti- crew men, technicians, ward- young writer, dancer and Fer Dan and fifteen million Negro show in the history of robe, scene painters, and di- actress living in Los Angeles. “You. and me, we sweat and xg me’s. radio: “Amos ’n Andy.” rectors. Born in Vicksburg, Miss., she strain, And now that I have found my There were hopes, in the The hundreds of thousands | attended Dillard University in bodies aching and racked with tongue I say early Jays of TV, that the new of Negro and progressive TV bebe New Orleans and then studied pain...” Tit bless his life with mine medium meant a new kind of owners who spend their even- oe drama and dance in San Diego. You sang for him then. and proudly demand your voice break for Negro artists. But as ings turning the coaxial dial «She has written and produced Your song said he should have = be heard throughout the a May 12 Chicago Defender ought to begin flooding the TV two three-act plays and re- lived to sing for himself es *twas his right .. . justice lands. editorial says: “ ... the tend- offices with demands for dig- 2 ceived the Atlas awards for Paul Robeson must speak ency to cast our artists in nified, realistic treatment of * best actress in minor, char- your song said ... "Tis wrong to die of hunger. for Dan clown roles is very deep among Negro life, and for jobs for the J acter, and featured roles at And when we sat a’'Sunday for me the bosses of the television hundreds of competent Negro the San Diego Community moaning a baleful hymn of for us media.” And this is the root of artists whose talent is being Theater for 1948-49 and 1950. even yet. Today. the matter. The false and vici- ignored or wasted. RD weariness E oe i a STORIES FOR CHILDREN ok & - Alonzo Pietro, Sea. Captain, Helped Discover America By MARGO ~ ica. Of course you all know about Colum- bus so we won’t go into that. You can Boys and girls, gather around and find his story in all of the history books. listen while I tell you the thrilling story of But you won’t find the full story of Free- Freedom’s people and where they came don’s people in most of these books and from and what they did and how they as we go along I am sure you'll be able to guess why. I am quite certain that worked to make our great big beautiful you all are smart boys and girls, »ther- America really a land of Freedom. We wise you wouldn’t be reading this paper will talk about some of the people of the in the first place. past of whom perhaps you might have Getting back to Columbus—when he heard already and we'll talk about some crossed the Atlantic looking for the new people who are making living history to- world, Alonzo Pietro, a Negro, was right day in the fight for Freedom.
ety along with him. In fact, Alonzo was cap-
4) “fl tain of one of Columbus’ three ships, the pepole? I know q Who are Freedom’s. “Nina.” you can answer that question. That’s
iy right! Freedom’s people are you and you And when Balboa discovered the Pacifie and you and you and me and all Negro Ocean, another one of Freedom’s people, people who want to be truly free. No one Nuffo de Alamo, along with 30 other Ne- era wants to be a slave because a slave doesn’t groes, was with him. belong to himself, Freedom’s people traveled along with S
y Well, a long, long time ago and still cause they didn’t want to worship at all. And some came Narvaez, Cabeza de Vaca, Alarcon and farther back than that Freedom’s people because mean and greedy men who only wanted to make Coronado, all explorers who sought rich fathers’ fathers came cities and treasures that they had heard and their fathers’ money swooped them up from the shores of their homeland
Ae over to America. Some came as explorers. of. There was one, “Little Steven,” + ho re Some came here because they wanted to and brought them to this country to work as slaves. traveled with Cabeza de Vaca and dis- Ne live free and happy lives with their. fam- covered the Zuni Indians of New Mexico. i. Now, the very first Negro people came over to America e ilies. Some came because they wanted to There were many others too and we shall
ae worship in their own way. Some came be- with Columbus. a long time ago when he discovered Amer- hear about them as we go along.
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Page 8 FREEDOM
Justice in Jersey? What’s the Score?
New Jersey Pushes Frameup Trial By HANK HILL———_—_____— BOXING IS THE ROTTENEST of sport. Joe Louis, with his thun- derbolt fists and simple dignity, did more than anybody else to rescue the game from the stench which has been attached to Of Six Innocent Trenton Negroes it for years. And there were many lesser champions and many honest pugs sho never quite made it, who played the game just like they lived their lives—clean, honest, according to the BY MILLY SALWEN rules out crucial background and personal tastes, to smear rules, evidence on police Gestapo the men and shock the -jury. But they have too often been the tools of the leeches, gang- TRENTON, N. J.—Here methods, and then, swiveling in He asks, aghast, “You mean sters, and jackals who infest the arenas and gyms and make in the city of the Trenton his chair, turns a trim smile you played the phonograph at their living out of ‘the sadistic vocation of arranging sheer bru- Six, the trial now nearing toward the jurors and ex- three o’clock in the morning?” tality. 4 plains: its close after almost three The questions are still
tells us that Mays has just hit his first major league home run, Recovering From a towering blast over the left field fence at the Polo Grounds. Sam Sage Says: True, he went 12 for 0 in a series with Phils (looks like folks Major Operation are going to start calling the Jim-Crow minded champs ths When I hear folks say, “futile” Phils again) but now he’s on his way, and here’s one Mrs. Bessie Mitchell, sister of who’s willing to get out on that limb which says Willie Mays can “You can’t change human Collis English, one of the de- become one of baseball’s all-time greats nature,” I always say, “It fendants in the Trenton Six depends on where the parti- This first year around, he may not hit 477 which was his cular human’s nature ~ is case, is recovering from an average at Minneapolis before Leo Durocher called on him for operation for a tumor at New functioning.” For instance: help, but once he really gets going he’ll be murder! So watch York’s Manhattan General Hos- Willie Mays. Way back in the days pital. The operation was per- Also, watch how the “public officials” of Alabama are white- when Oklahoma was still a formed on May 18, and after washing the fiendish act of police and fire-department cons- Territory, they didn’t have a two-week stay in the hospital piracy of inaction which permitted the homes of 400 of Mays’ no Jim Crow, and the white Mrs. Mitchell will be required friends and neighbors to burn to the ground in Fairfield—a town folks, the Indians and the to rest at home in order to re- the majority of whose population is Negro and which is con- Negroes got along fine with- gain her strength. trolled lock, stock and barrel by the Tennessee Coal and Iron out it. Fact of the business, Her health was impaired as Co., subsidiary of U. S. Steel Corp. Wonder how many brilliant colored folks and Indians a result of her strenuous efforts baseball players of the future were burned out by the ’Bama owned most of Muscogee in the defense campaigns of the white supremacists? and a lot of other towns. Trenton Six, Willie McGee, the * * * * The Red River was the di- Martinsville Seven and other Well, now that all the big league teams have gone around viding line between Oklaho- victims of frameup convictions. the league a couple of times, everybody ought to have the pen- ma and Texas. black so-and-so out of that Greetings to Mrs. Mitchell nant race all doped out. How will they end up when the 154th One day a eattle man seat right now!” from friends and well-wishers game’s been played. Send us your dope sheet and your reasons, may be sent to her through the folks, and we’ll let you take over the column next time.. Until from down in Ft. Worth, The conductor looked at Texas, where they did have Civil Rights Congress, 23 West then, keep your eyes on young Willie Mays—and on old Jim Crow! plenty Jim Crow, got on a him and said, “Don’t you 26 Street, New York City. train to visit some relatives know we just passed the Red 0 no em in Oklahoma City. He fell River line?” FREEDOM ASSOCIATES fast asleep and when he Robeson to Sing at woke up there was a Negro The cattleman cooled off Women's Peace Meet 53 West 125th Street, New York 27, N. Y. Tel. EN 9-3980 sitting right next to him. just as fast as he had heat- Paul Robeson will be the Please find enclosed. one dollar ($1.00) for one annual He jumped out of the seat ed up. “Well, PH be dog- featured artist in a cultura: subscription to like . bolt of lightning had goned!” he said, “I musta program for peace at New FREEDOM eaught hold of his pants. been sleeping. I didn’t even York’s Manhattan Center, June Then he ran down the car know where we were!” 15, at 8:30 p.m. The program, Also enclosed find $...... in support of the pro- and grabbed the conductor sponsored by American Women gram of Freedom Associates. and shouted, “What’s the Then he walked quietly for Peace, will also feature A matter with you! Don’t you back and took his seat, and “Singing of Women,” an _ his- know I’m a white man and he and the Negro traveler torical musical, the Ai-Ye Trio, NAME (Print) we don’t sit next to no struck up a fine conversa- African interpretive dancers, s where I come tion which lasted all the and singers from People’s Art-
from! Now you get that way to Oklahoma City. ists. Tickets are 60c to $1.80. Address City Zone No, State tk Phone MU 3-1524. tt
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