ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
A few weeks ago this column featured a lengthy account of the campaign inaugurated by the Race Relation Cooperation Commission in Atlanta, Ga., against lynching and a reproduction of an Associated Press news item that had previously been published in the TRIBUNE, giving an account of a resolution passed by the Methodist Episcopal church (South) against lynching and calling upon the different churches in its connection to “cry aloud against this evil." The educational director of the commission has sent the names of the men who ignored this resolution and states:
The paper was signed by Dr. J. W. Perry, Home Mission secretary, of Nashville, Tenn.; Prof. N. C. Newbold, of the State Department of Education, Raleigh, North Carolina; Dr. Theodore H. Jack, of Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.; Dr. E. C. Peters, president of Paine college, Augusta, Ga.; Mrs. J. M. McEachern, of Atlanta, and Dr. W. W. Alexander, director of the commission on Race Relation Cooperation."
Another communication just received comes from Attorney Alex W. Spence of Dallas, Texas, who is a member of the committee recently appointed by the Race-Relation Cooperation commission to investigate lynching. After referring to the article on lynching in this column he stated:
"I am grateful for the publicity you have given the matter, for lynching is no longer strictly a southern problem, and if it is to be eradicated, all parts of the country must unite in the fight against it."
STUDENT CONFERENCE
The "Crisis" magazine for November contains an article from Dr. George E. Haynes, Secretary Race-Relation Commission Federal council or Churches of Christ in America who is now in South Africa. The article is illustrated with a picture of the native college, and also a group of black and white students taken during their first conference held June 24 - July 8, under the auspice of the Bantu, Council of the Student Christian association in Fort Hare, Cape Province, South Africa. It begins by stating:
"It set us all thinking," said one of the Bantu students at the close of the conference. "It has cleared one prejudice for me," remarked a white student. "It has cleared my understanding on some things. The main thing is my change of attitude. My boot-boy is no longer a 'kaffir' (a term of contempt); he is a human being." Another white student said "the conference has given me new understanding of the native question and also of the poor white problem such as I never received in all my life. I now see that the poor white problem is tied up with the poor black problem and that both are one related question for South Africa."
The white and black members of the conference emphasized their word by their action. They shared dormitories and dining halls; they met in small informal group of twos and threes for personal contact and the formation of friendships. The foundation for this feeling among student have been laid during the last eight year by Max Yergan, the inspired young Negro from America who, as one speaker said in giving a summary of feeling of the Conference, identified himself with us, has become one of us, and thus is helping us to work out our problems.
The forward sent to the delegates before hand stated that the gathering was "the result of years of hope and prayer." The opening ceremony was the dedication of the new Christian Union, a building erected this year at a cost of nearly $50,000, the gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr., and other white and Negro friends in America. It is primarily to furnish a training center to prepare leaders in Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., and social work among Bantu people in urban and rural areas. Speaking in behalf of the native college principal, Alexander Keer, a Scotchman said:
"We who have been entrusted with this gift are but at the beginning of our task. And while we go forward with confidence and indeed with rejoicing, we realize with humility that only the future will disclose whether we have worthily received it or not; and that disclosure will be made in the lives of men and women of African race who have been inclined to the good life through the service of this hall."
There were welcome addresses from the magistrate of the district, the mayor of the town, and heads of the educational institutions and fraternal greeting from Christian students in other lands. Those from India were expressed by Prof. A. M. Cumaraswa of Trinity College, Kandy Ceylon; those from Great Britain, by Dr. John Ramsbotham, of Cambridge University; and those from America by Dr. George B. Haynes, of New York. Telegrams and letters of greetings came from Dr. Channing H. Tobias of the American Y. M. C. A., from the chairman of the World's committee of the Y. M. C. A. and from many others.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
The dominating religious note of the conference was sounded in three addresses of the second day. Dr. George E. Haynes, in speaking on "The Christian Ideals for Human Society Today" pointed out that "science and invention have given man control over the material world which has so changed physical conditions, that the old relations between human beings are breaking down, that adjustments are necessary and inevitable and that the only hope of justice and good will is the application of the Jesus ideal of friendly, neighborly society, which must substitute a technique of peace for war must emancipate women, must remove the exploitation and oppression of weaker and darker races by stronger and whiter ones, and must bring economic justice and equity between employers and employees."
In an address, replete with first hand facts, Rev. Ray E. Phillips, who has developed social work among the hundreds of thousands of Bantu workers in the gold mines of the Johannesburg district, described the problems of living and working conditions of Bantu urban life. Mrs. Charlotte Maxexe, a native worker in the juvenile court of Johannesburg, described the social conditions among Banu women and girls. A graphic description of Bantu rural life was given by T. Makawanie of the Transkeian Agricultural department and W. G. Bennie a former chief inspector of native schools.
Howard Pim, a public accountant, and chairman of the Johannesburg Joint council of Bantu and Europeans, Miss M. L. Hodgson, of the Witwatersrand University, and Prof. D. D. T. Jabavu, of the South African Native college discussed "An Equitable Economic Order." Dr. A. B. Xuma, a Bantu physician educated in America stated the goal of the native as full participation in all the affairs of South African life and held that nothing less would ultimately bring justice and peace.
On of the closing messages was given by Oswim B. Bull, the Englishman who for more than six years as traveling secretary of the students Christian association held out the hand of, "friendship to white and black alike, emphasized that it is only by real love expressed in daily living could the barriers and prejudices of race and clan be overcome."
LOCAL NOTES
Rev. G. C. Coleman is such a public spirited citizen, readily cooperating in any movement for the betterment of either the city of Oakland or his race that notwithstanding last Sunday afternoon was unpleasant, a record crowd was present to participate in the ground breaking exercises for the erection of a new church edifice for North Oakland Baptist church. The choir, which is recognized as the banner choir of Oakland, rendered some splendid numbers.
Beth Eden Baptist church is rapidly completing plans for their forth anniversary and mortgage burning. The Young People Lyceum met Sunday October 19, in Linden branch Y.W. C. A. at which time they were addressed by Edward A Lee, head of the department of vocational Education at the University of California, who spoke on ”Vocational Effectiveness." Attorney George Johnson is again serving a president, which is giving new life to the organization.
UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES
A few weeks ago this column called attention to the fact that under the leadership of Mrs. Vivian Osborn Marsh, of the Delta Sigma Thea sorority for Negro students, and the Omega Psi Phi, fraternity for Negro students the University of California had received from each of these organizations checks for $150 to be used in furnishing a room in the Cowell Memorial hospital for students at the University of California. It was with a feeling of pride to the colored students this week when the hospital was formally dedicated to realize they had made history for their race by this donation and that all who entered the hospital would be privileged to read the bronze plate on the door of the room commemorating the gift by these two student organizations.
GIRL'S REPRESENTATIVE
Miss Gretchen Blackburn, Girl Reserve, of Linden branch Y. W C. A. took part in the Candle Light pageant of all nations held last Sunday afternoon in the Central Y. W. C. A. carrying out the “Spirit of Brotherhood of Races," and the Christian spirit portrayed in the activities of the Young Women's Christian association.
LEAGUE OF WRITERS
This correspondent, represented Negro Western Writers, while attending the recent fourth annual convention or western Writers held in the Claremont hotel, as the author of the history "The Negro Trail Blazers of California." The first history of the Negro in this state. There are many nationally recognized Negro poets in California, notably Mrs. Eva Carter Buckner, of Los Angeles, whose poems, especially those of the World war that have been published in many daily papers throughout the nation.
