Part 2
Every man thinks he knows just what he would do under certain circumstances if he had the opportunity, and that he has the power to do it. Very well, here are the opportunities, and if you develop your natural ability and capacity and take hold with a firm hand, you will attain the power. It is characteristic among all men, an attribute of modern affairs, that to obtain anything an effort must be made to get it. Everybody knows this by experience. It has been the experience of all men, and of all nations. A man must reach out and take what is before him within his reach. A wise man never attempts to try to take what is beyond his reach. Children do that, but a modern man is no child. There is an old maxim which says: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” Wherefore, take the bird in hand and hold on to it, and you will get the two in the bush by and by.
FUTURE LEADERS NOW UNKNOWN YOUTH
Even now in some humble home, there is a youth, a mere child with possibilities unknown to him or to you, who may develop into a leader. Many great men have sprung from such sources, and made the world ring with their exploits. What has been done can be and will be done again. It is not fate, nor is it perhaps destiny as some may think, it is opportunity.
Do you suppose that the poor child who looks on at the amazing things of life, the things going on around him, does not think about them and feel ambitious to be or do something that will make as good a showing?
It may be that he plods back and forth after his morning chores, to some little elementary school with his few books under his arm, and which he has pored over the night before or in the early morning. He knows that he is learning, and his small ambition leads him to learn more. His interest is aroused and he represents the seed, the foundation of a leader or of some of our leaders who will make their mark, an advanced man to take the place of some who will soon pass away.
He may have left the plow and the little elementary school to go to college; there are opportunities for this, and when he gets to this college, his mind expands, and he becomes fertile in resources to embrace opportunities before him. The more he learns, the more rapidly does his mind quicken, and the more his mind quickens the more he advances along the goal.
PERHAPS YOUR BOY WILL LEAD THE RACE
He is your boy, perhaps, your son for whom you have the highest ambitions, and your bosom swells with pride at the thought that he is your boy, and that you have opened the door to opportunity for him.
Some young man just out of college, just out of the refining process, is on the high road to position and honor, and is already making a name for himself, may become the leader or some leader along the many fields open to him.
Can you say that it will not be yourself? Who knows that it may not be you, your brother, nephew, cousin, or some valued friend? Give yourself the benefit of the doubt if there be any doubt, and there need not be, and take hold of the intellectual plow, and till the field of opportunity. It is waiting for you and for yours.
Do not throw straws in your own and in the way of those you know and to whom you may be related by the ties of blood or friendship. Why not put them and yourself in the way of opportunities? Give yourself and them a chance to prepare for opportunity, every one possesses the chance, and he must prepare for it, it is in the future, perhaps it is waiting now, are you ready for it? Do you think you will be ready when it calls? If not get ready by keeping your ear close to the ground and watch for the signal. Keep in touch with the people, their needs, necessities and demands; observe the signs of the times and study the shaping of events.
These are progressive times, and age of hustle, and the man who stands out in front will win the race, for he has the advantage of place and position, also readiness to start at the first sound of the signal.
THE CHURCH OFFERS HIGH INDUCEMENTS
The Church offers the highest inducements to a life of usefulness and honor. It is guided by men of distinguished ability and humanity. The Bishops and clergy of the various denominations have taken advantage of the new lights of the twentieth century, and are striving to bring their fellow men of the same race, up to the highest standard of right living.
The heights they have attained must be maintained like a protective rampart in a great battle. Their successors are the ones to continue the work of defence, and advance the lines still farther into the country of the enemy of humanity and morality.
The army and navy have had their share of brave Colored men, and has opened its ranks to more of them who are distinguishing themselves and ennobling their race. In the school of army and navy discipline, the Colored man has proven himself to be a man in every sense of the word. Faithful and true to his duty, he honors and loves the country under whose flag he is ready to draw his sword, and lay down his life.
YOUR CHILDREN MAY BECOME DISTINGUISHED
You or your children may be the fortunate ones to be offered an opportunity to become distinguished for bravery and generalship, for the way has been prepared and those now striving to uphold peace will have successors. Remember this point, that the longer the test and the greater the perseverance, the more and the higher facilities will be given you to reach the leadership.
It must be plain from the mere birdseye view that has been given that many leaders will be needed in the near future. Indeed, some of our present leaders as they grow older will lay down their armor, and others must be ready to take it up and wear it.
The filling of the ranks is almost imperceptible because it is so gradual, but it goes on continually, and the time to prepare for stepping into a vacancy is now. There is always a leader, and the coming men, it is plain, are those who make themselves ready, and prepare for immediate and future emergencies.
Have no fear that there will be no place for the lowly boy in the humble home; the lad with his school books plodding his way to the elementary school; the youth at college, or the newly made graduate. The wheels of life are not going to stop, they are ever turning, and there is a vast upward tendency which comes with every succeeding generation, the last an improvement upon its predecessor, and the next one a still greater improvement. So will go the world until the last whisper of time shall beat against the gates of eternity.
THE TURNING POINT _The Progress of the Colored American; His Chance in the Business World_
There are three points upon which every colored citizen may base his chances for success in the business world:
First—From their inability to engage in any business whatever a generation and a half ago, the Colored race now numbers about five hundred thousand members engaged in trade, transportation, manufacturing and mechanical pursuits.
Second—The Colored race having increased from about four millions of people a generation and a half ago, to nearly ten millions of people in 1913, the commercial field has vastly widened for exploitation.
Third—Under the now accepted doctrine announced by Rev. Charles H. Parkhurst of New York City, the field is still farther enlarged and bids fair to become unlimited.
The exact bearing of this increase in the population upon business chances lies in the increased consumption, greater demand and advanced civilization—that is a greater variety of objects are necessary to comfort or pleasure. This makes more customers, and all things being equal, perhaps they should be a trifle better, it is quite on the cards to believe that the Colored American will get his increased share of the trade of his fellow Colored Americans. If he does not, then he is probably in fault through inferior goods, poor service and lack of prompt delivery. The business is in his hands at any rate and the opportunity is at his call.
The first proposition is to the effect that business chances are now at high tide, where a few years ago there were no chances of any sort. We are speaking of the subject of business chances exclusively, but may venture to add such employments as miners, masons, dress makers, pavers, iron and steel workers, stationary engineers, engine stokers, etc. In these latter occupations there are more than one hundred thousand Colored Americans employed, a gain of over 85 per cent in ten years, or rather since 1890. The other trades have fallen off somewhat owing to the introduction of machinery.
To limit this question to commercial pursuits, it may be well to state that economic progress has reached a high water mark among Colored Americans. There are one hundred twenty-five and more Colored business men’s local Leagues in about every State in the Union, with eleven State Colored men’s business leagues in the Southern States.
These leagues are composed of bankers, merchants, and dealers generally in goods, wares and merchandise—dry goods and groceries, hardware, etc., and are all at the top notch.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
It is evident from the signs of the times, the business situation, our interstate commerce laws, and the domination of the trusts and combines by the Federal government, that there will soon come a great change in our business methods, and practices.
We are expecting that competition will be restored to the place it occupied before men were forced out of business by overpowering interests and vast aggregations of capital. It will certainly happen in the near future that any man will be able to open a modest store, or engage in a quiet and reasonable business without being driven into bankruptcy and poverty.
Our Colored Americans are not men of large capital, nor can they control large amounts of capital, consequently they have been unable to make any headway against great combinations, but here is an opportunity and if you wish to grasp it make ready. Prepare for this turning point, for it will be the turning point in the fortunes of many of our people who never had such a chance before, and will not again if they permit others with more sand and hustle to jump in and take up every valuable claim and chance.
THE PROGRESSIVE COLORED AMERICAN EARNS RESPECT FOR HIS RACE What Other Races are Doing to Rise—Persistence and Determination Will Win
In a country like the United States where there are so many different peoples gathered together, it is difficult for all of them to live in perfect harmony.
In view of what is said in other parts of this book, it must come that all men will be united as one nation, with one set of rules and laws applicable to all alike and without discrimination against any branch of the human family, and without regard to his color.
There are not so many prejudices against races as was formerly the custom, or rather habit, and the signs of the times are that prejudice and opposition are diminishing every day.
Colored citizens have had to fight against all kinds of prejudice and even submit to humiliations that ought to rouse their manhood and compel them to inquire when or whether it will ever end. Every Colored American who reads this book may feel assured that the end is in sight, and that his children will witness a great diminution in the slights put upon his race and color. It will be effected by personal influence based upon education and high standards of living.
Not so very long ago, the Jew was about as humiliated a race of men as exist in the world. Driven out of public places because they were Jews; unable to do business with others on account of their race, they were made a byword and a laughing stock in every occupation of life, and held up to the world on the theater stage as objects of derision and caricature.
The Jew was a “Sheeney,” a “Shylock,” an “Ol’ clo’ man,” a “Christ killer,” and given other choice epithets to bring him into disrespect and excite prejudice, even abhorrence.
All these epithets and others equally as cruel and vulgar, were applied to the whole race of Jews, and it did not make any difference whether he was an honest Jew, or one of education, and of high repute, he was still a “sheeney.”
But a change has taken place and the Jew is no longer a “Sheeney,” unless he merits the epithet, but stands as a man among the other men and is entitled to and gains their respect. Jews, as a race, are no longer “Sheeneys,” or “Shylocks,” only those individuals of the race that are in bad repute among their own people are such. Hence we perceive that prejudice against the Jew as a race is diminishing.
THE FLANNEL MOUTHED IRISHMAN
Not very long ago, an Irishman was considered a “Paddy,” and to call a man “Irish” was to provoke a fight in which blood was spilled. To call an Irishman a “Flannel mouth” meant a broken head to the speaker. It was a term of reproach. The Irishman also was caricatured on the theatrical stage and held up to derision. “O, he is only an Irishman,” was an explanation for every outburst of disorder.
We find that these opprobrious epithets are now limited to certain Irishmen, and not to the entire nation or race of Irish. To call an Irishman a “Mick” does not hurt his feelings as it once did, because he knows it does not apply to him as a member of the Irish race.
The Italian “Dago,” and the Chinese “Chink,” were epithets applied to the entire nation or race of Italians or Chinese. But a change has come over the situation. There are Italians who are not “Dagos,” Chinese who are not “Chinks.”
Epithets cruel and vulgar have been and still are applied to Colored men, and we often hear our Colored Americans styled “Niggers.” Of course this is slang for Negro, and although the word “Negro,” means a high type of Ethiopian, nevertheless it hurts the Colored American. Why should it hurt his feelings?
BECAUSE HE ALWAYS APPLIES THE VULGAR EPITHET TO HIS RACE
That is what the Jew used to do when he was called a “Sheeney,” and it hurt the whole Irish race of people to call one of their number a “Flannel mouth.” The Italian did not like to be called a “Dago,” and he always felt for his dagger intending to kill for this insult to his whole people. So too, the Chinaman does not mind being called a “Chink,” because he now understands that the opprobrious word does not mean the whole race of Chinamen.
When one white man calls another a “liar,” a “scoundrel,” a “thief,” a “briber,” or other vulgar epithet, the whole white race of Americans do not rush to arms to wipe out the insult to the nation, because such epithets have nothing but a personal application, and the white man, who is none of the things covered by the vulgar word, merely laughs.
Let us extend the idea to religion:
If a wayward boy or man casts a rock through a church window, he is charged with sacrilege and an enemy of religion. If a man even on provocation slaps the face of a clergyman, he is also a desecrator of religion, and an enemy of God. This is ridiculous, and we begin to see how ridiculous it is to attach to an entire system a mere petty detail of local or personal insult. Religion can not be harmed by breaking a church window, nor is the majesty of God insulted by an assault upon a clergyman. If that does happen, then it is mighty poor religion that can not stand so small a thing.
Applying the idea to racial epithets:
You do not offend a Jew now, by speaking of “Sheenies,” because he knows that there are Jews who are Sheenies, that is, disreputable Jews, and he is as anxious to get rid of them as you are.
When you mention “Dagoes” to an Italian, he shrugs his shoulders as much as to say: “O, yes, there are Dagoes just the same as there are grafting Yankees.” The Yankee to whom this is said does not get angry because he knows that the Italian does not mean the Yankee nation.
It is the same with the Irishman and the Chinese. They laugh at the application of vulgar terms to members of their race that deserve the appellation—they do not take it to mean the whole race.
There is a reason for this diminution of racial prejudice against the other races. That reason lies in the fact that education has put the races upon the same plane of intelligence and good citizenship. When it comes to caricaturing their race in order to create prejudice or excite animosities against the whole, they protest and their protests are heard because they are founded upon reason and common sense, as well as business sagacity.
The movement among the Jews and Irish to stop the caricaturing of their race upon the theatrical stage is bearing fruit and is doing much toward eliminating race prejudice.
All the Jewish organizations have combined to prevent caricatures of the Jewish traits of character which are notoriously bad, in theaters of all grades and to punish their representation. It is a business proposition mainly, but it is effective. “You make fun of the bad traits of my people,” intimates the Jew, “and I will not trade with you.”
Likewise the Irish organizations are unanimous in their movement to prevent and punish caricatures of the bad traits of the Irish people. Says the Irishman, “You keep the Flannel mouth off the stage, or off goes your head at the next election.” This is the loss of political influence mainly.
So with the other nationalities: “You let us alone in your caricatures, or we will not trade with you, work for you, or vote for you.”
The consequence is, that high-minded people, or those who have an eye to profits and success in their business ventures, find that there is less to be gained from encouraging the immature, or half educated, the bigoted, and the ignorant whose race prejudices are based on mere personal dislike or neighborhood animosity, gossip, or lies repeated until they are regarded as gospel truth, than in the business of the educated and cultured classes, or those who believe in equality of opportunity.
The people who cater to the public are discovering that honey catches more flies than vinegar and gall.
Comic and even sharply satiric portrayals of Jewish, Irish, or even Negro foibles are appreciated by these races themselves, just as Americans of other race strains are amused by caricatures of themselves. But there are limits beyond which race enmities and prejudices are fostered, and those limits are to be respected, and will be respected when the race affected establishes a high standard.
This can only be done by education and self-respect. The body of men or the race that does not respect themselves, can not expect to command the respect of others.
There are drones in every hive, and they live on the work of the busy members of the hive. If you know anything about bees, you must know that these drones are killed off and thrown out as useless members of the bee colony.
Among men, if a man refuses to work when able, and nothing but laziness is his trouble, he is quickly thrown out and becomes a “tramp,” and when a man becomes a tramp, why then, an ignominious life and an ignominious death are his portions.
The Colored Americans have it within their power to rise above any race prejudice just as the Jews and other races are doing. They made a bitter fight, and finding that the Constitution, while giving them political rights, could not give them the respect of other fellow citizens, they, turned to education, business, employment and embraced every opportunity to get on top in progressive influences and they succeeded. They made themselves kings of finance and are deeply concerned in scientific investigations, appropriating large sums of money to the cause of education.
The Irish stand in the front as builders and workers, and none can point his finger at any particular successful Irishman and call him a “Flannel mouth” in derision. “Paddy” can refuse to eat meat on Friday, or eat it as he wishes without calling forth any vulgar remarks—he is respected as a race worth respecting.
So with the Italian, he is a worker and a fruit and produce caterer. He is no longer a mere member of the “Dago” race, he is a respectable member of the community. He does something.
The once despised “Chink” has arisen out of ages of superstition into an enlightened member of a great republic. He is no longer a “washee-washee,” but a man. He has cut off his pigtail and put on civilized clothing. At a banquet or gathering, the chairman is proud to introduce to the audience “My friend Wun Lung, who started out as a laundryman in the Fifth Ward, and has risen up to the presidency of the great Ginseng Company.” The Chinese are doing things and none of them is sitting around waiting for something to turn up. They go after opportunities and seize the one nearest and hold on to it until another and better one comes along and then they grasp that.
We are all living in the present laying up treasures or preparing for the future, and the Colored American stands in the same category as every other race. The petty details incident to human nature of every kind, go away with the present into the past. Every footstep made in the mud yesterday is sunk out of sight on the morrow. What you are called today, is nothing tomorrow, if you hold your position in the world’s respect. Keep on doing something, and if the epithets of the vulgar offer obstacles in the way of your progress, then give battle as have the Jews, the Irish, the Italians, and the Chinese. You belong to a race entitled to respect if you yourself respect it.
INCREASE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLORED AMERICANS Trades, Business Occupations, and Professions Opening Up in Every Part of the United States—Four Hundred Millions of Acres of Fertile Land Waiting for the Tiller—Agricultural and Mechanical Facilities Multiply—Honor and Profit Within the Grasp of Every Colored American
Nearly every occupation known to the world of endeavor, that is to say: the trades; arts and sciences; commerce; business; manufactures; skilled labor, and others, are now filled by Colored Americans with success and profit.
There are at least one hundred and fifty different occupations and professions utilized by Colored Americans, and not a single occupation can be mentioned or thought of that is not open to them.
One colored citizen in any business, occupation, or profession, means another one, and the field grows more extensive every year, with the advantages offered by institutions of learning, trade and mechanical schools and colleges, and every industry represented by an institution of learning.
The Colored American is to be found in the Army and Navy of the country, and the walks of life which are not menial are so various that one is almost tempted to disbelieve the evidence of the record.
There are 17 State Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges in the United States, and in all of them, the Colored American stands on a par with the other races, often at the head of his class.
Distributed through the various States, are one hundred and eighty-four special Normal and Industrial schools of the highest class, specially maintained for the benefit of the Colored Americans.
To these add 14 schools of law, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, and it will be seen that the colored citizen has opportunities within easy reach.
If he does not want to fit himself for a high position, then the training in the public schools gives him an insight into business which makes him the equal of any other race in the struggle for existence.
We must put the Colored American upon the same basis, or foundation, as the other races, and in doing so, and giving him the same advantages, it is most astonishing to find that he is improving along the same line, and in the same ratio as the other races. That is, the Colored citizen is the intellectual equal of the other races, when given equal opportunities and advantages.