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Race and Place Newspapers
The Reflector
Location: Richmond, VirginiaArticle Transcripts
Date of Publication: November 11, 1933 (Wednesday)
Frequency: weekly
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Column 01
Transcript of Article
Race RelianceQuite often during the recent months, we have heard much about mass action, mass pressure and the unification of Black and White workers. It is no easy task to disregard all we hear for, regardless of how it is expressed, some of the things we have heard are bedecked with facts. We know, for an example, that mass action brought publicity to the Scottsboro case and revealed this unfortunate occurrence as a shameless frame up. We also know that persistent mass pressure was the chief force that caused Reginald Leftwich, who was wrongly accused of murder, to be placed in States Hospital for Insane, in Petersburg, Va., instead of the "Death Row", after one of the most absured frame-ups that has ever been attempted in this state, was exposed. Despite these obvious facts, we cannot feel secure about any far-fetched plan that calls for the unity of black and white labor. We feel that our fears are well grounded.
Our sufferings have been painted to us before by benevolent artists who, seemingly, had nothing else to do but assist us. The first time it was the hungry, vagabond whites, who stole by night, to the plantations telling our ancestors of the wrongs about which they already knew, in return for food and a dry place in the hay loft. This time it is the unemployed white worker who is so generous and kind.
When the change in the Southland's economic system came it was these same friends who so readily changed their attitude towards the Negro slaves and brought forth the first organized effort to bar the black man from honestly earning a livelihood. Some traces of these characters are still evident today. White skilled Labor Unions bar Negro membership, then, with what white labor are we asked to unite? The unskilled? God forbid! We have seen their demonstrations of their love at Alabama and Princess Anne, Maryland. We know that we are segregated, but this factor has created a confidence within our circle, a reliance upon ourselves.
We are conscious of the various injustices that befall us and because we do know these things, we are not so willing, as our ancestors were, to listen to "our woe". The vivid painters of our oppression would do well to save his pictures as we are aware of circumstances, and the years have taught us that a hungry man like an intoxicated one, is not responsible for his statements. Several years has taught us slowly but surely, and is still teaching Race Reliance and we are beginning to realize that other scheming methods of livelihood do not interest us.
Summary of Article
A warning that African American workers should be wary of setting their future on a "far fetched plan to unite black and white labor."
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Transcript of Article
The Negro and the Emergency in EducationThis week has been set aside, November 6th through 11th, as American Education Week. According to Ambrose Caliver, Senior Specialist in the Education of Negroes, the topic for discussion "The Educational Emergency" is particularly appropriate for Negro schools. He adds further that "the conditions prevailing in the education of Negroes at present constitutes a real emergency and it is important that this situation be stressed at this time. During the past there were many deficiencies in the education of Negroes; the facilities prevailed in schools were very meagre; there was considerable lack of financial support and the margins upon which schools were operated were poor. Since this was the situation before the depression, it is obvious that drastic cuts cannot be made without doing irreparable damage. In many localities where reductions are made, the schools for white children still have sufficient facilities left to provide a fairly good minimum program of education; but if proportional cuts are made in the education of Negroes, it frequently will mean the abolishment of schools, or ALL the facilities in some essential fields of activity." These are the exact words of Mr. Caliver in Circular number 123, issued by the United States Department of Interior, office of education.
Together with these facts there are other problems that are quite evident. There are adults who are unable to read and write; unemployed adults who are in need of vocational training; other unemployed adults who are in need of further general educational opportunities to fit them to take their part as self-supporting citizens. On November sixth, Secretary of Interior Harold L. Ickes and United States Commissioner of Education, Dr. George F. Zook, made radio addresses on Negro Education over the National Broadcasting Company's blue net work of stations.
Mr. Coliver's report and Mr. Ickes and Mr. Zook's addresses on Negro Education are timely and worthy of commendation, but since their general theme seems to be centered around the Emergency, a sudden condition calling for immediate action. What link will we forge in the "first aid emergency kit." Think of what a wonderful bandage and adhesive tape a public library and night school would make.
Summary of Article
Asserts that "The Educational Emergency" is particularly appropriate terminology for Negro schools. Unequal facilities,poor adult education, and lack of financial support make immediate attention essential.
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Transcript of Article
The Parent-Teachers League of TipytownIn Typitown, they have an accredited high school and an excellent grade school. The staff is composed of public spirited men and women with a sincere desire for racial advancement. At the various institutions of higher education, the Typitown students are getting their share because of studiousness and general cooperation. The most pleasant relationship exists between teacher and student at the Typitown schools, and the town is quite proud of its educational staff, its school board and its pupils.
The faculty is efficient, the students are certainly conscientious and the citizens quite appreciative. It seems like this is all that is necessary for the development and growth of the child, but Typitown educational leaders and parents feel different, not being a group of people easily contented, and are ever looking for more advanced steps to further their program of civic betterment. So, they were inspired by this idea. While it is true that conditions and results are satisfactory some improvements are possible, so being familiar with the numerous benefits derived from organization of previous experiences, the staff and parents decide to organize, to join hands for the benefit of the child, so they do. Now, every Friday night in Typitown, the parents and instructors meet in the school auditorium for an honest to goodness "get together." This brings the parent in closer contact with the teacher, the teacher in turn in closer contact with the child, and all three factors are made familiar with the problems. Such meetings familiarize the parent with school activity, the teacher with home cooperation and the child with parent-teacher understanding. Each student of Typitown school is a model pupil because he has no choice.
Summary of Article
An article that uses allegorical Typitown to propose an ideal education system in which teachers and parents communicate in a way that familiarizes "the parent with school activity, the teacher with home cooperation and the child with parent-teacher understanding."
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Transcript of Article
Among Our Lodestars"Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues."
I had the pleasure, a few day ago, of interviewing Mrs. Margaret L. Terry, teacher of the fifth grade in Jefferson school. The interesting and singular part about it all is that the sincere modesty which prompted this article was prevalent throughout our discussion. She tried to turn away,saying she had done nothing worthy of writing about and despite my coaxing, I knew at the offset, than you already knew, yet this made the penning of this tribute all the more interesting.
Her career began in about 1878 in Ivy Depot, Va., in a little one room school with almost no pay. I was not there, yet some how I know that the same encouraging smile, and kindly nature was even prevalent. She is one of whom it can be truly said, to know her is to love her. Builders erect great mansions, they decay; bankers amass great wealth, it rolls away with time; she inspired the child, who is father of the man, and that inspiration has been like bread cast upon the water. Those patterns that she has turned from her loom are numerous as the sands on yon glistening shore. Fifty-five years of service to mankind, of unselfish, sacrificing service would require praise that must needs reach to the sky,could it be placed block upon block.
In 1901, she began as instructess in the Jefferson School, this city, and has been stationed there ever since. It is an inspiration to know her. She is ever gentle and kind. For everyone she has a ready smile, not manufactured or tried, and tested, just a sincere message from a sincere heart. So with this thought in mind, I wish to pay tribute with pride, because she is of our city, and with love and respect because she is all that is gentle, kind and tender, and because she has devoted, unselfishly, her entire life to service.
Summary of Article
A brief biography of Mrs. Margaret L. Terry, a distinguished teacher at Jefferson School who devoted "fifty-five years of service to mankind."
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Transcript of Article
Open ForumDear Editor:
I was talking with a "friend" of mine in the white race a few days ago, and we were discussing the "whys" and "wherefores" of the economic condition of whites and Negroes. He told me frankly that it had been proven by facts and figures, that the standard of living for the white race was higher than that for the Negro. He cited many examples and produced concrete evidence. At first, I did feel that he, like other members of his race, was unfair to us. Then, after talking for a good while with him, I could see his point, when he told me that they had to pay more rent, higher prices for theatre tickets and ball games, and that service was even higher. Well, I couldn't say much more to him, but I still believe that there is something unfair in the general plan of things.
Charles Wiggins; Gordonsville, Va.
My dear Mr. Wiggins:
A man's cost of living is as high as he makes it or as conditions will allow him. Why, I can spend as much money on a mansion as Henry Ford or John D. Rockefeller, or Mr. Rinehart; the only difference is that I don't have the money. Your "friend" lost sight of the fact that I would like to buy a three hundred dollar diamond ring, but I must make the most of a thirty dollar imitation. How in the world can a man with an income of one hundred dollars a month, pay ninety-five dollars a month for house rent? Even now, those of our race who do maintain even a decent standard of living are doing so above their means, and all which they have to depend on is a winning battle against adversity. If your friend wants proof, ask him to place a half million dollars on an experiment and allow any intelligent, no matter how poor, Negro the privilege of using it and note his standard of living.
White patrons pay more for theatre tickets, especially in the South, because they have better accomodations and their financial condition enables them to demand better service. A man's standard of living is high or low as conditions or circumstances permit them to be.
Summary of Article
The editor responds to a letter that asserts that whites have a higher standard of living than blacks by noting that "a man's standard of living is high or low as conditions or circumstances permit them to be."
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Column 01,02
Transcript of Article
Tittle TattleWord received from M. A. K. and Babble, Monday, revealed that those gentlemen will be absent from a duty a week longer, so it is my task to attempt to hold the attention of the readers of this column for another week. My dopes were "not so hot" last week. M. A. K. usually receives from twenty to thirty letters during the week. I only received five. Here goes:
Last week-end, a certain young thing, making her debut in one of the "Elite" circles, found herself in the midst of a discussion that emergency forced her to participate in also. The discussion dealt with Paul Robeson, the artist singer and actor. "O yes", squeeked the poor young thing, "I saw him tap dance up a pair of stairs at the Richmond Fair last month."
A notorious playboy giving the wifey a treat at one of the dances several weeks ago, excused himself for several moments to "join the boys" in a light highball. Wifey of course consented and hubby went smilingly on his way. Towards intermission, hubby was still missing and his little mate about the height of the high-ball he went to consume. The dance ended--hubby was still missing and alas--and also a lady member of the party. Wifey formed conclusions that night which looked out next morning to the effect that, both hubby and "missing lady" were too "tanked" to return to the party. Finis: Next day wifey was rolling dough and the rolling pin slipped and caught hubby "accidentally" on the cheek.
Once certain "high-stepper's" friend reports this incident. Miss "High-Stepper" and her close girl pal rushed home all excited one night with a new frock that a sister had bought and given to her, explaining that sister wanted to remember her thirtieth birthday. All would have been well but said sister, at the moment of speaking, was in a back room with a surprise gift of a birthday cake and had already expressed regrets to hubby that she was only able to give poor "Miss High stepper" a cake that she made. Too bad Miss "High stepper" and "Playboy" didn't take said sister opportunely in their confidence.
This small slice of info deals with a "Flunkie" who has made himself much talked of by him seeming weakness for being a sucker. He breezed into a merry gathering some time ago with his dear "bundle of worry" swinging to his arm. Of course the gang was glad to see the couple enter and male members lost no time in relieving the gentleman of his responsibility. Towards the early morning hour there crept into the fogged mind of friend Flunkie that since he hadn't been able to dance a single number with his "contribution to the party" that it would be Ok. or K. O. if he took her and left. Leaving was suggested, and after much pouting, coats and hats gathered but the gay Romeos stopped this, saying, "Say Pal, you can't go. How about the joke you promised to tell". "Flunkie" weakened and stayed and around 4 A. M. some kindhearted guy brought the Geezer's girl to him and as they left for home, someone heard Sir Flunkie say, "Honey, that's why I don't like parties. All the guys like me and don't want to see me go home".
Summary of Article
A humorous series of incidents detailing the latest gossip about the black community in Charlottesville.
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Transcript of Article
Jefferson School NotesThere were three students in the Senior Class whose names were omitted from the honor roll. They were Misses Helen Lightfoot, Adele Martin, and Fannie Johnson.
Honor Roll for Grade V, Mrs. Ella B. Baylor, teacher. Virginia Thompkin, Donna Wars, Ida Goins, Bernice White, Evelyn Brown and Mary Lockett. Grade IV--Mrs. R. F. McGinness, teacher. Geraldine and Maxine Burks, Sarah Goins, Annie Mae White, Eris Farrar, Helen Jackson, Albert Moore, Andrew Arnold, and Phillip Anderson.
The Senior class was in charge of the assembly program all of this week. The program was as follows: Opening Song--Holy, Holy, Holy; prayer and chant, student body; Scripture Reading, Mr. Lorenzo Price; Recitation, "Ode to Ethiopia", Miss Adele B. Martin; Instumental Solo, "Deep River", Miss Gracie Burley.
The various classes in school are making plans for fund-raising for the benefit of the Red Cross.
Mr. B. Roberts and Mrs. R. J. Hailstalk have been added to the Jefferson Staff temporarily. Mrs. Roberts is substituting for Miss Louise Riddick, who is absent on account of illness and Mrs. Hailstalk is substituting for Mrs. H. K. Henderson, who is out because of the sudden death of her brother, Mr. Robert Kelly.
The Debating Club of Jefferson High School held an interesting meeting Thursday afternoon. The members are making plans for a series of debates to be presented during this school year. They are also discussing plans for an oratorical contest. The members are as follows: Ethel Brown, Frederica Perrow, Esther Tucker, James Gault, Mary Taylor, Carl Johnson, William Jackson, Viola Price, Lillian Watson, Maggie Hughes, Dorothy Randolph, Betty Actie, Edward McCreary, Bernard Dabney, Margaret Stewart, Cornelia Gault, and Janet Watson.
Summary of Article
Current news of activities at Jefferson School, including the names of graduating seniors, those students who made the honor role, and updates on fundraising projects.
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