"oV Ox- V "^* .^^ ,.. V ^^0^ ,v-'\ ORGANIZATION »? ^ ^ 'T'HE most interesting part of the Unit- ed States History to the colored man began in 1861; tlie inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, the avowed abolition- ist, the seceding of the Southern States, forming a solid Southern Confederacy, to make more secure the institution of chattel slavery, and the final climax end- ing in Lee's surrender at the Apx^omat- tox Court House, April 9th. 1865. This great conflict, according to history, cost nearly one million lives, caused to heap up a debt on the government, $2,845,000,- 000, besides the millions of dollars never accounted for, the devastated property of the South. This is mentioned to im- press upon you the cost of your free- dom. Could it have been done for spite or were these people, who gave up their lives, sincere, or did they know what they were doing? Is it possible that a people who fought so bravely to wipe out the curse of chattel slavery, could not solve the problem any better than they have? "What to do with the Negro" was the most perplexing problem im- mediately after the war, and it is today-» The Federal government would seveieK punish anyone who would attempt to re- enslave the Negro, but the Federal gov- ' ernment is not big or powerful enough to give the Negro an equal chance with his white brother. The natural law gov- erning sociability predominates over N statute law. The 13th Amendment was sufficient to give all the colored people every right or privilege, had it been pos- sible to grant those things by law, when we got freedom. There were two ques- tions settled by the war of the 60's: Be- sides dooming slavery, this war settled forever the question "States' rights." that no State, having once joined the Union, can never secede. Ever since the great emancipator. Lincoln, issued the proclamation making us "free," we have been on a "still" hunt looking for freedom. If we hear of a colored per- son being treated as a real human being, given a chance according to their ability, free from the "monster prejudice." we wonder is it possible after all that we were mistaken, and have judged a peo- ple wrong. But when we look about us and see college girls and boys of our race washing the windows down town and the pots and pans in the homes of the men who run the down town dis- trict, we know that we are not mistaken. Yet with these overwhelming facts of our hopeless struggle to make good in a country where the dominant people are extremely prejudiced and after 50 years show no signs of changing, we are .vetj^ersuaded to believe that it is for the best and will all come out alright some day. This view of the problem being- accepted by so many, is what makes it so serious, even tragical. There is no grounds for this conclusion, after look- ing over the history of the race for the last 50 years, there is no reason to be- (4.) lieve that it will change without a great- er effort than we have put forth in the past. The one great fault that hinders our progress is lack of organization along labor and industrial lines. For instance, we take our great cities where w^e make up considerable portion of the popula- tion, we find the white worker organized for the purpose of protecting their inter- est, but the Negroes stand in awe of their unions, without once attempting to organize to meet them on the field of la- bor. For an example, we take Kansas Citj^ to illustrate the real standing of the Negro in this country; what is true here, is about true everywhere. Here at the intersection of the Kaw and Mis- souri rivers, where the great floods have caused disaster to life and property, the Negro has shown as much loyalty at these periodical, capricious outbursts of these two treacherous rivers as any oth- er citizen, he has unsparingly^ given his labor, yea, his life at times of great dis- tress; has done his part in lowei'ing the ungainly hills, and digging the tunnels, in building the many magnificent sky- scrapers; in every way where real labor was needed, the Negro did his part, the unskilled part. In return for our loy- alty we have been given, in most places, some very good public schools to edu- cate our children; these schools are well equipped to prepare our children for any king of commercial business, just wiiat all schools are for. The great bulk of business could not be carried on if (5) these schools did not exist. This ques- tion might be asked, why do we, as Neg- roes want schools equal to the whites when our boys and girls have no chance to exercise their commercial education the same as white pupils? If it is true that our schools are mostly for the pur- pose of fitting our children for commer- cial life, it can hardly be disputed, why don't we attempt to make places for them, we certainly are convinced now that the white people are not going to do it. There has been too much talk about success in our race, when in truth, we are going back if anything. We are los- ing the old jobs we once considered ours, instead of making places in the commer- cial world, why are we failing? You might say it is prejudice, which is of course, part of the cause, but the main thing is lack of organization: we are well organized religiously, socially, but in- dustrially we stand apart. Whenever the Avhite race wants to do any thing, if it is nothing more than to segregate us, they organize; when we want to do some- thing that is very necessary to our wel- fare, we make a fuss or ask the white man can we do it. This is a childish weakness that we must rid ourselves of No matter where you live, if you are col- ored, there is something going on that is detrimental to the race. Form an or- ganization to fight it; here in Kansas City a certian part of the City had become stagnated as far as business was con- cerned, about a dozen property owners formed themselves into a boosters club, with one purpose to boost that section of the City, they have accomplished won- derful things through their organization, that could not have been done any other way. There is nothing too big for people to do through proper organization: when we wish to form a social club for the purpose of enjoyment, we always organ- ize, but when we are confronted with some very stiff problem of a racial nature, we wilteraway, give up and allow things to take its course, which sometimes is a very serious set back to us. There should be an organization of colored men and women in every commercial center to look after the boys and girls who leave school; see that they get a chance. Any pupil who goes as far as the "^^th grade, has a very good commercial education, and should be given a chance; an organ- ization of this kind could induce some of the big concerns to give us at least one clerical department for Negroes. De- mand it as your right to have it; ask your city to pass a law against anyone refusing to empk:)y a person on account of his color. They won't do it, of course, but it will serve the purpose of letting the public know that you want recogni- tion as a people. Don't move out of a neighborhood because it is not clean or moral, organize your best people into a society to make it a good place. Don't run from these bad things, but make them j-un from you. Dcm't put in too (T) much time in forming your society, re- member the one purpose of your organ- ization, and stick to it, if you run against a stone wall batter it down, it will fall in time. Immorality among our race is one of the main things to fight, we should study the cause of it and try to remove it. There should be an organization in every community against gambling, a- gainst booze selling rooming houses, against the revolting vice that exists be- tween white men and colored women. It would be hard to count the number of organizations among the white people. They are organized against every thing that is a menace to their purity, or a drawback to their making a living, we could overcome many of our stubborn problems if we would but apply the system of organization. It is said that we can not stick together, neither can the white people, they are divided on most every thing but there is always a few people who can stick together and these few j^eople are running and shap- ing things as they would have them to go The biggest accomplishments are the re- sults of organizations started by a hand- ful of people, but they keep a pounding until they get the required support. No doubt, if we are to get a square deal there should be some form of coloniza- tion in this country, for the purpose of development if nothing else. It should be started by those who believe in Coloniza- tion and would give it a thorough trial. There should be a National Industrial Union among Negroes: there should be (8) a national organization advocating coloni- zation; each one should be powerful enough to get the ear of our Govern- ment at times of distress. A large or- ganization is always given some consid- eration. Five people can start an organization that can be made to do some very effec- tive work. All of the big monied men have an organization for every separate branch of their business, no matter what obstacle may confront them, they usually overcome it. The white working class has a splendid organization to protect themselves against the owning class; ev- en the hoboes among the whites have an organization that is serving for these unfortunate people a good purpose. The same forces that will cause a white man to be a hobo will make the black man a hobo; if there is a need for a hotel to help the unfortunate whites, we are certainly not looking after our own people unless we have them. If a hotel for working girls of the white race is necessary, in our cities, we sliould have them also. If the white people have an organization for the sup- pression of vice, in your city, you need one. They will not look after the vices that exist among colored people as you can, and we should not expect it. I have mentioned a few of the many organizations needed by our race, but the most important thing about these organizations is the spirit behind them. They must be firm in their undertak- (9) ings, and allow nothing to sidetrack you or cause you to vary from your purpose. Most of our people in trying to do some good for the race usually call in the preacher, here is where we fail. The preacher is always looking for more sup- port for his church, and after a lengthy talk he is likely to wind up his talk by saying the Lord will look after these things, but he doesn't let the Lord look after his collection. If you want to ac- complish anything don't let anyone talk on a subject that is foreign to your pur- pose. If you are religious don't let that keep you from doing your duty here on earth. The white man is also religious, but he does not allow that to interfere with his doing good on the earth. Besides the many little organizations that are needed to insure progress, the one of the most importance is a National Union of Negroes formed for the exy^ress pur- pose of bettering the working and living conditions of the race. Were 3^ou ever standing on the street when a body of Negroes was marching by and have some white person to ask you who are they and what are they doing? In telling them that it was some lodge turning out. the the questioner evinces no farther in- terest and walks away. It would be much different if we were able to say, why, that's the 'Industrial Union of Neg- roes of America.' This would strike terror to our white brothers, it would mean something more than a mere show, it would mean real progress for the en- tire race. Organization is our only hope (10) for bettering our condition in this life. We have tried for more than fifty years to be patient, obedient, hoping that some unknown power might clear away the many obstacles that are strewn in our pathway. We have watched for some sign or token of friendship from our white brother, showing that our struggles to make good, had not been in vain. We have taken him at his word when he said, "You are too ignorant," and have be- come, to a great extent, educated, and if it is impossible now for him to take down the bar and recognize us as men and women, it will ahvays be. After viewing the situation in this country, (I don't see how any colored person could come to any other conclusion) the in- creasing prejudice, the many race riots and the least insignificant offense from one of us in some parts of the country, will bring about a calamity to all of us, we are forced to accept the true state of affairs and work out our own solution. Organization can be made to meet many of our wants. It should be simplified if it is to be effective; in organizations where you are aiming to correct some neigli- borhood mena«e, don't think it necessary to advertise in your white paper; don't have a president, elect a chairman at each meeting, pass it around, that will cause more interest to be manifested. It might be wise to have a permanent secretary. Don't beg for money, there is not much need for money in most of the organizations such as the suj^pres- sion of vice, gambling or prostitution. (11) Whatever you want or don't want, or- ganize. It is the one best weapon. Try it. (12) Cooperation >? *? ^ There is one word in the English lan- guage that is so important, so little un- derstood by most of the very people to whom it means so much, it is necessary for me to dwell for a time on its explan- ation, "Co-operation". I think it should be shortened to co-op, when ever pos- sible, with accent on the op ; it sounds better and if shortening this very, very important word will cause more people to grasp its meaning, it certainly will be worth trying. Co-operation means to the Negro, or the working class, just what corporation means to the rich, or that class who own everything. To co-op means all of us can own and run a thing for all ; cor- poration means that a few can own a necessary article, it might be bread, and make all of us pay their price; some dif- ference ; but don't get the two words confused, it might be fatal to you. On the account of the colored race starting out after the end of chattel slavery, all on about the same level, we had to co-op in. many ways in order to live, it was a natural force, we could not help it, w^e all went together to live, to work, to enjoy ourselves and we are still together, l)Ut we don't own any thing together, no industries of any kind. A few X^egroes have startled the world, (13) by their ability to make money, but that cannot be considered a racial advance- ment, they may have made it off of their own race, causing much suffering. We own several million dollars worth of church and lodge property, but no prop- erty that will furnish us a job. Why don't we ? Because we have not tried. There should be, in every community where there is a sufficient number of people to have a church, a community owned industry of some kind. When we deyelop to that state, we can boast of progress. As slaves, we were house servants, bootblacks, table waiters for our white master. Wliat are Ave now ? Are we not holding the same jobs, when we can get them? Everything is in our favor to- wards building up industries that would be strictly racial institutions. For in- stance, in many places we are forced to live in certain neighborhoods, we are forced to work at certain jobs, and many places we arc forced to sit in a place on street cars, on trains, at public parks, designated by the white people. All of this has a tendency to make us have, in common, one grievance, one problem for all of us to solve. This being the true state of affairs, why not take the advantage of this, forced solidarity and .co-operate with one another towards operating industries for ourselves. The spirit of coroperation is, prevalent among u's" everywhere, and it has been tried so ■ (14) often and failed, we are very suspicious of every movement of this kind. If the working class of the white race had the same powers at work, forcing them in one indisputable class, as we have, I am sure they would have solved the working class problem long ago. So many of them believe, because a few have gotten out of their class and become rich, all can. We all know that we haven't an equal chance with the poorj white, let alone the rich. There are two reasons for our failures along this line, dishonesty and ignorance ; the dishonesty of some individual who was foremost in advocating the "get together", idea, our ignorance of not knowing how to pro- tect our interest. But now, I think, we have reached that place in our struggle for a higher civilization, where we can, without even a chance for failure, co- op successfully. In forming any lit- tle co-operative business in the past, the wron"- fellow, usuallv, was selected to run it. Sometimes thev were whollv in- competent, besides being dishonest. Men have been selected because of their popularity or because they had more money, and given full power to run; things to suit themselves. Right here is where wg have failed. Ability to do business is the first and the most important asset. To be suc- cessful we must 1)orrow some ideas from the rich man's corporation. "Make good or get out," there is no compromise,! they areUold, relentless and even cruel in their, (15) decision. In the past, Negroes have been easy, in some cases of premeditated rob- bery we have let the accused go without prosecution, on the account of his fam- ily, or because he has been a good man heretofore. No person should hold a position unless qualified, while honesty counts for something, we cannot depend upon that alone. You can make a man honest by placing him in a shape where dishonesty would be disastrous to him. Most all of us have at some time in the past put our money in these co-operative concerns and never got any returns. We were glad -to do it, we swelled Avith pride, thinking of the great possibilities that might develop from such an enterprise, only to be fooled and robbed of our money. But now is the time we can profit by our mistakes, and go about it with more confidence of success. Here is what should be done : First, find out what kind of an enterprise would likely succeed in your particular neighborhood. If there is some special kind of industry peculiarly adapted for that district, and is being successfully carried on by the white capitalist, don't look any farther for an enterprise. Drive your stakes right there. It may look impossible, you will, no doubt, be laughed at for enter- taining such a thought, but remember that labor is the creative force that brings into existence all wealth, without the hand of labor there could be no wealth. We, as a race, are rich in this particular line. We have plentv of labor (16) waiting- to be trained to do any, no mat- ter how much skill is needed, kind of hon- \^st work. I will cite vou a case of racial co-operation among the Italians of a cer- tain city in this country. The Italian ice peddlers were being discriminated against, they could not get ice until everybody else was supplied. This was against them, it made them lose their trade ; it was a trick of the big ice con- *cern to force them out of the business, but instead it forced them into business. The ice peddlers called a meeting- and discussed the ice business until they reached one conclusion to co-op and build for themselves an ice plant. They did it, and today it is a great enter- prise for the ice peddlers of the Italian colony. We could do the same thing in any city, or even, in the country, we could co-op and own many big farms. Just think of more than 20,000 Negroes in a city of 200,000, a distribut- ing point, where you will find more than 200 large wholesale houses, and not one of them owned by a colored person, not even one department in any of them run by Negroes, not a Negro holding a cleri- cal job in any of them ; this state of af- fairs is not progress. I would like to, in this movement of bringing together mem])ers of the race, through a National Organization, in time, find enough people to co-op and build some great industrial institution, giving our race a chance to demonstrate their true worth. There are many ways to be (17) defrauded in sucli undertakings, besides, the ever-present chance of failure by mis- takes. The grafter looms up as our greatest danger, this scoundrel has mis- led and wrecked every good start we have had toward co-operation. Most ev- ery member of the race is ready for co- operation, but the grafter is one obstacle, hard to overcome. Here is one plan I shall offer to head off the grafter : Do no do business with a stranger until you are thoroughly con- vinced you are right. Say for instance, 500 people had agreed to put in $10.00 a piece to do a certain thing, of course some one will have to handle this money and they must be made responsible for the mone}'. Surety companies are glad at all times to do lousiness Avith us, and if a person should be rejected by the surety company, we could not use them. Another thing to avoid is, the one man proposition or "my co-operative con- cern," there is no such thing as one man running a co-op, it can not be co- operative unless every member is as big as everybody else in the co-op- We may choose someone competent to fill a certain place, but is subject to re- moval by a vote of the co-op. There have been co-operative stores started where one man run them because he had ■ the most money invested, they usually fail with everybody loser but the one man who ran them. With many of such irregularities happening everywhere (18) is our greatest drawback in starting fmething of any magnitude. We want an industrial organization of ch a proportion that nothing will be considered too big for it to undertake. When we, as a race can organize to the extent of a few 100,000 men and build in- dustries that will aggregate several mil- lion dollars, then we shall be on the road to a solution to the Negro problem. No- body has ever gained recognition without making some definite effort towards firmness of purpose or showing power of some sort. Weakness is always despised l)y the stronger, even though, the strong have made them weak. The time has come when we shall have to show our worth, whether w^e are fit to survive ; asking favors will not be tolerated long, we will face the world as failures. Let ns do something. THE END M D - 1 9. 5 Don't You Know Why? 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