ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
During the nine years the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America has been sponsoring Race-Relations Sunday, according to reports received, it has never been more universally observed and to a greater advantage than on Sunday, February 8.
"That the rising tide of lynchings and mob violence during the past year, it stated, brings every believer in human brotherhood face to face with his share of responsibility for the critical race problems in this country, is the claim of the race-relations commission Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America."
In commenting on the large number of lynchings during the past year it stated:
"Of what were these victims guilty? Some of them were not even accused of any crime; some had not even a trial to determine the truth or falsity of the accusation against them. A few were awaiting the executions of orderly court action. The law has been trampled underfoot in their murderous execution.
"America is now at the crossroads of interracial adjustment. One way leads to increased antagonism, prejudice, hatred and violence: the other to understanding, good-will, cooperation and fellowship. The turmoil in India, the chaos in China, the unrest in Africa, and other lands, need the example of methods in peaceful group adjustment which America may work out. The Churches of America have a golden opportunity to show the way of good will among Caucasians, Negroes, Mexicans, Indians, and Orientals, and our many foreign-speaking groups. The size of our population, the extent of material wealth in fields, forests, mines and machines, the principles of political equality and religious idealism we profess, all place upon us a responsibility for such action which we cannot ignore. The churches of America should furnish a field for practical experience in applying the Christian ethics of universal love to the problems of race.
"Race-Relation Sunday should be an occasion of renewing our vows to live by the fundamental religious, ideals of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. The world is searching for a better relationship between individuals and racial groups.
"The steamship, radio, areoplane and the other materialiInventions 'have brought peoples of different countries and customs closer together. The world needs to acquire a real Christian insight into the relations of race, and an historical perspective in race problems. The world Is becoming a physical neighborhood. The church must expand it into a moral and spiritual brotherhood.
FISK CELEBRATES
Fisk University at Nashville observed Race-Relation Sunday, February 8, by the faculty, students and friends gathering in Fisk Memorial chapel where they celebrated the honors conferred upon Fisk University in having on its faculty Charles S. Johnson, director of the division of social sciences. The particular reason for the celebration was the awarding of the Harmon medal and $400 to Johnson this year for his work in the social sciences. Ever since joining Fisk quality, Johnson has brought honors to the school through his department.
Among the speakers listed who took part in this celebration were Prof. E. Franklin Frazier, who spoke on "The Place of Social Sciences in a College Curriculum,” Dr. Robert E. Park, of the University of Chicago, spoke on the significance of the social science department at Fisk University, Dr. Alva W. Taylor of Vanderbilt, brought greetings from the citizens of Nashville. President Thomas E. Jones presented the Harmon Award and Charles S. Johnson responded.
On Monday evening the member of the faculty at Fisk gave a dinner to Johnson. This was the first public recognition of Johnson's services to the University since he returned from Liberia where he served as the only American in an International Commission to study labor conditions in that country. The report of the commission has grown a great deal of attention by the metropolitan papers and in Washington diplomatic circles to Johnson, Fisk University and Nashville.
WORLD PEACE
The Oakland Council of Churches plans a public mass meeting to be held February 24 in Plymouth Congregational church to discuss "World Court and World Peace." There will be national and internationally recognized speakers on the subject. The League of Nations association for northern California is now working with the National World Court committee in this particular.
PAUL ROBESON COMING
Citizens irrespective of race will soon be privileged to listen to the greatest Negro singer today on the stage when on February 27, Paul Robeson will give a song recital in Oakland, There are few singers of any race who have received more universal acclaim through the press than has Paul Robeson. His brilliance at high school won for him a scholarship; he entered Rutledge college where he won his "R" in football, basketball and track sport, being one of the few "4" letter men of that college. It has been reported that Walter Camp called Paul Robeson, the greatest defensive end that ever trod the gridiron. He won the Phi Beta Kappa key in his junior year graduating as the perfect type of college man. Of all the worldwide complimentary press comments to Paul Robeson, the race will greatly appreciate the fine editorial recently appearing in the Chicago Tribune. The editorial was based upon an interview by a Tribune’s reporter and Paul Robeson.
HONORS WON
Local Negro talent recently won honors when Charles Strather was elected secretary of the Musician's Protective Association local No. 648 A. F. M. Strather is a law student and so far as any record is known is the only Negro in the United States who for 11 years has been employed as a clerical assistant in the United States court of appeals.
Judge Curtis D Wilbur as one of the judges in this court. Strather is also an Elk chancellor commander of the K. of P. (Pride of the West) lodge and also a Shriner.
Another member of the race won singular honors when Mrs. Maty MacAdoo of Knareborough Circle, Companion of Foresters, was elected grand auditor for the supreme Grand Circle, Companion of the Ancient Order of Foresters.
Mrs. MacAdoo is a member of the standing committee recently organized by Delilah L. Beasley to work with the Oakland community chest.
RECEPTION HELD {ENTERTAIN GRADUATES}
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baker of Oakland gave a reception last Friday evening in the University of California Y. W. C. A. building on the campus honoring Miss Thelma DuBois Brown, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. L. Brown of Mt. Pleasant-Baptist church of Berkeley. A musical program was furnished by local artists. Miss Brown is popular with a large group of people. She earned her tuition through University of California by singing oven the radio, and had the privilege of being the first of her race to sing in the International House of University of California campus where she sang a group of spirituals at one of the afternoon sessions of the recent Institute of International Relations. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are becoming nationally known for their generous encouragement of the youth of their race to acquire educational advantages
ENTERTAIN GRADUATES
The northern district California Federation of Colored Women's clubs, entertained with a reception on Wednesday evening in Linden branch Y. W. C. A. honoring the Negro graduates at winter term, of University of California. They were the Misses Thelma D. Brown, Grace Hackett, Jessie Ridley and Eula Edwards. The affair was largely attended. Mrs. C. Sledge as president of the district made the presentation address which featured advice as to what their responsibility to their race should mean to these graduates because of their educational advantages. She urged them to try and remember the clubwomen's motto "Lifting As We Climb." On behalf of the Federated clubwomen, Mrs. Sledge then presented each girl graduate with a bouquet of cut flowers.
COMMERCIAL CLUB
The Louisiana Commercial club on account of the large amount of unemployment among members will not hold their annual pageant, but instead in order to keep alive the traditions of the organization, will hold a reception and dance on Monday evening, February 16, in auditorium of the Ebel Club.
NEGRO HISTORY
The Health and Education committee of Linden branch Y. W. C. A. has arranged to celebrate National Negro History week beginning today at 8 p. m. with a program of vocal and instrumental numbers by Miss Miriam McCard, Esther Haywood and David Sands while Mrs. Theo L. Purnell will give glimpses of the life of Frederick Douglass. Miss Thelma Johnson will give a reading. It will interest the reader to know that last week the Play Makers of Berkeley had among their players two Negro girls. Miss Thelma Johnson, and Miss Tarea Pittman. The TRIBUNE. in the "Curtain Call," column of Wednesday carried a complimentary reference to Miss Johnson's acting, which marks the beginning of what the "Play Makers" hope will be the introduction of a little theater of Negro actors for northern California.
STANDING COMMITTEE
It was most gratifying to have such a hearty response on last Thursday evening to the call for the first meeting of representatives from Negro lodge and women's club to form a "standing committee'' to work with the Oakland Community Chest during 1911. It meant much to have this large body of representative leaders many of whom at the same hour had lodge, and business engagements, to attend this meeting.
It certainly was a history-making event in the life of the colored citizens of Oakland because it definitely proved to the officials of the community chest that this group of citizens stand ready to cooperate in any movement which has for its object the advancement of relief of mankind, irrespective of race or color. Just such a spirit of wholehearted cooperation is needed from all citizens with the community chest this year and the needs are so great.
Some idea of the value of the community chest agencies in these times of unemployment can be gained from statements made by Director Mowart, when addressing this committee. He said:
"A survey has just been made of the activities of our 53 chest agencies for January. It was discovered that they had served 54,917 free meal last month. The Salvation Army fed more men in December alone, than in the entire year of 1929."
The duties of this standing committee were explained to them as "educational" to explain to members of their organizations. What the chest can do and what it cannot do. After the address by Mowart, two members of the committee immediately volunteered their service to solicit funds for the 1931 drive. The remarks were followed by Most Venerable Patriarch John C. Rivers stating, "he had joined the committee to make the 1931 campaign a success," adding he had asked seven lodges who had pledged him their Community chest contribution to give more this year. These remarks were met with a round of hearty applause giving evidence that the entire committee meant to do what they can for the success of the community chest campaign for funds in the drive.
Activities Among Negroes/Sun, Feb 15, 1931 15 Feb 1931, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com
