Headlines and Footlights
May 8, 1943
p. 24
THE GRIST MILL
There has been much talk of late about the new Negro, his place in the new world, and how he is to get there. PV has plugged week in and week out for a better showing for the Negro in the picture world and some progress has been made. But like everything else, in this world of dollars and cents, an economic effort must be put forth is the kind of job which is needed, is going to be done.
I see no reason why such an organization as NAACP, whose task it is to fight for the rights of Negroes, should enter into a project which would lay an educational foundation for both black and white. The most obvious medium for such propaganda is the screen.
The history of the Negro race is a fertile and unexplored field. Full length pictures should not be attempted at this time. That would be too risk[y] and expensive; but short subjects could be done on a minimum budget and sold to chain as well as independent theatres, which in turn would assure producers, a maximum patronage. Let’s suppose that the NAACP puts on a special drive for funds for this purpose, appealing to Negroes throughout the country, rich and poor, and using as its slogan, Investment for Your Freedom, setting as its goal a million dollars. (And don’t get the idea this is a lot of money or that the Negroes haven’t got it, there are just thirteen million of us.) Now we are in a position to interest that army of liberals who are in the picture business. We pick our historical characters, seay [sic] Crispus Attucks as the first, trace his colorful life up to his death on Boston Commons. This story, well written, directed and produced, would give new pride to millions of Negroes in this country who have possibly never heard of Crispus Attucks or knew that it was a Negro who was first to lay down his life in defense of this land. And what a revelation it would be to the whites. A new respect would be of necessity be born for us. Pride is an extremely important asset if used properly and it is sorely needed among our people. For instance, we should know all there is to know about Harriet Tubman and her underground railroad for the freedom of slaves and be proud of her courage and daring in the face of the most harrowing dangers. She was illiterate but she outwitted the literate in as brave if not braver fashion than today’s courageous fighters against fascist bullets on the bloddy [sic] battle fields [sic] of Europe, North Africa and the South Pacific. These are things we Negroes must take pride in, for therein lies the courage to accomplish the task before us.
It would not be difficult to solicit the services of top artists in the business at a minimum rate. You see, it is seldom a Negro actor ever has an opportunity to play an honest to goodness role. It would be a field day for those in the theatre to be able to portray a part which lives, breathes and accomplishes a purpose. Suppose you saw advertised in your daily or weekly paper, “The Life of Fredrick Douglass,” starring Paul Robeson, at the Strand Theatre? Would you go? Of course you would and so would so many, many others.
The beauty of doing such a series is that you are dealing in facts and not fiction. The potentialities are unending. Even the south can be invaded for she too has claim to Negroes who have made outstanding contributions. An inroad could be made in that territory with the life of Booker T. Washington or George Washington Carver. Once you break through, it would be less difficult to sell them the more progressive characters.
Now getting back to the NAACP, I choose this organization to do the job because it is nationally known, has the prestige and the facilities for organizing and has evinced interest in this direction. The long-range gains through such a venture, [sic] could be sizable for the NAACP, and in turn for the Negro people. Why, even a few of the cracker Senators might look at us through different eyes after seeing a few of these shorts, and ease-up on there [sic] filibusters when a bill in favor of Negroes comes up on the floor. That’s much to hope for, but it’s worth a try. And try we must in one way or another, for the time has come to muster up all of our resources in a unified effort in order to ward off once and for all the dangers which are now besetting us by a vicious network of fascist minded whites, who are hell bent on putting us in our so called place and keeping us there. Many of us refuse to recognize the evil perpertrated [sic] against us but it is happening around us each day and if we do nothing much longer, we will find ourselves in the position where we have no voice or power with [w]hich to do. I advocate education via the screen, as one of the most effective methods of co[m]bating discrimination. This column could be interested in hearing your ideas on the subject. What method would you suggest.