The Colored Americans’ field is the entire United States. They are an
integral part of the nation the same as other citizens, and their rapid
progress entitles them to an occupation of that field on a par with all
others.
We are fast getting rid of the vulgar epithets heaped upon citizens of
the United States who are Jews, Germans, Irish, etc., and the vulgar
epithets hurled at Colored citizens of the United States on account of
their color.
The time is soon coming, therefore, to ask: Why should we say, “Colored
Americans?” Let us advance to the next Government census and forestall
an episode to see how it would work:
The scene is supposed to be in the year 1920 and represents the United
States census taker of that period going his rounds and making
inquiries. He calls upon a well known Jewish citizen, and the following
conversation takes place:
“Mr. Solomon Isaacs, what is your nationality?” Mr. Isaacs replies: “I
am an American citizen, I was born in Chicago in the 19th Ward.” The
examining man asks: “Are you not a Jew?” Mr. Isaacs replies: “No, sir, I
am an American.” “But your nose,—” “My nose has nothing to do with my
nationality.” This being true, the Jew is allowed to go.
Calling next upon Mr. Patrick McGillicuddy, he opens his book:
“Patrick McGillicuddy, what is your nationality?” Mr. McGillicuddy makes
the same answers as the Jew. “But,” says the examiner, “Your long square
chin and protruding lower jaw proclaim you an—”
“My chin, sir, has nothing to do with my nationality.” So the Irishman
is passed.
Next in succession come visits to the Italian, the Spaniard, the
Japanese, the Chinese, the Russian, the Hindoo, and so on. All these men
deny that they are anything but Americans. The examiner points out their
nationality in their features, but is told that features, face,
complexion, noses, chins, or hair, have nothing to do with nationality.
They were all born in this country and there is nothing more to be said.
“I AM AN AMERICAN, SIR”
Finally, the examiner brightens up. He has found something that can not
be disputed. He calls upon George Washington Adams. “Ahem, Mr. Adams,
what is your nationality?” Mr. Adams responds: “I am an American, sir.”
The examiner is puzzled, but revives. “Are you not a Negro?” Mr. Adams,
having learned something from the Jew, the Irishman and the others,
replies: “No, sir, I am not a Negro, I am an American born in the United
States.”
“But, your color indicates that you are a Neg—.” “My color, sir, has
nothing whatever to do with my nationality, no more, in fact, than the
Jew’s nose, the Irishman’s jaw, or the Spaniard’s olive face, the
Russian’s matted hair, the Swede’s blonde whiskers, the Chinaman’s
pigtail, the Italian’s earrings, or the Indian’s scalplock. According to
the United States Constitution and all the laws thereunder, my color has
been erased and I am an American to all intents and purposes, the same
as you.”
After recovering from his swoon, the census taker goes out to the
nearest saloon, takes some refreshments and begins a movement to have
the legislature enact a law, prohibiting Colored Americans from
breathing the same atmosphere as other Americans. But the scheme fails
because when it comes to the question of color, the Jews, Spaniards,
Italians, Frenchmen, Mexicans, and so on, would be affected.
Of course this appears ridiculous. It is not intended to be ridiculous,
however, but suggested in sober earnest. It is what has been going on in
this country for several decades, and it is time to stop such folly.
The main point is, that the whole of the United States is the fair field
for the exploitation by Colored Americans. And there will not be the
slightest obstacle in the way of such exploitation, if Colored Americans
drop the past and look to the future. It is not supposable that ten
millions of people, who, in another generation will number twenty
millions, can be extirpated or crowded out of the enjoyment of human
rights because of the prejudices of a few persons who judge from their
own standpoint.
To show how fast this field is being exploited by Colored Americans
would require a large volume of statistics, but the essentials may be
given so that it may be inferred that the field is in a fair way of
being occupied.
Our most valuable account, strangely enough, comes from an English
source:
In 1911 a commission was sent by the English Board of Trade to the
United States to investigate the cost of living in American towns, but
the report included important information concerning the occupations of
Colored Americans in cities of the United States.
It appears from the report that the Colored Americans in New York City,
in spite of the industrial barriers that exist there, contain within
themselves most of the elements, professional, trading, and industrial,
that go to make up the life of other and more normally situated
communities.