Congressman DePriest Flays Segregation in Fourth of July Speech, p.3.
Dublin Core
Title
Congressman DePriest Flays Segregation in Fourth of July Speech, p.3.
Description
"If Separate Street Car Laws, Why Not Separate Bedrooms?
If Sucking at Breasts of “Black Mammies” Didn’t Hurt White Men, How will Riding on the Same Conveyances with Negros Hurt them? Asks Congressman.
WASHINGTON- Hurling defiance at all those, white and black, who felt that the Negro should not enjoy every right any other American citizen did in this country, Congressman Oscar DePriest brought applause from an audience of 500 people in an Independence Day speech on the grounds of Capitol View Baptist Church here, July 4. “The Fourth of July is the day when America celebrates the anniversary of its independence,” he said. “The black man has just as much right to celebrate as anyone else. It was a black man, Crispus Attucks, who shed the first blood in Boston at the hands of the British Redcoats in the fight for independence. We are going to keep up the fight until we enjoy all the privileges of American citizens.”
Dual System
There was no mincing of words. He pictured the evils of the dual social system, the degradation of colored women, the ruination of home and happiness. All attributed to the efforts to keep the Negro down. “The Negro has been a patriot in every American war; 400,000 made the sacrifice in the World War to make the world safe for democracy. How I wish they could have democracy! More than 200,000 took part in the Civil War. “Since we have been such loyal soldiers to America, why shouldn’t we be good enough to be officers in the army or the navy? When I nominated the first boy for West Point. I told the committee to select one that everyone would know was a Negro boy.
Old Time Negro
“There is no such thing as racial inferiority. The old time Negro has been a determinant to the advancement of the race in this respect. When a man thinks he is inferior to someone. He is inferior to himself also. Some say that I should not enjoy certain rights under the Constitution. They know no better.” Speaking on social equality. With perspiration in beads on his brow, the Congressman declared: “Social equality does not mean anything. It is up to each individual to make his own social contacts. If a person wants to invite somebody to his table, it is his business.
“Black Mammies”
“I hear men of the Caucasian race bragging about their black mammies. It doesn’t seem that sucking at the mammies’ breasts hurt their health. Then how is it going to hurt them to ride on the same street car? “If the white man is going to insist on separate street cars, separate waiting rooms, and the like, he should pass a separate bedroom law too. “When the Negros first came to this country, they were all black. If they are not black now, it is because there has been a great deal of social equality practiced somewhere. “The Negro should exercise every right that any other American exercises. When I first entered the Congressional lunchroom, a representative stated that he would not eat there. He will have a long time to stay away. Some barbers sent me word to not come into their shops. The very next day I would go in.
Get Accustomed
“I’d just as soon as be eating corn bread and cabbage on U Street, as to be in the Capitol lunch room eating soft-shell crabs. But it is my desire to educate the Congressmen so that they will get accustomed to seeing Negroes in every place at the Capitol.” The Congressman related the history of the way that white factions secured his indictment and attempted to keep him from Congress. He told of the offer to withdraw the Indictment if he would withdraw from the race. “Even after I was elected,” he continued. “The Negro press, especially the Afro-American in Baltimore, stated that I would not be seated.” Touching upon the more recent fight against the confirmation of Judge Parker of North Carolina, he declared “I didn’t know who Parker was at first, but thanks to the N.A.A.C.P, I know now.
Who Cares?
“After Parker’s attitude toward the Negro had been exposed, President Hoover still insisted on his confirmation. There was nothing to do but defeat him. During the fight against Parker a Congressman said to me. “The President will not like what you are doing.” My reply was, “If he doesn’t who cares?” Before God made the Republican he made the Negro, and my interests are with the race” Speaking of his work in Congress, Mr. DePriest explained: “My mission is to do something for the American people, and vote for legislation which will benefit them. That will benefit you, because you are a part of the American people.” Seated on the platform with the Congressman were: the Rev. R. W. Brooks, pastor of Lincoln Temple: R.G. Biars, manager of the Suburban Gardens; the Rev. W. H. Jernigan, pastor of the Mt, Carmel Baptist Church, and the Rev. J. S Holloman, who presided. All except the Rev. Jernigan spoke in the preliminary program. The meeting was held in the open air, the church not being large enough to hold the crowds which overflowed the grounds around the church. For more than an hour he held his listeners under control. On the least pretext the audience broke into the wildest cheering and hand clapping. His utterances were rapid, almost cyclonic. Unbound hatred for the person or persons who did not believe that the Negro should enjoy all the rights of an American citizen were stamped in his every act and word. The crowd was forced to stand during the address were eagerly besieging the platform at 3 o’clock. Those with physical frames shrank from standing during the lengthy preliminaries, stepped back, but closed in when the Congressman arose to speak. The Congressman was the guest of the day at the palatial home of Captain and Mrs. C. E Gibson. 4901 Blaine Street, ne. Captain Gibson is a retired fire-chief of the No. 4 Engine Company. Just prior to the afternoon program, an appetizing four-course dinner was served in honor of the guest. Plates were laid for eleven. Those present at the occasion were: R.J. Biars. W. Anson Longe. Samuel S. Fletcher, Bruce Stewart, Howard Thrasher of No. 4 Fire company. Thomas Morgan, Mrs. Nannie Gordon, Mrs. Rose Jenkins, house guest, of Knoxville, Andrew Mundy, Captain and Mrs. Gibson. Refreshments were served by the host at the competition of the afternoon program."
If Sucking at Breasts of “Black Mammies” Didn’t Hurt White Men, How will Riding on the Same Conveyances with Negros Hurt them? Asks Congressman.
WASHINGTON- Hurling defiance at all those, white and black, who felt that the Negro should not enjoy every right any other American citizen did in this country, Congressman Oscar DePriest brought applause from an audience of 500 people in an Independence Day speech on the grounds of Capitol View Baptist Church here, July 4. “The Fourth of July is the day when America celebrates the anniversary of its independence,” he said. “The black man has just as much right to celebrate as anyone else. It was a black man, Crispus Attucks, who shed the first blood in Boston at the hands of the British Redcoats in the fight for independence. We are going to keep up the fight until we enjoy all the privileges of American citizens.”
Dual System
There was no mincing of words. He pictured the evils of the dual social system, the degradation of colored women, the ruination of home and happiness. All attributed to the efforts to keep the Negro down. “The Negro has been a patriot in every American war; 400,000 made the sacrifice in the World War to make the world safe for democracy. How I wish they could have democracy! More than 200,000 took part in the Civil War. “Since we have been such loyal soldiers to America, why shouldn’t we be good enough to be officers in the army or the navy? When I nominated the first boy for West Point. I told the committee to select one that everyone would know was a Negro boy.
Old Time Negro
“There is no such thing as racial inferiority. The old time Negro has been a determinant to the advancement of the race in this respect. When a man thinks he is inferior to someone. He is inferior to himself also. Some say that I should not enjoy certain rights under the Constitution. They know no better.” Speaking on social equality. With perspiration in beads on his brow, the Congressman declared: “Social equality does not mean anything. It is up to each individual to make his own social contacts. If a person wants to invite somebody to his table, it is his business.
“Black Mammies”
“I hear men of the Caucasian race bragging about their black mammies. It doesn’t seem that sucking at the mammies’ breasts hurt their health. Then how is it going to hurt them to ride on the same street car? “If the white man is going to insist on separate street cars, separate waiting rooms, and the like, he should pass a separate bedroom law too. “When the Negros first came to this country, they were all black. If they are not black now, it is because there has been a great deal of social equality practiced somewhere. “The Negro should exercise every right that any other American exercises. When I first entered the Congressional lunchroom, a representative stated that he would not eat there. He will have a long time to stay away. Some barbers sent me word to not come into their shops. The very next day I would go in.
Get Accustomed
“I’d just as soon as be eating corn bread and cabbage on U Street, as to be in the Capitol lunch room eating soft-shell crabs. But it is my desire to educate the Congressmen so that they will get accustomed to seeing Negroes in every place at the Capitol.” The Congressman related the history of the way that white factions secured his indictment and attempted to keep him from Congress. He told of the offer to withdraw the Indictment if he would withdraw from the race. “Even after I was elected,” he continued. “The Negro press, especially the Afro-American in Baltimore, stated that I would not be seated.” Touching upon the more recent fight against the confirmation of Judge Parker of North Carolina, he declared “I didn’t know who Parker was at first, but thanks to the N.A.A.C.P, I know now.
Who Cares?
“After Parker’s attitude toward the Negro had been exposed, President Hoover still insisted on his confirmation. There was nothing to do but defeat him. During the fight against Parker a Congressman said to me. “The President will not like what you are doing.” My reply was, “If he doesn’t who cares?” Before God made the Republican he made the Negro, and my interests are with the race” Speaking of his work in Congress, Mr. DePriest explained: “My mission is to do something for the American people, and vote for legislation which will benefit them. That will benefit you, because you are a part of the American people.” Seated on the platform with the Congressman were: the Rev. R. W. Brooks, pastor of Lincoln Temple: R.G. Biars, manager of the Suburban Gardens; the Rev. W. H. Jernigan, pastor of the Mt, Carmel Baptist Church, and the Rev. J. S Holloman, who presided. All except the Rev. Jernigan spoke in the preliminary program. The meeting was held in the open air, the church not being large enough to hold the crowds which overflowed the grounds around the church. For more than an hour he held his listeners under control. On the least pretext the audience broke into the wildest cheering and hand clapping. His utterances were rapid, almost cyclonic. Unbound hatred for the person or persons who did not believe that the Negro should enjoy all the rights of an American citizen were stamped in his every act and word. The crowd was forced to stand during the address were eagerly besieging the platform at 3 o’clock. Those with physical frames shrank from standing during the lengthy preliminaries, stepped back, but closed in when the Congressman arose to speak. The Congressman was the guest of the day at the palatial home of Captain and Mrs. C. E Gibson. 4901 Blaine Street, ne. Captain Gibson is a retired fire-chief of the No. 4 Engine Company. Just prior to the afternoon program, an appetizing four-course dinner was served in honor of the guest. Plates were laid for eleven. Those present at the occasion were: R.J. Biars. W. Anson Longe. Samuel S. Fletcher, Bruce Stewart, Howard Thrasher of No. 4 Fire company. Thomas Morgan, Mrs. Nannie Gordon, Mrs. Rose Jenkins, house guest, of Knoxville, Andrew Mundy, Captain and Mrs. Gibson. Refreshments were served by the host at the competition of the afternoon program."
Creator
N/A
Publisher
Baltimore Afro-American
Date
1930-7-12
Collection
Citation
N/A, “Congressman DePriest Flays Segregation in Fourth of July Speech, p.3.,” African American Fourth of July, accessed April 27, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/83.