The American Missionary — Volume 34, No. 3, March, 1880Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 34, No. 3, March, 1880
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
No one can regret more than we do the prejudice which exists, in this
country especially, against the colored man. And there is no doubt
that, as Dr. Blyden observes, even among those who are not unmoved by
the story of his wrongs, and who are earnestly engaged in philanthropic
efforts for his uplifting, this personal prejudice and sense of
superiority does exist. That it is not so to anything like the same
degree in England and on the Continent, is suggestive in the light it
casts upon the fact among us. On what is the difference of feeling
founded? Certainly not altogether in the natural race-prejudice. That
is a fact not to be denied. There is a prejudice which is universal
between all people of distinct races of men. It is felt by the original
inhabitants of Africa against the Caucasian, as Dr. B. shows, as well
as by the white man in his own home against the black. But in this
land, the prejudice is intensified by the position and the character of
those who have made up the negro population.
Dr. Blyden objects to our calling the Negro, Indian and Chinaman
“the despised races.” He even dislikes to have Africa called “the
Dark Continent.” Of course, our brother knows that the sympathies of
this Association are, as they have always been, with these people of
his land, and that our toils and labors have not been limited, nor
of brief continuance, in their behalf. All this he most fully and
kindly acknowledges in his article. It is hardly necessary for us to
say, then, that we have used the term as describing what is, and as
contrasted with what ought to be. It is true, rightly or wrongly,
that they have been looked down upon and are still despised. And
we have used the word as setting forth the fact, and as, therefore,
the strongest plea to Christian sympathy and help; for we have been
sure that where we could enlist these, the term would no longer have
application. The good Samaritan did not despise the poor Jew who had
fallen among thieves, as he held him up on the ass which bore him to
the inn. He was too busy pitying and helping him. Perhaps this is
enough to say. We have used the term “the Despised Races” not as an
epithet, but as a plea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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