Unfettered: A NovelGriggs, Sutton E. (Sutton Elbert)
General
Unfettered: A Novel
Griggs, Sutton E. (Sutton Elbert)
African Americans -- Fiction; United States -- Race relations -- Fiction
In whatever direction we turn we find evidence of the universality of this
law. The voices of science, history and sociology in unbroken harmony sing
to the Negro of the necessity of co-operative effort. We must, therefore,
proceed at once to the formation of a racial organization truly
representative, and able to present the combined resources of the race to
the work before us. When this is done the Race Problem will at once assume
an acute phase; for the aggregate wisdom and power of the Negro none can
wisely ignore. Especially is it to be borne in mind that an aggregation of
the kind indicated is calculated to reveal, to develop, to impart added
greatness to men already peculiarly endowed with powers of aggressive
leadership. We must, then, add to the equation the enormous impetus to be
given to causes by the presence of great spirits arousing and guiding the
thoughts and energies of earnest, daring millions.
RENOVATION.
When our great organization has been effected it must proceed to the
diligent study of such traits and environing influences as have in the past
operated to impair the spirit of co-operation. Locating the weak points, we
must proceed to induce in the Negro such mental and moral characteristics,
and must so regulate his environments as to insure efficient co-operation
for all the future.
It is an evident fact that the spirit of jealousy is more prevalent in some
individuals than in others. The like may be asserted with regard to races.
Among the Negroes there appears to be an inordinate development of this
feeling of jealousy, which makes itself felt among the humblest and among
the highest. Success on the part of a Negro would appear to be a standing
invitation for the shooting of arrows into his bosom. While a strict
surveillance over leaders is highly commendable, the baneful effects of
hypercriticism and jealous intrigues are far reaching. Our racial
organization must tear up by the roots this extraordinary predisposition
toward jealousy and plant in its stead the flower of brotherly love.
During our prolonged existence in a state of individualism, each man
working for himself and by himself, there was but little to engender in a
man the spirit of sacrifice in the interest of the race as an aggregation.
When our racial organization is perfected we must write upon every man's
heart the following words, causing each one to feel in his own case: "It is
expedient for us, that one man should die for the people."
In the work of further congealing the race, of inducing in it the social
instincts so needful for efficient co-operation, we have the aid of the
scorching flames of race prejudice which flash in the faces of all Negroes
thus driving them closer together.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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