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Editorial
September 21, 1946
The Detroit Tribune
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
What is this article about?
Victor L. Hicks responds to a letter criticizing his column for not addressing Negro problems, defending his emphasis on future historical significance over current events, rejecting fate, and suggesting books on trends and knowledge.
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WHAT ABOUT YOU?
By VICTOR L. HICKS
This writer received a letter
from an anonymous, thick-skinned
creature of doubtful understanding in which he stated that
this column needed to talk about
Negro problems or to discuss
happenings that affected Negroes.
Let the carpenter of this little
pent-house say that the leaders
of the people are tough and wiry.
They can stand
criticism
and
either bear it
well or put up
with it. Now the
pretender: he is
a different fellow.
Any remark or conclusion in the nature of seeming
unfriendliness or even good-humored banter is so intolerable
that the very roots of his soul are shaken and pressed
to produce a veritable Niagara
in response to his jangled
nerves. This column is not devoted to what happened yesterday nor particularly concerned
with what happens today; it's
tomorrow that is historical and
significant in the life of a people.
This column takes no stock in
FATE.
People only speak of
FATE
when they have blundered.
There are many fine
columnists who spend all their
time writing about the things
that particularly affect the Negro.
They do a marvelous job
writing forth all that's pertinent. We take a different tack
and we shall continue as we are.
This writer does not accept any
others of his journalistic
Another.
Most writers are far
more interesting and write of
things or people who wish
to be
written about.
This column is devoted to doing as near
the opposite as it is possible to
and the writer likes it.
Now I have answered that letter, so what? As not to entirely
waste these lines in wasteful
talk it might be well to suggest
to my ardent correspondent that
he read a few things about trends
and actions. It might help in
having a sort of modern state-
of mind. May I suggest the following in line with his taste—
1. "Black Boy"
2. "Democracy Limited"
3. "A Rising Wind"
Not that there is anything particularly in them but they fit his
taste.
Then if I may be so bold as to
suggest some inkling in which
there is something
1. Patriotism Limited.
London, 1933
2. "Masaryk Tells His Story."
Prague, 1934
3. "The Man of the Renaissance."
N. Y., 1933
4. "A Comparison of Crassus
with Nicias."
London, 1943.
May you have the blessings of
knowledge and the fellowship
of its undaunted spirit be with us
now and forever AMEN.
By VICTOR L. HICKS
This writer received a letter
from an anonymous, thick-skinned
creature of doubtful understanding in which he stated that
this column needed to talk about
Negro problems or to discuss
happenings that affected Negroes.
Let the carpenter of this little
pent-house say that the leaders
of the people are tough and wiry.
They can stand
criticism
and
either bear it
well or put up
with it. Now the
pretender: he is
a different fellow.
Any remark or conclusion in the nature of seeming
unfriendliness or even good-humored banter is so intolerable
that the very roots of his soul are shaken and pressed
to produce a veritable Niagara
in response to his jangled
nerves. This column is not devoted to what happened yesterday nor particularly concerned
with what happens today; it's
tomorrow that is historical and
significant in the life of a people.
This column takes no stock in
FATE.
People only speak of
FATE
when they have blundered.
There are many fine
columnists who spend all their
time writing about the things
that particularly affect the Negro.
They do a marvelous job
writing forth all that's pertinent. We take a different tack
and we shall continue as we are.
This writer does not accept any
others of his journalistic
Another.
Most writers are far
more interesting and write of
things or people who wish
to be
written about.
This column is devoted to doing as near
the opposite as it is possible to
and the writer likes it.
Now I have answered that letter, so what? As not to entirely
waste these lines in wasteful
talk it might be well to suggest
to my ardent correspondent that
he read a few things about trends
and actions. It might help in
having a sort of modern state-
of mind. May I suggest the following in line with his taste—
1. "Black Boy"
2. "Democracy Limited"
3. "A Rising Wind"
Not that there is anything particularly in them but they fit his
taste.
Then if I may be so bold as to
suggest some inkling in which
there is something
1. Patriotism Limited.
London, 1933
2. "Masaryk Tells His Story."
Prague, 1934
3. "The Man of the Renaissance."
N. Y., 1933
4. "A Comparison of Crassus
with Nicias."
London, 1943.
May you have the blessings of
knowledge and the fellowship
of its undaunted spirit be with us
now and forever AMEN.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Negro Problems
Column Defense
Racial Issues
Future Focus
Book Suggestions
Journalistic Approach
What entities or persons were involved?
Victor L. Hicks
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Column's Approach To Negro Issues
Stance / Tone
Defensive And Dismissive Of Critic, Promoting Future Focused Perspective
Key Figures
Victor L. Hicks
Key Arguments
Leaders Can Withstand Criticism Unlike Pretenders
Column Focuses On Tomorrow's Significance Rather Than Yesterday Or Today
Rejects The Concept Of Fate As An Excuse For Blunders
Other Columnists Handle Current Negro Issues Well; This One Takes A Different Tack
Suggests Reading Books On Trends And Actions For Modern Understanding
Recommends Specific Books Fitting The Critic's Taste And Broader Insights