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Editorial
April 3, 1942
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Editorial by Schidell argues against forgetting the history of slavery, emphasizing its inspirational value through ancestors' stories, songs, and struggles, drawing from the author's father's escape from slavery.
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Let Us Reason
By SCHIDELL
REMEMBERING VS FORGETTING
We are forced to take opposite views to certain educators at Washington as well as certain news-papers with regard to the issue being made concerning various songs depicting the former life of the Colored American. the use of certain words such as "darky". etc. But we would like to assure these men and women who protest against the use of the old songs that we (the writer) take our position not as an Uncle Tom type of person, but a person who can't understand (maybe we are dumb) why the colored man "wants to forget slavery" as is charged by many of our modern-day folk.
To my mind the memory of those dark days and the perils and hardships of our ancestors. their prayers for deliverance, their soul stirring songs directed to the very gates of Heaven, for freedom, their subsequent progress against all odds, is a history any race should be proud of, rather than seek to forget.
Where, may I ask, or from whence will come any incentive to drive and fight for future advancement, without the knowledge of the source of our beginning. without the stories and songs of our fathers ringing in our ears, without the faith in God and ourselves left by them as a precious heritage to us, without being able to look back and gather from the past a battle cry from the persecutions and blood and tears of our kindred of yesterday.
My father was a slave until he was 13 years of age at which time he (the Young) thru determination, brought on by a sense of feeling that things were not as they should be. and that God had not destined him for chains, liberated himself by a bold escape. He lived to the age of 86 years and the stories he has told me when I was a mere child. of his escape, treatment, and hardships. the stories told me by many of the older people of that time, remained and shall remain in my memory until the end of my days. What ambition I have and all I shall hope to be I owe to the memory of my grandsires. who fought, suffered, prayed and died, many in chains in order that I might today cherish the hope of a still more real freedom. It has never mattered to me when anyone said "Tis Summer The Darkies Are Gay" or "Massa's In De' Cold. Cold Groun' ". etc. I have sought to see in those songs a picture that should inspire all colored Americans to greater things, to higher acts of gratitude to those oppressed souls who gave so much to us. Yea, the memory of those. slaves should be
By SCHIDELL
REMEMBERING VS FORGETTING
We are forced to take opposite views to certain educators at Washington as well as certain news-papers with regard to the issue being made concerning various songs depicting the former life of the Colored American. the use of certain words such as "darky". etc. But we would like to assure these men and women who protest against the use of the old songs that we (the writer) take our position not as an Uncle Tom type of person, but a person who can't understand (maybe we are dumb) why the colored man "wants to forget slavery" as is charged by many of our modern-day folk.
To my mind the memory of those dark days and the perils and hardships of our ancestors. their prayers for deliverance, their soul stirring songs directed to the very gates of Heaven, for freedom, their subsequent progress against all odds, is a history any race should be proud of, rather than seek to forget.
Where, may I ask, or from whence will come any incentive to drive and fight for future advancement, without the knowledge of the source of our beginning. without the stories and songs of our fathers ringing in our ears, without the faith in God and ourselves left by them as a precious heritage to us, without being able to look back and gather from the past a battle cry from the persecutions and blood and tears of our kindred of yesterday.
My father was a slave until he was 13 years of age at which time he (the Young) thru determination, brought on by a sense of feeling that things were not as they should be. and that God had not destined him for chains, liberated himself by a bold escape. He lived to the age of 86 years and the stories he has told me when I was a mere child. of his escape, treatment, and hardships. the stories told me by many of the older people of that time, remained and shall remain in my memory until the end of my days. What ambition I have and all I shall hope to be I owe to the memory of my grandsires. who fought, suffered, prayed and died, many in chains in order that I might today cherish the hope of a still more real freedom. It has never mattered to me when anyone said "Tis Summer The Darkies Are Gay" or "Massa's In De' Cold. Cold Groun' ". etc. I have sought to see in those songs a picture that should inspire all colored Americans to greater things, to higher acts of gratitude to those oppressed souls who gave so much to us. Yea, the memory of those. slaves should be
What sub-type of article is it?
Slavery Abolition
Social Reform
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Remembering Slavery
Racial Heritage
Old Songs
Colored American
Ancestors Struggles
Slavery Memory
What entities or persons were involved?
Schidell
Author's Father
Ancestors
Colored American
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Remembering Versus Forgetting Slavery's History
Stance / Tone
Advocating Preservation Of Slavery's Memory For Inspiration And Progress
Key Figures
Schidell
Author's Father
Ancestors
Colored American
Key Arguments
Memory Of Slavery's Hardships And Ancestors' Progress Inspires Future Advancement
Old Songs Depicting Slavery Should Not Be Protested But Used For Inspiration
Forgetting Slavery Removes Incentive And Heritage From The Race
Author's Father's Escape Story Fuels Personal Ambition And Hope For Freedom