Atlanta Daily World

Get Self-Reliance,
Dr. Bethune Urges
Dillard Graduates
NEW ORLEANS - Eighty-nine graduates of Dillard University were urged Wednesday by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, founder and president emeritus of Florida's Bethune-Cookman College,
to emancipate themselves from a philosophy of dependence.
The occasion was the 16th commencement, held Wednesday at Kearny Terrace on the University campus.
"I feel that, as a racial group, we have accepted long enough the role of protege of a people relying heavily on the assistance of others for protection and support," said Dr. Bethune. "I feel that, in our own thinking, too many of us have established for themselves a position as permanent beneficiaries of help from others, and have regarded that help as an obligation incurred by our years of involuntary servitude.
"And I feel that the time has now come for a new emancipation - a greater emancipation that must reject for us, a mature group, the concept that the landing of the first slaves at Jamestown automatically placed on all other Americans an obligation to assist those of Negro descent for generations without end.
That is a weakened and self-defeating concept, in whatever language it may be expressed."
Following the address, Dr. Albert W. Dent, president of Dillard, conferred bachelors of arts degrees upon 79 graduates and bachelor of science in nursing degrees upon 10 others. The candidates were presented by Dean Benjamin A. Quarles.