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1396 An American Dilemma
colored speakers for dissolving the antagonism of a lower-class audience was to emphasize
the solidarity of the caste, to invoke the ideals, that is, of ‘race pride’ and ‘race loyalty.’
”
(Allison Davis, Burleigh B. Gardner, and Mary R. Gardner, Deef South [1941],
p. 236.)
Chapter 37. Compromise Leadership
^
“In many respects the Negro is a model prisoner—the best in this country. He
accepts the situation—^generally speaking—^bears no malice, cherishes no ill will or
resentment, and is cheerful under conditions to which the white man refuses to
reconcile himself.
“This adaptability of the Negro has an immediate bearing on the question before
us. It explains why the Negro masses in the Southern states are content with their
situation, or at least not disturbing themselves sufficiently over it to attempt to upset the
existing order. In the main, the millions in the South live at peace with their white
neighbours.” (Alfred Holt Stone, Studies in the American Race Problem [1908],
P- 235 -)
^ For another statement in the same direction, see Booker T. Washington, The
Story of the Negro (1909), Vol. i, pp. 1 90-1 91.
® Thus Joe Louis enables many lower class youths (in fact, many Negro youths and
adults in all classes) to inflict vicariously the aggressions which they would like to carry
out against whites for the discriminations and insults which they have suffered. A 19-
year-old Washington youth, a high school graduate, said:
“ ‘I’ve tried to follow in Louis’ footsteps, but I’m not big enough. I’ve heard all of
his fights and seen him several times here in Washington. I’ve thrilled at every damned
“peck” he knocked over and helped raise hell in the U street celebrations after each
one. When he lost, I felt pretty bad, though I’ll ever feel something was wrong
—
crooked. He sure proved something was wrong the way he beat up Schmeling the
second time!”’ (E. Franklin Frazier, Negro Youth at the Crossways [1940J, p. 179.)
“Likewise, a ten year old son of a laborer would rather be Joe Louis than any other
Negro in the country because he ‘would get a lot of fun going in the ring and beating
up somebody.’ He added, ‘Joe Louis has done a lot to make the colored race recog-
nized.’ ” {Ibid,, p. 180.)
An upper class lad—a 17-year-old and college freshman—spoke of Joe Louis’ fight
with Schmeling as follows:
“
‘I was hitting every blow with him and taking with him those he got. And when
he lost, I really felt sick. Somehow 1 didn’t even want to go on the street the next day.
One thing he’s done, he’s certainly made the so-called white fighters have a wholesome
respect for his fists. I suppose symbolically that’s the only way white people can be
made to respect Negroes in other walks of. life.’” {Ibid,, p. 190.)
Charles S. Johnson observes:
“In a few areas of the South, the disposition of Negro youth to celebrate too jubi-
lantly the fistic triumphs of Joe Louis has been brusquely and sometimes violently
discouraged, indicating that the symbolism was as significant for the white as for Negro
youth.” {Growing Up in the Black Belt [1941], p, 246.)
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