RACIAL PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1921, Page 1

RACIAL PROBLEM.

When the racial problem which troubles the United States of America is discussed the extent to which tho black community is infiltrated with white blood is sometimes overlooked. The slaves were freed nearly sixty years ago; and then there was estimated to be a coloured population, bond and free, of three and a half millions, of which “mulattos”—-using the term to indicate race mixture of any noticeable degree-formed thirteen per cent. Now there arc in round numbers over twelve millions, of whom one-fourth are of mixed breed. There ore now nearly as many mulattos as there were persons of every shade of colour sixty years ago. 'l’his mulatto population is growing considerably faster than the fullblooded population. It possesses in varying ratio characteristics of both the races from which it sprang, and it is worthy of special study in determining whether the mental power of the white is greater than that <:t the negro. Hie whites naturally assert that the man of colour is mentally inferior; the blacks, chiefly ns represented by mulatto spokesmen, deny this. Dr Bu Hois, a prolific and scholarly writer on racial sociology maintains that man for man the African i s the equal of the Caucasian. The late Hooker V osiiington was of the same opinion. If this were really so we would expect the Afro-American of pure African lineage to produce the greater number of the men of note ami leading among tho coloured people. Yet, although the full-bloods are three times more numerous than those whose stock is diluted with a white strain, they produce loss than one-fourth of their leaders, representatives, and teachers. The great majority are mulattos. It is not that the opportunities of the mulatto are greater. The social ostracism of the white tars all with the same brush; Hie mulatto, even the “ near-white,” is a “ nigger,” and must with the “ niggers ” dwell. Edward Byron Renter recently published an elaborate study of 11 The Mulatto in the United States.” He took the official negro publications and li-ts made by coloured writers which enumerated their people. He shows that few full-blooded negroes have achieved distinction, even among their own race. Of twenty citizens of colour who have been elected to tho Federal House of Representatives seventeen wore of mixed blood, as were also the only two who ever reached the Senate. “Of flftysevon educational establishments listed in the Negro Year Boole ns universitfies and colleges twenty-six have white presidents; of the remaining thirty-one the presidents of twenty-six are mulattos: the presidents of three are black imm. Whether the two remaining presidents are white, mixed, or coloured was not discovered.” Of the coloured his!iop s and others of authority in the Churches, the mulattos outnumber the

blacks by about six to one. A somewhat similar proportion distinguishes the editors of the chief negro journals, while in law. literature, medicine, dentistry. science, art. or. indeed, any department whatsoever which necessitates more than an average intellectuality and application for success, the proper tion of mulct foes to blacks ranges between six and twelve to one. Tn tlie army till' foil-blooded officer is almost non-existent, while those in high places are quadroons and octoroons. Of men whose reputations have been world-wide hardly one was of pure breed. Fredorisk Douglass, (lie renowned orator and politician, was luilf-easte; so was Booker Washington, so is Dr. Du Hois. Tra Aldridge, who made a reputation as a legitimate actor and even played “Othello,” was of mixed parentage. Booker Washington, Dr l)u Hois, the negro religious Press, and many mulatto politicians, however, deny that the negro is at all inferior.

It is to he remembered that these witnesses have their largest, following among the full-bloods. Is it not probable that natural tenderness for the feelings of their darker brethren unconsciously iiilluenecs their expressions of opinion on a subject on which the negro is naturally sensitive 'i There is, on the other hand, evidence that as education becomes more diffused a feeling of jealously with regard to llie *scemlaiioy of the mulattos is developing among the negroes. Unwilling to admrit even to themselves that it is superior intelligence which enables their lighter-tinted relatives to pass them in the race, yet uncomfortably aware that their leadership i s indispensable, they nourish the vague resentment and envy. The mulattos moreover have a secret pride in their white strain, and are prone to look down patronising),)' on the darker element . Unable to mix on terms of social equality with the whites, and feeling superior to the blacks, they tend to form a. class apart. The governing ambition of the more aspiring i s to marry a woman of lighter complexion than themselves, a white if possible. They form the intelligentsia of the coloured people. Tt is largely due to their restless propaganda, that the discontent with existing relationships between the races has become more articulate and hitter. Tint when the mulatto question is considered from the standpoint of the relative achievements of the races in all departments of life which call for the exercise of initiative and intelligence it is clear that the mixed blood is superior to the black. Ts it not the inheritance of stronger intellect from the whites which is the reason?