The ASCU was established by the Communist Party in 1931, and most of its members were African Americans. The letters are from L. N. Duncan, director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, and Bradford Knapp, president of Auburn University....
Leaflet from the Alabama Equal Suffrage Association refuting claims made in a protest against the proposed "Woman Suffrage Bill," which would have allowed the voters to decide whether or not to enfranchise women in the state. The association argues...
In the letter the women speak against the proposed suffrage amendment to the United States Constitution. They express their desire to stay out of politics; maintain a safe, patriotic domestic sphere; and respect Southern traditions and...
In the letter Rameau discusses his work to strengthen the African American war effort in his area: "I have been organizing local War Councils among the members of my race throughout the district for the conserving man-power in the mines for quite a...
Included here is Chapter 20, "The Negro and the World War." The chapter begins by describing African American support for the war effort, but then turns to a discussion of democracy, equality, and civil rights: "Before the war, two expressions were...
In the letter Inzer discusses the integrated military training camps proposed by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker. Inzer first declares himself to be "a friend to the negro" ("stood for his rights and represented him when it was really perilous to...
In the passage Du Bois critiques Booker T. Washington's methods for the education and assimilation of African Americans in society: "...it has been claimed that the Negro can survive only through submission. Mr. Washington distinctly asks that...
"White Men Thrown Into Jail With Negro Criminals, Their Baggage Seized and Searched. For What?" Broadside opposing the proposed prohibition amendment to the Alabama constitution; it includes statements from several Alabama citizens whose property...
In the letter Somerville discusses a rumor that he will be dismissed from his position on the appraisal board. While his alleged offense involves a dispute with Secretary Shaw of the U.S. Treasury, he believes that "The real pretext for such...
This article criticizes an "immigration scheme" designed to attract African American citizens to a city in the midwestern United States, where "everything will be in the hands of the negro" (including city management, industry, and education). The...
In the letter Murphy argues against the platform recently developed by the Alabama Democratic State Convention. The meeting was held only to choose delegates for the proposed constitutional convention; by adopting this platform and insisting that...
This article describes the response of African American citizens to the ordinance recently passed by the Montgomery city council, which requires segregation on street cars. Although there is "no organized boycott," most African American preachers...
This article cites a newspaper from Washington, D.C., which predicts that segregationist sentiment in the nation's capital will lead to "Jim Crow" street cars there: "What is true in Washington is true elsewhere, and especially in the South. The...
This article comments on the Democratic victories in the recent election: "In our judgment, the result means a new Constitution for Alabama...The present one is out of date, imperfect and unfitted to present conditions...The perplexing, menacing...
Flyer for a prohibition meeting organized by African American ministers in Birmingham, Alabama. The meeting was held "to protest against colored women visiting barrooms and barroom premises. Also against children visiting such places, for whisky...
In the pamphlet Milner gives a "testimony" to argue against giving African American political power, and he blames the Republican Party for discord in the state: "There has not been a moment of peace in Alabama, since the black Republican party was...
Leaflet addressed to Democrats in Dallas County, Alabama, urging them to vote for the "good and true men" of the party, who will not resort to illegal methods to gain political power: "They will tell you, that when bad men are elected to office,...
In the letter Greeley critiques the political situation in the South, arguing that African Americans "are a unit so long as they are led to fear disfranchisement. This fear banished they will vote their individual preferences as Whites do. Your...
All the freedman are listed, with the amount of the wages due them. In the original contract Smith agreed to provide the laborers $60 ("for Negro men of first class"), two suits of clothes, and one acre planted in cotton; the freedmen agreed to pay...
In the letter he discusses mutual acquaintances and relatives; some dental work he had recently; his plans for business and study; and social activities (including an unsuccessful taffy pull). He specifically mentions attending a show by "Negro...