THE MICHIGAN DAILY FRIDAY, MAYW2, 1941 The City Editor's- X SCRATCH PAD BACK IN MY high school days. a fellow student once got up on a platform and delivered an address entitled. "Are We Afraid of Freedom?" The point of his speech was that the great men of history, beginning with Jesus of Nazareth, have been those who dared to ful- fil a fundamental obligation of the individu- al man-to speak the truth. My fellow student was a brilliant orator, and he had something to say; I remember both. I wonder how many great men there are among us now, how many who are not afraid of freedom. It is especially pertin- ent to wonder these days, when legislators who have all the prerogatives but none of the dignities of statesmen are persecuting a minority group of our fellow citizens in the name of "Americanism." In Washington, in Lansing and in other capitals across the nation the tirade of suppression goes on. And the reason is lamentable and the blame is ours because we have elected little guys to big jobs, and this littleness in bigness has tremendous repercussions for all of us. We should expect this sort of thing to happen now and then, that men of limited background and narrow outlook will some- how sit in the deliberative chambers of our nation and our states. The elective pro- cess is not a simple thing; it is beset with confusion and with indecision; it is too of- ten the victim of chicanery and blind chance. But be that as it may, we should also expect the warm light of knowledge to emanate from our great centers of learn- ing whenever the little guys allow their own limitations to lead them astray. But this is not the case. Freedom is a fearful thing even in the world of learn- ing. We find this fear creeping over the Intellectuals, and they are in retreat, cov- ering themselves with a rear-guard action of academic rationalizations, The day that Michigan Youth for Demo- cratic Action was banned from this campus, President Ruthven told me, "I'm not afraid of Communists." No one would expect the Intellectuals to be afraid of Communists; they aredtoointelligent to be duped by pre- judice and hysteria. But the little guys, despite their littleness, are powerful, and the retreat is on. THE RETREAT isn't difficult to ration- alize. We shall sacrifice 30 or 40 mem- bers of an organization, retire into a kind of Shangri La until the storm blows over. That was what happened to Czechoslavakia in the Thirties. It was easy, so tragically easy, to give the country away to Hiter. Bht then and there the principle was lost, and Munich turned out to be no Shangri La. By betraying Czechoslovakia, Britain and France bought only time, but the time ran out. How long will it be before the little guys demand more sacrifices? And what becomes of the prestige of the In- tellectuals when they judge freedom to be only a relative thing? The late Wendell Willkie once said that "America would not be the land of the free if it were not also the home of the brave." The little guys oon't inderstand freedom. But as for the rest of us-"Are We Afraid of Freedom?" DAILY OFFICIAL BULLETIN .., IF 11 Letters to the Editor... C: (Continued from Page 3) rine architects and accountants. Any juniors in the above fields who are interested in summer work with this company with permanent employment after graduation in mind will also be interviewed. Attention Senior Men: The Con- necticut General Life Insurance Company will have representatives at our office on Wed., May 7, to interview men interested in a sal- aried training program covering all phases of the insurance busi- ness-administrative, technical and sales. For appointments with these companies, call at the Bureau or phone ext. 371. Lectures University Lecture: Mr. John I. H. Baur, Curator of Paintings and Sculpture at the Brook- lyn Museum, Brooklyn. New York, will lecture on the subject, "The Emergence of American Impres- sionism" (illus.), at 4:15 p.m., Fri., May 2, Rackham Amphitheatre; auspices of the Department of Fine Arts. The public is cordially invited. Academic Notices Doctoral Examinations f o r Richard Hyde Manville, Zoology; thesis: "The Vertebrate Fauna of the Huron Mountains," Mar- quette county, Michigan, 1:00 p.m., Fri., May 2, Rm. 3091, Natral Sci- ence. Chairman, W. H. Burt. Doctoral Examination for Ogden Linne Tweto, Geology; thesis: "Pre-Cambrian and Laramide Ge- ology of the Vasquez Mountains, Colorado," Sat., May 3, 9 a.m., Rm. 4065, Natural Science Bldg., Chairman, T. S. Lovering. Algebra Seminar: 4:15 p.m., Fri., May 2, Rm. 3201, Angell Hall. Prof. M. O. Reade will speak on Normed rings. School of Education Testing Program: Students who partici- pated in the School of Education testing program may receive the report of their scores in the School of Education Office, Rm. 1439, University Elementary School. Students are encouraged to dis- cuss their scores with C1 and Al instructors. Please call for your reports Friday, Monday or Tues- day afternoon. Honors in the Liberal Arts: Those intending to take this course next year should sign up now eith- er with Assistant Dean Peake, 1220 A. H., or with Prof. Dodge, 17 A. H. Concentration Advisement Se- ries, Speech: The first in limited series of concentration advisement meetings will be presented by the Department of Speech, Fri., May 2, Rm. 3017 Angell Hall, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be conducted by Professor G. E. Densmore, Pro- fessor Harlan Bloomer, Professor W. P. Halstead, Mr. H. K. Carruth and Mr. L. L. Oakey. The general requirements and all the various phases of work in speech will be discussed. All freshmen or sopho- mores considering speech as a pos- sible field of concentration are urged to attend. Concerts Madrigal Singers under the di- rection of Wayne Dunlap, will be heard in a program at 8:30 p.m., Sun., May 4, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, with ten students par- ticipating. William Stubbins, Rus- sell Howland and Nelson Hauen- stein will act as re orders. The concert will be open to the gen- eral public. Student Recital: Arlene Lucille Sollenberger, Contralto, and pupil of Arthur Hackett will present a recital in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music at 8:30 p.m., Mon., May 5, Rackham Assembly Hall. The public is invited. Student Recital: Barbara Lee Smith. Mezzo-soprano, will pre- sent a recital in partial fulfill- ment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Music at 4:15 p.m., Sun. May 4, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. The gen- eral public is invited. Exhibition The Museum of Art: Drawings, prints and small sculpture by Aris- tide Maillol; drawings by Maurice Sterne; and paintings by Pedro Figari. Alumni Memorial Hall daily, except Mondays, 10-12 and 2-5; Sundays, 2-5; Wednesday evenings 7-9. The public is cordially invited. The Museum of Archaeology: Current Exhibit: "Life in a Roman Town, in Egypt, 30 B.C. - 400 A.D." Tues. through Fri., 9-12, 2-5; Sat., 9-12; Sun., 3-5. Events Today University Radio Program: 2:30 p.m., Station WKAR, 870 Kc. Tales from Poe-"Hop Frog." 2:45 p.m., Station WKAR, 870 Kc. Landscape Design Series- "The Outdoor Living Room," G. G. Ross, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture. 5:45 p.m., Station WPAG, 1050 Kc. Dorothy Ornest, soprano. Regular Army Commissions for '47 Graduates Holding Commis- sions during War: The Army's new program to offer regular com- missions to former officers who will receive degrees by July 15,1 1947, will be explained by a War Department representative at 4:15 p.m., Natural Science Audi- torium. Songs' Chairmen for Lantern Night from all dormitories, sorori- ties and league houses that wish participation in the Lantern Night sing are urged to attend a special meeting at 5:20 p.m.,in the W.A.B. Houses will draw for the order of performance. Contact Patt New- berg, phone 2-4471, if you or a sub- stitute cannot attend meeting. Geology and Mineralogy Journal Club: 12 noon, Rm. 3055, Natural Science Bldg. Mr. Ira Cram of the Pure Oil Company of Chicago will speak on "The Geologist's Oppor- tunities in the Petroleum Indus- try." Student Religious Coffee Hour: 4:30-6 Hall library. Association p.m., Lane 1 MY V I I Y1 pY i111 CURRENT MOVIES German Coffee Hour: 3-5 p.m., League Coke Bar. The Congregational - Disciples Guild: All those planning to at- tend the Oslo party should meet at the Congregational Church. The "Voyage" begins at 8:30 p.m. The Art Cinema League presents THE STONE FLOWER in new color process, English titles, Russianrdialogue. Also short on animal behaviorism, "Life at the Zoo," Fri., Sat., 8:30 p.m. Box office opens 2 pm. daily. Reservations phone 6300, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Coming Events Graduate Outing Club: Hike, 2:30 p.m., Sun., May 4. Meet at Northwest entrance, Rackham Bldg. Supper outdoors if weather permits. Sign up before noon on Saturday at check desk in Rack- ham Bldg. The Annual French Play: Le Cercle Francais will present "Le Malade Imaginaire," a comedy- ballet in three acts by Moliere, at 8:30 p.m., Tues., May 6, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets on sale at the box office after 2 p.m., May 3, 5 and 6, tel. 6300. Free ad- mission to members of the club (except tax) upon presentation of their membership cards. The U. of M. Sailing Club will be hosts to Denison University, Uni- versity of Wisconsin, Youngstown College, and Michigan State Col- lege in the first annual U. of M. Invitational Racing Regatta. Races will be held on Saturday and Sun- day, May 3 and 4, on Whitmore Lake at 1 p.m., Sat., and 9 a.m., Sun., from the club's dock at the roller rink. Transportation to the lake will be provided for members and their guests at cost from the side door of the Union at 9:30 Sat., and 8:30 Sun. Phi Sigma: Business meeting, 7:30 p.m. Open to public, 8 p.m., Mon., May 5, Rackham Amphi- theatre. Mary Jane Williams, of the Michigan Department of Con- servation, Educational Division, will speak on "Fun and Profit in the Out-of-doors"-a color movie- lecture in three parts: "Porcupine Mountains," "Canoe Trails," and "Where to Now?" All interested are cordially invited. Student Religious Association Luncheon Discussion group: 12:15 p.m., Sat., Lane Hall. The Invisible Bridge, a sound film on world- wide rebuilding will be presented. Bill Bergen will lead the discus- sion. Reservations for luncheon should be made at Lane Hall by 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Student League for Indus- trial Democracy presents Aaron Levenstein, n o to d economist, speaking on "Labor Looks to the EDITOR'S NOTE: Because The Daily prints EVEY letter to the editor (which is signed, 300 words or less in length, and in good taste) we re- mind our readers that the views ex- pressed in letters are those of the writers only. Letters o more than 300 words are shortened, printed or omitted at the discretion of the edi- torial direcor. Hollywood 'Pattern' To the Editor: A NUMBER OF STUDENTS are bewildered by the picketing in protest to the film "Song of the South" at the local theatre. They cannot see why anyone would want to picket this harmless, hum- orous picture based on Joel Chandler Harris' charming Uncle Remus stories.- "Song of the South" is picketed because, in spite of Chandler-Dis- ney art, it is just another exam- ple of the Hollywood stereotype of the Negro as a happy-go-lucky cuss bo'n to work for, and to amusebwhite people. If Holly- wood presented other types of Negro characters, Uncle Remus would be less objectionable; but Hollywood has only one pattern for the Negro. This pattern extends far be- yond Ann Arbor and the local theatre. It humiliated Negro sol- diers thousands of miles from America. These men saw foreign peoples laughing at movies which presented the Negro as an am- bitionless, cowardly, brainless member of a sub-race. Some sol- diers in my organization (I am a Negro) would not go to movies in Japan for fear that they would be embarrassed before the late "en- emy" by the Hollywood conception of the Negro. Documentary films showing the bravery and glory of white soldiers were released by the dozens-but in most of them Negroes searched in vain for a brown face. Those persons carrying the signson State Street are looking farther than the local theatre. A more pertinent objection to the film is its glorifying of slav- ery. For Mr. Joel Chandler Har- ris, slavery was a charming source of material for humor sories; for Mr. Walt Disney it is merely a source of income. This light treatment of a serious subject has given Americans a rationalization for their racial policies for a long time. Ex-slaves I have known used to talk quite a bit about slavery. They did not talk of happy, fro- licking field hands on parade; they talked of blood and whips- of hunger and wretchedness-of plans to escape, or revolt. They did not see in slavery any of the amusing qualities that inspired writer Harris. I have been told that this par- ticular protest by picketing is silly and ineffective. Perhaps that is so. It is good that the oppressed peoples of this earth are willing to risk being silly. I agree that the action is ineffective, if ef- fectiveness is measured by the number of dollars the manage- ment of the local theatre will lose. I think, however, that effective- ness in such cases is measured best by the number of hours the pick- eters march for what they think is a cause. -James N. Rhea Distorted Role To the Editor: THE Executive Committee of the Inter-Racial Association pro- tests pictures like "Song of the South" because of their tendency to confuse and distort the role played by Negroes in American history and American life. The film has a fascinating appeal for' younger children whose minds are in the formative stage, and who are extremely susceptible to belief in the myth of Negro inferiority and docility which is extensively portrayed throughout. For example, why was the Negro boy continually presented as be- ing backward, timid and supersti- tious in direct contrast to the white kid? Why were the Negro workers on the plantation always represented as a happy, contented, docile, singing group, with appar- ently no other ambition than to serve the white master? Why, though the setting was pre-Civil War, did the animated characters Future," 3 p.m., Sun., May 4, Mich- igan Union. A Russian film, "Professor Manlock," with English sub-titles, 8 p.m., Sun., May 4, Kellogg Audi- torium. Sponsored by B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation for the benefit of Allied Jewish Appeal. Tickets now on sale at Hillel, and at door be- fore performance. B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation: "Corned Beef Corner," Saturday, 10:45 to 12 midnight. repeatedly use broken English, slang and dialogue commonly thought typical of the 20th cen- tury Negro? Can it be explained why at the end of the picture the colored lad was shown turning cart-wheels and acting in general like something from another world, while the white children were jovially skipping along in an upright position? Please do not misunderstand us. We are not saying these things did not happen. We are the first to admit that Uncle Remus is a legend in American history and existed then as surely as you and we exist today. However, the con- tinual production of films like "Song of the South" serves to feed the already too many pre- judiced and unthinking minds with propaganda which tends only to ingrain these prejudices and preconceived ideas of Negro in- feriority. Not all Negroes use broken language, are unintelli- gent, backward, or superstitious. If this other side of the black man's personality is not portrayed. we are afraid that many of us will never know it exists. If Hollywood producers can lean over backward to keep from pro- ducing movies which show Negroes in more progressive roles to pre- vent offense to southern whites, certainly they can expend one- fourth as much effort towards the non-perpetuation of a myth which is insidious, rotten, unjustified, and false. -Carroll Little For IRA Executive Committee 'Childish Gesturcs' To the Editor: IN FRONT OF the State Theatre Sunday evening, I saw a group of students picketing the movie "Song of the South" because it portrayed inaccurately the life of the slaves before the Civil War. I don't know who these people were or who they represented. Whoever these people were, what- ever so-called "liberal" group they represented, their action was a sacd commentary on the state of lib- eralism on this campus. The picture did not try to por- tray the lives of the slaves as they were. It was released simply for the entertainment value it con- tained. Anyone, with average in- telligence, who saw the picture would realize this. The picketing of the theater ranks in my mind as sheer exhibi- tionism on the part of the pickets. If the people who picketed "Song of the South" actually object to the content of the picture, the place for their protest is the John- son Office in Hollywood, not on the campus of the University of Michigan. Their action disgusts me. They are undoubtedly supposed to be a liberal group, representing the ideals of equality, etc., but when their ideals are expressed in such a ridiculous, meaningless man- ner, they are bringing ridicule not only upon themselves, but upon the very ideals which they are misguidedly trying to defend and expand. I like to think that I am a lib- eral. But if organized liberalism on this campus takes the form of childish, useless, silly gestures, then I prefer to remain indepen- dent. Apparently, nothing can pre- vent these people from making foqls of themselves. I deny to no man his constitutional right to make a fool of himself, but why should he be allowed to drag a worthy ideal down with him? -Al Blumrosen iPat-ft V I A 4 4 I .. I1 -' At The Michigan . . LADIES' MAN (Paramount), Eddie Bracken, Spnke Jones, Cass Daley THISIS ONE of those comedies about a guy who gets rich quick, goes to New York from Oklahoma, and follows the well trodden path of screw-ball comedy. There are parts that are still good for laughs and, of course, spots that are not. If you like the Spike Jones-Cass Daley type of number you'll be well rewarded for attending. If you don't you'll suffer. There's nothing un- usual here, but Eddie Bracken's always good for laughs. At The State . . Holdover of SONG OF THE SOUTH by Dis- ney -Joan Fiske "WANTED: Ambitious young democrat, slightly left of center, resident Eastern U.S., effective social presence, proved political success. Protestant. World War II record highly desirable but not imperative. For pleasant, remunerative ($20,000-a-year) po- sition, easy hours, opportunity for advance- ment, apply Democratic National Commit- tee, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C." -A ficticious classified ad appearing in a commentary on the vice presidency in Time magazine. I i Fifty-Seventh Year Edited end managed by students of the University of Michigan under the authority of the Board in Control of Student Publications. Editoral Staff Paul Harsha ......... Managing Editor Clayton Dickey............City Editor Milton Freudenheim..Editorial Director Mary Brush .......... Associate Editor Ann Kutz........... Associate Editor ClydeRecht..........Associate Editor Jack Martin ............ Sports Editor Archie Parsons.. Associate Sports Editor Joan Wilk.............Women's Editor Lois Kelso .. Associate Women's Editor Joan De Carvajal...Research Assistant Business Staff Robert E. Potter .... General Manager Janet Cork ......... Business Manager TN1inru Hlmickr ...Adetising Man~ager BARNABY I" r I I . I 1 7 T I