Would Be Useful Citizens Then
June 17, 1905
Summary
A reader of the Planet criticizes “dog-in-the-manger Negroes” who “never let an opportunity pass to get in a word against any enterprise that a colored man starts.”
Transcription
The Richmond Planet says: “Yes, there are some people who discourage all racial enterprises, and dishearten the weak-kneed elements among us, but we should not stop to argue the question with them. Let us press forward.”
Truth. There are dog-in-the-manger Negroes in every community, and they never let an opportunity pass to get in a word against any enterprise that a colored man starts. They are always known by the excuses they make. If they would spend one-third of the time in building up themselves, that they throw away in trying to discourage others, they would be very useful citizens.
Truth. There are dog-in-the-manger Negroes in every community, and they never let an opportunity pass to get in a word against any enterprise that a colored man starts. They are always known by the excuses they make. If they would spend one-third of the time in building up themselves, that they throw away in trying to discourage others, they would be very useful citizens.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Ryan Shah
Citation
“Would Be Useful Citizens Then,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 17, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1106.