The Situation

In order for black men and women to gain respect from whites, they must first hold themselves to a high standard and act in self-respect.

The Situation.
The situation in this country at the present time is highly disappointing to the colored people, who love liberty and appreciate guaranteed privileges. At the first blush, it would seem that we have lost and are losing friends among the white people of the country. This may be true, or it may be that those white persons who were passively opposed to us are now going voice their opinions.
Still, we have many strong, true and tried friends among the white people of this country to-day. It is necessary for the conservative colored men of the face to cultivate this friendship and especially among the liberal white elements of the Southland. We can do this by deserving their friendship, by the expressions of good-will, and by the faithful discharge of the duties of citizenship.
The ignorant, insulting, blatant members of our race, those who violate the laws and respect neither God nor Mammon, should be made to understand that they will receive no support or sympathy at the hands of those self-respecting colored people, who are improving their condition and is adding to the material wealth of the communities in which they live. With this policy, faithfully and steadily carried out, we shall find that we have advocates where we least expect them and that the “Negro-haters” will find themselves attacked from unexpected quarters.
The colored people are better off today than they have ever been since the first “hand-full” of them landed at Jamestown, Va.

“The Situation,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 24, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/279.