Colored Man's Politeness

A black man is “highly complimented” by a “distinguished white lady” for being a gentleman and giving her his seat on a street car, while none of the other men even offered.

On an electric car, bound for Richmond last Thursday morning between 7 and 8 o’clock, Mr. George Robinson of East 20th Street, Manchester, Va. was highly complimented by a distinguished white lady, who carried a basket of flowers, when he vacated his seat for her, while a number of white men held fast to their own. This white lady is well known and highly respected throughout the city and the encomium given Mr. Robinson was well received as he sat with bared head and drank in her every utterance, especially when she said with emphasis, “You acted like a gentleman.”

“Colored Man's Politeness,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/732.