Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

by Kelly Miller; Joseph R. Gay

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES

It is evident from the signs of the times, the business situation, our interstate commerce laws, and the domination of the trusts and combines by the Federal government, that there will soon come a great change in our business methods, and practices.

We are expecting that competition will be restored to the place it occupied before men were forced out of business by overpowering interests and vast aggregations of capital. It will certainly happen in the near future that any man will be able to open a modest store, or engage in a quiet and reasonable business without being driven into bankruptcy and poverty.

Our Colored Americans are not men of large capital, nor can they control large amounts of capital, consequently they have been unable to make any headway against great combinations, but here is an opportunity and if you wish to grasp it make ready. Prepare for this turning point, for it will be the turning point in the fortunes of many of our people who never had such a chance before, and will not again if they permit others with more sand and hustle to jump in and take up every valuable claim and chance.

THE PROGRESSIVE COLORED AMERICAN EARNS RESPECT FOR HIS RACE
What Other Races are Doing to Rise—Persistence and Determination Will Win

In a country like the United States where there are so many different peoples gathered together, it is difficult for all of them to live in perfect harmony.

In view of what is said in other parts of this book, it must come that all men will be united as one nation, with one set of rules and laws applicable to all alike and without discrimination against any branch of the human family, and without regard to his color.

There are not so many prejudices against races as was formerly the custom, or rather habit, and the signs of the times are that prejudice and opposition are diminishing every day.

Colored citizens have had to fight against all kinds of prejudice and even submit to humiliations that ought to rouse their manhood and compel them to inquire when or whether it will ever end. Every Colored American who reads this book may feel assured that the end is in sight, and that his children will witness a great diminution in the slights put upon his race and color. It will be effected by personal influence based upon education and high standards of living.

Not so very long ago, the Jew was about as humiliated a race of men as exist in the world. Driven out of public places because they were Jews; unable to do business with others on account of their race, they were made a byword and a laughing stock in every occupation of life, and held up to the world on the theater stage as objects of derision and caricature.

The Jew was a “Sheeney,” a “Shylock,” an “Ol’ clo’ man,” a “Christ killer,” and given other choice epithets to bring him into disrespect and excite prejudice, even abhorrence.

All these epithets and others equally as cruel and vulgar, were applied to the whole race of Jews, and it did not make any difference whether he was an honest Jew, or one of education, and of high repute, he was still a “sheeney.”

But a change has taken place and the Jew is no longer a “Sheeney,” unless he merits the epithet, but stands as a man among the other men and is entitled to and gains their respect. Jews, as a race, are no longer “Sheeneys,” or “Shylocks,” only those individuals of the race that are in bad repute among their own people are such. Hence we perceive that prejudice against the Jew as a race is diminishing.