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

ETHIOPIANS NEARLY PERFECT

Among the Colored race, there are many splendid types of athletes. In the old days, the Ethiopian was considered a masterpiece of physical architecture. He entered any list where muscular power was to be exhibited and carried off the victory. In great trials of strength and wrestling he had no superior.

As the Ethiopian was in the past, his descendants in our Colored Americans are today. In football, baseball, rowing and in wrestling, the Colored American has no superior in skill or prowess.

Particularly is this the case in the college-trained athlete. His prowess has brought him fame, his skill and courage have gained for him the respect and admiration of thousands. Not only that, but it is easily established from ocular evidence that nearly every college athlete of prominence has worn his honors with modesty.

There is a native muscular development in the Colored American of healthy and good habits, which, if directed in the right channels of athletic activities would lower many a record.

Physical training including athletics is becoming a well outlined course in every school for colored youth. When in the hands of experienced teachers, and developed under the direction of a department of physical education, it will lift our Colored Americans up a few notches higher in the scale of manhood.

There can be no question about its value as a developer of manhood and a health producer. But never as a prize-fighting school. This of itself is debasing in the extreme. We are growing away from the mercenary brutality of former years, and all classes are vying with one another to engage in a contest of development that will make for manhood.

Our schools and colleges are aware of the difference between athletics for health and manhood and the debasing school of the prizefighter. They are introducing it in many instances, and the course offers an opportunity not to be ignored or lost. Young man, your physical nature is part and parcel of your intellectual condition.

Physical exercise is as essential to the growth of the human body as drink and food is for nourishment.

The human body is developed by muscular exertion, and its good health and perfect growth depend upon the regular practice of some form of motion that will bring into use all the various parts of the system.