Negroes v. "Negress"

When Negroes are mentioned in the "white" Press, they would be most pleased if no point were made of their color. White newspapers, they argue, do not specify the color of white-skins. If color must be designated, they can bear to see "John Doe, Negro," "Jane Doe, colored woman," but never "Jane Doe, Negress." Last week the Pittsburgh Courier (Negro weekly) proudly told as important news how the great New York Herald Tribune had apologized for using the word "Negress" in an obscure news item concerning one Susie Lynch. Texas-born City Editor Stanley Walker of the Herald Tribune was quoted by the Courier's Floyd J. Calvin: "We did not mean to use the word and of course apologize for it. There is a positive 'don't' against the use of the word here in the office. I don't know how it happened to slip by me."

Some Negro newspapers use this form: "John Doe, white. . . ." The Chicago Defender (Negro weekly) refers to its public as "race" persons. The Amsterdam News, leading Negro weekly of Harlem, makes this distinction in its editorial style book: "When it is necessary, or when use makes for clearness, use the word 'Negro' in referring to the achievements of the race and capitalize it at all times. In reports . . . dealing with crime or anything calculated to bring discredit upon the race, use the word 'colored.' ..."

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