Race

At its 1902 annual convention, held in St. Paul, Minnesota, the National Afro-American Council devoted special attention to the issue of African-American suffrage, including a challenge to the property qualification to vote in Louisiana. This excerpt from the Council's report outlines discussion topics for local councils on topics of current concern to African-Americans.

TOPICS FOR LOCAL COUNCILS. FIRST QUARTER--ORGANIZATION. The Afro-American Council--Its Aims and Needs. Local Organizations, and how they shall be effected. How shall the National and Local Councils be sustained? SECOND QUARTER--MORALS. Race conduct in public places: (a) On the street. (b) Public conveyances. (c) Churches. (d) Parks and panic grounds, etc. CRIMINAL STATISTICS OF THE RACE. (a) Police courts. (b) Reform schools. (c) Jails. (d) Penitentiaries. RACE MORALITY AND HOW TO STRENGTHEN IT. (a) In the home. (b) Social circle. (c) Church. THIRD QUARTER--BUSINESS. How can we foster business enterprises among us? (a) Agriculture. (b) Merchantile pursuits. (c) Manufactures. (d) Horticulture, etc., (e) Shall we trade with our own business and professional men? If not, why not? (f) Business reciprocity with those who employ Afro-Americans. FOURTH QUARTER--LYNCHING. Lynching: Its cause and cure. The effect of public sentiment on the lynching evil, and how to create it. What is the best method to collect funds for the Anti-Lynching and Legislative Bureaus? Full text (Library of Congress/Daniel A. P. Murray Pamphlet Collection)