Letters to the Editor, 1936

These letters were grouped together and labeled, “Letters to the Editors” by Pauline Young. The letters are arranged chronologically. The majority of the letters are to local and national newspapers, literary and news magazines and library journals. There are letters to publishers - usually related to the exclusion of information about the contributions of Negroes, the derogatory depiction of Negroes, and an effort to get publishers to capitalize the word Negro. There are letters to local and national government officials, organizations, businesses, churches, and the media. A few of the letters are complimentary, acknowledging a well-written article or well-delivered speech. Not all the letters are protesting segregation and discrimination, some letters discuss issues such as taxes and military aggression. A few letters relate to the negative characterizations of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s writings and his use of dialect. Additional letters can be found in Series D, Correspondence, and Series J, Scrapbooks.