CHAPTER III

The Child of the Tenement

Within the last few years white Ameri¬
cans, many of whom were formerly ignorant
of their condition, have been taught that
they are possessed of a racial antipathy for
human beings whose color is not their own.
They have a "natural contrariety," "a dis¬
like that seems constitutional" toward the
dark tint that they see on another's face.
But however well they may have conned
their lesson, it breaks down or is likely to be
forgotten in the presence of a Negro baby;
for a healthy colored baby is a subject, not
for natural contrariety, but for sympathetic
cuddling. They are most engaging new¬
comers, these "delicate bronze statuettes,"'
only warm with life, and smiling good will
upon their world.

Not many colored babies are born in New
York, at least not enough to keep pace with

'Dudley Kidd's, "Savage Childhood," a delightful book.

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