CHAPTER VIII

The Negro and the Municipality

A CAPEICIOUS mood, varying with the
individual, considerate today and offensive
tomorrow, this, as far as our observations
have led us, has been New York's attitude
toward the Negro. Is it possible to find any
principle underlying this shifting position?
The city expresses itself through the indi¬
vidual actions of its changing four millions
of people, but also through its government,
its courts of justice, its manifold public
activities. Out of these various manifesta¬
tions of the community's spirit can we find a
Negro policy? Has New York any principle
of conduct toward these her colored citizens?
This question should be worth our considera¬
tion, for New York's attitude means its
environmental infiuence, and helps determine
for  the  newly  arrived  immigrant  and  the

growing generation whether justice or intol-
195