Series Eleven - Ethical Addresses

 

Series 11 - Contents

Series 11 of Ethical Addresses has fewer entries than some volumes, gives half of the titles to Felix Adler, adds a new voice (Martin G. Brumbaugh), but features a lengthy section on "wisdom gems" for meditation and inspiration (to be considered in a separate post).  Yet again we see attention to the nature of religion (and Ethical Culture), marriage, youth education, the inspiration and influence to be drawn from literature, and "the Negro Problem."

In this issue, Adler takes up the social issues of race and community.  His inspiration for addressing "the Negro Problem" comes from W. E. B. Du Bois' recently published book:  The Souls of Black Folk.  The address points to Du Bois' repeated assertion that "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line. . . ."  Adler breaks down this problem of the color-line into three areas

• It is a national problem.  
• It is a problem for democracy.  
• It is a spiritual problem.  

In looking for solutions, Adler is nonetheless quick to share the blame for failures and problems, saying that we all (North and South) are responsible for both the causes and the remedies for the challenges of these issues.  His ultimate call is for patience "until the time will come at last, slowly and gradually, but surely, when man in truth will call his fellow 'brother ;' . . ." (p. 143).

As a point of interest, Adler's lecture on "the Negro Problem" seems not to be a response to Salter's lecture as published in Series Ten.  Salter's lecture preceded the publication of Du Bois' book by about three weeks.  Salter seems to have been moved to speak on the issue of racism by the expansion of Jim Crow laws in the South and the actions of labor unions in the North to exclude Black men from their ranks (and benefits).  Adler also asserted that the New South and the rising middle class in that region was increasing economic competition with the Black people who remained in that area, resulting in further oppression and exclusion.  Without specifying the role of labor unions in exacerbating social divisions, he still hinted at economic motivations for neglecting attention to social justice.  

As a point of bibliographic concern, the first page of Adler's address on race is duplicated in this printing, giving the volume two copies of pp. 122 and 125.  Pages 123 and 124 are missing.  Whether there is text from the preceding essay--"The Need and Scope of  Moral Training in the Young" (pp. 110-122)--cannot here (or yet) be determined.

Now that I've learned to copy and post the table of contents for these issues of Ethical Addresses, I should try to go back to previous posts and the information for each volume.  I should, but it is tedious keyboard work, so it might take a while for me to work up enough enthusiasm to do so.  I shall, eventually.