3022 CITIZENSHIP TRAINING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK as the native-born will be glad to learn how it was done. Americanization is the blending of the best in the old and the new worlds. The lantern can be used in halls and out of them, in winter and summer. Send for outline of subjects of lectures and films. Literature - Libraries The printed word has a message. When good literature on Americanization is put out by federal or state departments, private agencies or local bodies, the "Y" should use it. A list of such publications will be sent on request. Public libraries can serve the foreign-born by securing the right kind of books in their tongues for circulation. See that the library does this. Try to establish traveling libraries in foreign communities far removed from libraries. Life Problem Clubs Many foreign-born men know enough English to read any ordinary book. They need practice in talking. Organize clubs for the discussion of life problems, national issues, and international relations. Leaders among foreign-born groups will take to this. It is a field that needs cultivation. Race Psychology Nations differ. Their background is different. All foremen and superintendents don't think of this. Organize a class in race psychology to deal specially with the background of immigrant peoples, the forces shaping their lives, and how America can use these agencies for the purpose of getting best results from these men in American industries. Outline of discussions will be sent Each nation has its story and its heroes, its music and its poetry, its art and its folk lore. They cannot forget these in an adopted country. Let the "Y" pave an avenue of self-expression for these accomplishments. Success in this depends on organization. The program should be carefully worked out with foreignborn leaders. The best date is a national birthday in their or in our history. America gains by conserving the culture of the fifty varieties of peoples coming to America. Italians and Greeks, Slavs and Chaldeans, were closer to the beginnings of civilization than Teutons and Saxons. They have much that is of interest to us if they are encouraged to exhibit it. Cosmopolitan Meetings More than fifty varieties of peoples have contributed and still contribute to the life blood of America. Those who go into the "melting pot" should become conscious of the Divine plan in the bringing together of the nations of the earth on this continent. The future of humanity is more involved in what is done here than in any other country under the sun. America in the war made the world safe for democracy. All peoples in a community should occasionally be brought together to feel the importance of the welding process, and consciously contribute their part to American democracy. Perfect organizations among every people. This will contribute to the success of the "melting." The purpose of the Y. M. C. A. should be clearly explained. The dominant note should be the "Coming American." Patriotic societies among the native-born gladly participate in a program of this nature. The real American has cosmopolitan sympathies. Entertainment Programs for entertainments should be worked out very carefully. Both native and foreign-born talent should be used. Friendly rivalry between the several national groups should be encouraged. Trophies to the winners can be secured from friends of foreign-born men or from public-spirited citizens. Dinners prepared by the housewives of foreign homes-a la Italiana, or a la Grecia, or a la Hungaria, etc.- are popular and well patronized by Americans. Foreign production can enrich our intellect as well as our appetities. Plant Rallies Whenever a plant rally is arranged, don't overlook the foreignborn. The object of the rally should be fully explained to the leaders of foreigners. They will co-operate fully when they understand, and will contribute much to its success. Consider the types of peoples to be brought together when you prepare for them. Borrow a few pictures of their national heroes, put up their national colors, exhibit their national costumes, etc. Let them feel that an effort is made to appreciate something that is dear to them. Make an effort also to have the native and the foreign-born mingle, emphasizing the family tie and the bond of brother in the Fatherhood of God. Carnival of Nations The great objective of our work is Americanization. should not be lost sight of in planning carnivals. This The story of the American nation is full of episodes which lend themselves to dramatic presentation. The foreign-born will, in classes, lectures, and contact with native-born men, learn much about America. If by carefully planned programs they can be made to live in imagination through some of these scenes, they will absorb much of the spirit and the ambition of the makers of America. Let the foreign-born study the costumes of colonial days, copy them, imitate, no matter how faintly, the deeds of colonial heroes, and clearly enunciate the sentiments they felt. In this way the foreign-born will absorb more of the American spirit that they ever can or will in a classroom. The songs used on such an occasion should be patriotic, and the scenery true to the facts illustrated. Not only will the actors feel the inspiration of immortal epochs in American life, but their friends will also feel them, and all the spectators will catch a vision of what the purposes and ideals of democracy are. INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS 347 Madison Avenue, New York City Committee.-M. Hartley Dodge, Chairman; John Sherman Hoyt, Lucien T. Warner, Cleveland E. Dodge, S. J. Carpenter, George W. Perkins, William H. Wooden, John J. Eagan. Secretaries.- Charles R. Towson, 347 Madison avenue, New York; Peter Roberts, Ph.D., 347 Madison avenue, New York; Norman C. Schlichter, Chicago, Ill.; John Sumner, Toronto, Ont.; John A. Goodell, Portland, Ore.; Fred. H. Rindge, Jr., 347 Madison avenue, New York; Dr. E. H. T. Foster, 347 Madison avenue, New York; A. Bruce Minear, Denver, Colo.; Arthur M. East, 347 Madison avenue, New York; George J. Zehrung, 71 West 23d street, New York; A. J. Speer, 1610 Candler Building, Atlanta, Ga.; S. A. Parker, Denver, Colo. We place a knowledge of the English language first in importance believing it to be fundamental to Americanization. Second, we consider naturalization. We find many unnaturalized because they do not know how to go about it, because "nobody asked me," because they are afraid to go into a court house, because they haven't time, and for other similar reasons. The third item in our program is lectures, through which rgency we discuss such questions as: What is America? What is the aim of our democracy? What are the hilltops of American history? What can America give to the immigrant and what can he give to America? The fourth item is entertainment. The purpose of these entertainments is to provide a platform where the foreign-born can show us what they have-their songs, their history, their folk dances and their folk lore. The next item, recreation, takes in the boy of the foreigner that son who stands between two civilizations. We try to train him so that he may choose his life and adjust himself to America. The last item is the advisory council organized from the public spirited and sympathetic men of the community with a view to giving advice kindly and gratuitously to the foreign-born. Another purpose of our work is to train teachers for Americanization work. All over the country we have teachers' groups organized by our Americanization secretaries. We have also a movement in the colleges to encourage students to work among the foreign-born with the result that possibly 3,000 students are at present thus engaged. The following text of one of our pamphlets is pertinent at this point: THREE STEPS IN AMERICANIZATION 1. Program.-Americanization means a definite program define yours. The master craftsman commands attention, so will you, if you know your job. Be a teacher, then you can teach others. Naturalization is a complicated process, be versed in it, that means leadership. Lectures should cover a multiplicity of subjects-know where you can get the necessary material. Attend the foreign-born's entertainments you'll enjoy their talent. Foreigners are exploited-wear the breastplate of righteousness. The Master said "they are as sheep without a shepherd"; that's the foreigner today - be a shepherd. 2. Knowledge.-America has fifty varieties of foreignersfind out the kinds in your town. They segregate-know the segregations and their racial complexion. Each group has its leaders dig them out. They have clubs and societies-make a list of these, with the presidents and secretaries. See these leaders; put your program before them; ask for a hearing before the club or society; take your lantern and slides with you; tell them how you serve-they'll listen. 3. Place and equipment.— Rooms for classes—in industries, clubrooms, halls, boarding-houses, etc.— any place where men will come together. Foreigners will not go "uptown," you go downtown to them. They need convenience and not conveyance. Keep on hand adequate supplies, the men must see and handle things. Illustrate every lesson with the necessary articles-keep these on hand. A good blackboard is essential. Good equipment is like oil on the bearings- things go smoother and better. 4. Advertising.- Cultivate editors of foreign newspapersthey'll print your notices. Take them to see your classes. Invite them to your lectures. The pen is mightier than the sworduse the pen and keep the Sword of the Spirit shining. Put your cards, posters, etc., in barber shops, foreign banks, boardinghouses, pool rooms, drinking stations and restaurants. Foreigners frequent these places. Use the foreign tongue in advertising. The stamp that sticks makes the letter go-the advertisement that hits makes the class go. 5. Leadership.-A leader is known by the quality of his followers. His capacity is shown by the men he enlists in service. Classes installed and supervised display his organizing power. Leadership is of the heart and head-fifty-fifty. It is definite. The true leader will not beat the air, he knows the value of days and seasons, of ladders and ballast, and uses all to best advantage. 6. Broadness.- Don't neglect the other fellow interested in Americanization-he may be the star performer-tie your kite to the star. Hearts are bigger than creeds, practice has fewer thorns than theory. Play the game with others-it is the juncture of forces that makes the world spin. Politicians know the foreigner-draw upon their knowledge. The postmaster, the mail-carrier, the ticket agent, the boss of the pool room, the proprietor of the hang-out shop-all know the foreigner - don't think any of them Samaritans with whom you have no dealings. Serve all men of foreign birth and not a chosen few. 7. Responsibility.-Remember God's command to Ezekiel, "his blood will I require at thine hand." All will not respond, all should hear the message. Those who come, see that they know |