Radio Address - c. 1943

Radio Address by NHB

Americans in arms----on land, on sea and in air, we salute you. In this hour of world destiny,

“Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,

Our faith triumphant o’er our fears,

Are all with thee.”

We salute you ALL - black and white - Jews and Gentiles - who are fighting under Old Glory, the undefeated banner of a free nation, to make the world large enough for Democracy and too small for race prejudice, discrimination, injustice and hate.

We pledge you that we shall give our last ounce of devotion, toil, sweat and sacrifice to the cause of world freedom, justice and equality, for all men, everywhere.

We are highly resolved to make the victory line strong and firm right HERE IN AMERICA, so that it can be firm in YOUR STRONG HANDS, on every battle front in the world.

We are keenly mindful of the fact that this war gives to America her first supreme opportunity to prove to the world that Democratic ideals and principles cannot be defeated. This, under God, she proposes to do. It also gives to the American Negro, his FIRST opportunity to let the world know the type and quality of men and women a democracy can produce in seventy-five short years.

It is a fact, that this nation and the Negro race are face to face with the greatest opportunity and challenge that have ever come to either. Neither must be weak ANYWHERE.

Both are fighting for the complete triumph of unadulterated Democratic principles, because we believe that these principles, shot through with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, are the only cure for what hurts the world.

For that reason, we shall pour out our treasuries, we shall lay down our lives. We have just begun to fight!

“Humanity, with all its fears,

With all the hopes of future years,

Is hanging breathless “on” the outcome of this titanic struggle.”

Through blood and sacrifice we shall win this war. You shall march home amid the cheers of a grateful nation. We shall be done with injustice and hate.

Your America will join heart and hand with men and women of goodwill, of all races - throughout the world -, to work for PEACE - built NOT ON RACE - but on the GRACE of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In that day----

“New arts shall bloom with mightier mold,

And loftier music fills the air,

In every heart and brain shall throb,

The pulse of ONE FRATERNITY”

The fraternity of WORLD BROTHERHOOD.

Fellow countrymen, that is the Victory to which we dedicate all that we have and all that we hope to be.

--- (Miss) NANNIE H. BURROUGHS