The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1930, Page 184

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184 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

because we have to live in districts where property
is cheaper and for other economic reasons.

“Another great obstacle which we have to over-
come, especially in high school, is the prejudice
against our race. This is illustrated by the expe-
rience I had in the ‘gym’ class. There were only
two of us Mexican girls in the class, and when one
was absent, the other had to miss the class because
none of the American girls wanted to be her partner.
In this respect the Mexican is proud and feels like
the famous Prince of Morocco, ‘Mislike me not for
my complexion, the shadowed livery of the bur-
nished sun. Bring me the fairest creature north-
ward-born and see whose blood is reddest, his or
mine.’

“By far the greatest difficulty that most Mex-
icans suffer is the lack of money to keep up their
studies. Many of us have had to go to school and
work at the same time, and the hours that ought to
be spent in studying are taken up with work. This
is especially felt in high school, because in the grades
the teachers are very tender and considerate in every
way of their Mexican pupils. Then, too, as little
children we are not old enough to understand about
our dress, and in the early grades the books and
other school necessities are not expensive. When
we reach high school, however, we have to miss
much of the cultural phase of the training by in-
ability to attend the lectures, demonstrations, shows,
and even games and parties because of our lack of
money. Again, the food that the Mexican high-
school student can obtain for the few cents allowed
him is often insufficient to keep him mentally alert.

“Home surroundings are not always favorable to
inspire the Mexican student in his studies. Few
houses have modern conveniences, and it is hard for
the young people to be clean and neat. Morally,
too, the student does not have support; the parents
In some cases are ignorant and with little or no
ambition and only want -their children to learn
enough to support themselves. Sometimes the chil-
dren go to school without the consent of their
parents. So the student who is constantly battling
against so many difficulties often has to descend to
the atmosphere of his surroundings.

“Yet, in spite of all these handicaps, many Mex-
ican students are intelligent and ambitious. Some
‘not only conquer all difficulties, but even inspire

| others to strive for more education. After the am-

_ bitious student finishes high school, he starts to
look for a job where he can earn money to put
himself through college. Naturally and reasonably

the American employee is preferred in most offices
and department stores; thus the Mexican has to
turn to jobs where the salaries are so small that he
cannot save enough to continue his education.

“Nevertheless the Mexican student will rise
above all if he has Christian principles. The influ-
ence of the Christian home has been manifested
countless times in young people of character, who
have stood all hardships and privations to obtain
the culture that so many others waste. They have
to go without amusements, luxuries, and even neces-
sities in order to learn something. They have to
fight against their home atmosphere, their surround-
ings and prejudices, and endure prejudices and
much humiliation for their education. But they
keep on.

“To all Christian people, and especially to the
intelligent, philanthropic Christian, the Mexican
boy and girl here in the United States appeal. They
want .your moral support. Without it they must
bury their hopes and ideals. Will you leave them
in the darkness with outstretched hands?”

Items of Missionary Interest.
(By the Eprror.)

Our Colored Missions. — No one has yet been
found to take the position on the Board for Col-
ored Missions vacated by Mr. Theodore Eckhart. —
We are pleased to note that at its plenary meeting
Mr. Eckhart was made an advisory and honorary
member of the board. — Luther Preparatory School
has been renovated and painted, and a new roof
has been put on the portable school-building at
St. Paul’s, New Orleans. — The Toledo Mission
Society is earnestly considering the feasibility of
opening a colored mission in Toledo. The colored
population of Toledo is increasing at a rapid rate,
and we understand that Trinity Congregation’s
school hall, which is on the very edge of the colored
district, could be used for services and other mission-
purposes. — Rev. 2. A. Westcott has been chosen to
succeed Pastor George A. Schmidt as superinten-
dent of the Alabama Field. Pastor Westcott will
be relieved of all other work, so that he may devote
his whole attention to the supervision of the prom-
ising work in Alabama.—A chapel-school and
teacherage is to be erected at Vredenburgh with
the sum made available by the Mrs. Zapf Bequest,
amounting to $1,537.— The possibilities of open-
ing another mission near Buena Vista are bright.—
The request of Pastor Paul Lehman of Greensboro

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