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THE MAROON TIGER Negrito- -By J- Mason Brewer J. Mason Brewer has made a genuine contribution to the folklore of the Southwest in his book Negrito. It is a 100-page hook of Negro dialect poems, just off the the Naylor Press, (San Antonio, Texas). The title Negrito selected for the volume is a term used by Mexicans living in the Southwestern states when speaking of Negroes, “the little black.” The uneducated Negro who has not only furnished the material for a distinct, rich and racial literature, but has also been the silent and unheralded force most responsible for his progress. After you catch the swing of the dialect in Negrito you will be both amused and enlightened. The poems include t)q>ical illustrations of the life of the crude Ne gro of the Southwest, who after all, is the embodiment of the Negro soul. His philosophy is portrayed in his natural response to his environment through his emo tions, aspirations, sentiment and thoughts. The author has captured and impounded this in these simple poems, every one of which is written in the uneducated Ne gro’s own speech. The author is head of the Romance Language De partment in the Samuel Houston College for Negroes at Austin, Texas. Dr. L. W. Payne, Jr., who is professor of English in the University of Texas, author of “History of American Literature,” “Selections from American Liter ature” and “Southern Literature reading,” has written the preface to Negrito and is ample authority for Pro fessor Brewer’s qualifications to depict the Negro.—We quote: “The dialect is accurate, the verse natural, smooth, and rhythmical, and the thought content true to the facts of the life which he attempts to portray. The un derlying humor, good-nature, happiness, and hopeful outlook of the Negro are here clearly and cleverly pre sented. There is little moralizing, no rancour, no im moral suggestiveness, but much truth, patriotism, and good sense in these verses. As Kipling said of the Brit ish “Tommy,” so Brewer might say of the uneducated Negro who is the spokesman in these verses.” An’ it’s Sammy this, an’ Sammy that, an’ anything you please, An’ Sammy ain’t a bloomin’ fool— you bet that Sammy sees.” The book is divided into four (4) parts. The first with thirty-seven epigrams of Negro characters of the Southwest—the “section han’—the vocational pursuits down to the “Grand Master” of the Lodge—each a gem in themselves. Part Two—consists of poems depicting the life of the Negroes in the country—and well does Brewer do this. Among the twenty-one here—“Dat’s un Norther’” “Keep uh Gwine,” “The School Patron,” “The Prodigal,” are probably the outstanding, although each will more than hold your interest. The Town Section (Part 3) carries twenty-two from “Dese Sweepote,” to “Love’s Pledge.” Here’s a typical quotation. “Needen be walkin’ wid yo’ head hung down, Evahbody knows dal you nebber lef town.” The last section is devoted to twenty-four Negro prov erbs in Epigram. To use a slang expression, they are really a ‘scream.’ The book is illustrated by Tom Smith, and he too, has attained that rare ability to characterize his race. From his very first: “HI” (Hello) Ah don’ lak uh lots o’ sham Ah’m jes plain ol’ common Sam. to his “SOLONG” (Goodbye) Hones’ tuh Gawd, ain’t tellin no lie, Gonna live souf, babe, till ah die. Brewer has a volume that will certainly take its place among the literature—depicting the typical Negro of the Southwest. FROM J. MASON BREWER'S “NEGRITO” Football Player In football time he’d alius Be absent rum his class— De reason dat dey flunked ’im He missed uh fo’ward pass. Politician He struts befo’ de brethren, An’ make de sistren think Dat he am one biff race man. Den sells ’em for uh drink. City Preacher He preach de gospel once uh week Put Christuns in de sky— Drives ’is Packard ebry day An’ pass de needy bv. Washer Woman She washes fer uh livin’, Ne neighbuhs calls huh fool, But dat am how huh chillun All finished up in school. Crap Shooter He alius gits out some how An’ manage fer is bail, But ’fo’ long he gits lonesome An’ Ian’s right back in jail.