Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

150 THE ATHENAEUM, tion Andrew Taylor, who, as a baritone soloist, needs no introduc tion to the Atlanta public. His rendition of “She Rested by the Brook”—from our own Colericlge-Taylor, and “A Song of the Heart” brought much applause. R. E. Brown promises to be a pianist of note. His interpretation of Schult’s “Etude” was worthy of comment. There were other-excellent numbers which contributed to mak ing the concert the success that it was. The Glee Club and Orchestra is doing a great work in present ing, not only to the Atlanta public, but also to those it touches on its tours, the best of music. What is more, it is revealing tq the public what the capable ties of the Negro in the fine arts are. —E. Allen Jones, ’26. THE ATLANTA FORUM By A. W. DeYampert The Atlanta Forum held its initial session Sunday February 1, at. the Crystal Theatre. The organization grew out of the desire of the teachers in the colleges of Atlanta to unite and discuss problems per-^ taining to Negro life. The main discussion was the Negro in litera ture and Art. Dr. King of Gammon Theological Seminary was the principal speaker. He spoke at length on Negro writers of great caliber like Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Phyllis Wheatley, W- E. B. Dubois, and many others. Dr. King told us very strikingly of our heritage-in literature, , making special reference to African literature and art- The most strik- - ing of his illustrations was a series of African proverbs which show- • ed a high degree of culture and intelligence. The wit and humor contained in the proverbs should make us proud of the keeness of : thought possessed by our African ancestors. One significant Sociolo- - gical fact shown by Dr. King was that African people are not j people lower in the evolution ladder than we are, but are people who ( have come to our same evolution stage through different channels. . Is not that they are our inferiors but their ways of doing things are ] just different. After this inspiring talk by Dr. King the house : was open for questions. The question of the truth of Mr. Cavendish’s article in the Am erican Mercury on Negro folk songs was brought up. Mr- Cavendish asserted that Negro folk songs were not music in any sens. They are J merely tunes and are not the inspiration to higher musical composi- - tion. This was refuted by Prof. Harreld of Morehouse College, and : also by Prof. N. P. Tillman of Morehouse, who showed that the writen was merely a radical without any musical knowledge to back up his j assertion. A very pleasing musical program was rendered by Prof.. Harreld. The Forum was very largely attended, the Crystal I Auditorium being practically packed. This gives a slight idea of i what could be accomplished by Negroes in the study of their own i people, literature, and art. The audience appeared interested. Prof.. E. Franklin Frazier, head of the Atlanta School of Social Work, was i master of ceremonies-