NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
70 Fifth Avenue, New York
Telephone Chelsea 7481

October 10, 1918.

Hon. Thomas W. Bickett, Governor,
Raleigh, N. C.

Dear Sir:

At the request of Governor Cox of Ohio the producers of "The Birth of a Nation" voluntarily withdrew this film (October 1) from the moving picture theatres of that state. In West Virginia, the Council of Defense has recently prohibited its production. In both cases, the reason for the action taken was patriotic: the showing of the picture during war time was regarded as against the public interest.

This picture, as you are perhaps aware, is emphatically objected to by the colored people of the country, who regard it as inimical to them and as tending to accenuate and engender race prejudice and race hatred. At the present time when colored people are performing their full share of patriotic service both in the fighting forces of the nation on the battle fronts of Europe and at home, and when national unity and not race differences and antagonisms should be accenuated, it is important to the national morale that all divisive influences be subordinated to the common good.

On behalf of the colored people of the state, and no less than those of the whole country—for we are as never before Americans rather than citizens of any state—the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People requests you to use your best endeavors to secure similar action as regards "The Birth of a Nation" to that secured by Governor Cox of Ohio.

The producers of this film are The David W. Griffith Corporation, 1476 Broadway, New York City. Will you be good enough to advise us of any action which you deem fitting in the circumstances.

Sincerely yours,

John R. Shillady
Secretary

JRS/RR