Credo

I believe in God, who made of one blood all nations that on earth do dwell. I believe that all men, black and brown and white, are brothers, varying through time and opportunity, in form and gift and feature, but differing in no essential particular, and alike in soul and the possibility of infinite development.

I believe in God, who made all nations on earth of one blood. I believe that all men, black and brown and white, are brothers. They vary in form, gifts, and features because of time and opportunity. But they do not differ in any essential way. They are alike in soul and in their capacity for infinite development.

Especially do I believe in the Negro Race: in the beauty of its genius, the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness which shall yet inherit this turbulent earth.

Above all, I believe in the Negro Race. I believe in the beauty of its genius and the sweetness of its soul. I believe in the strength of its humility, which will one day inherit this turbulent earth.

I believe in Pride of race and lineage and self: in pride of self so deep as to scorn injustice to other selves; in pride of lineage so great as to despise no man's father; in pride of race so chivalrous as neither to offer bastardy to the weak nor beg wedlock of the strong, knowing that men may be brothers in Christ, even though they be not brothers-in-law.

I believe in pride in race, ancestry, and self. Pride in oneself should be so deep that it rejects injustice against others. Pride in one’s ancestry should be so great that it despises no one’s father. Pride in one’s race should be so honorable that it neither offers the weak children born outside marriage nor begs the strong for marriage. It should recognize that men may be brothers in Christ, even if they are not brothers-in-law.

I believe in Service—humble, reverent service, from the blackening of boots to the whitening of souls; for Work is Heaven, Idleness Hell, and Wage is the "Well done!" of the Master, who summoned all them that labor and are heavy laden, making no distinction between the black, sweating cotton hands of Georgia and the first families of Virginia, since all distinction not based on deed is devilish and not divine.

I believe in service, humble and reverent service, from blackening boots to whitening souls. For work is Heaven, idleness is Hell, and the wage is the Master's "Well done!" He called all who labor and are burdened. He made no distinction between the black, sweating cotton workers of Georgia and the first families of Virginia. For every distinction not based on deeds is devilish, not divine.

I believe in the Devil and his angels, who wantonly work to narrow the opportunity of struggling human beings, especially if they be black; who spit in the faces of the fallen, strike them that cannot strike again, believe the worst and work to prove it, hating the image which their Maker stamped on a brother's soul.

I believe in the Devil and his angels. They deliberately work to limit opportunities for struggling people, especially if they are black. They spit in the faces of the fallen and strike those who cannot strike back. They believe the worst and work to prove it. They hate the image their Maker stamped on a brother’s soul.

I believe in the Prince of Peace. I believe that War is Murder. I believe that armies and navies are at bottom the tinsel and braggadocio of oppression and wrong, and I believe that the wicked conquest of weaker and darker nations by nations whiter and stronger but foreshadows the death of that strength.

I believe in the Prince of Peace. I believe that war is murder. I believe that armies and navies are, at their core, the glitter and empty boasting of oppression and injustice. And I believe that the wicked conquest of weaker and darker nations by whiter and stronger nations foretells the death of that strength.

I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls, the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love.

I believe in freedom for all men. They should have room to stretch their arms and their souls. They should have the right to breathe and to vote. They should be free to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on trains without being cursed for their color. They should be free to think, dream, and work as they wish in a kingdom of beauty and love.

I believe in the Training of Children, black even as white; the leading out of little souls into the green pastures and beside the still waters, not for pelf or peace, but for life lit by some large vision of beauty and goodness and truth; lest we forget, and the sons of the fathers, like Esau, for mere meat barter their birthright in a mighty nation.

I believe in educating children, black as well as white. We should lead their young souls into green pastures and beside still waters. We should do this not for money or peace, but for a life illuminated by a grand vision of beauty, goodness, and truth. We must not forget this, lest the sons of the fathers, like Esau, trade their birthright in a mighty nation for mere food.

Finally, I believe in Patience—patience with the weakness of the Weak and the strength of the Strong, the prejudice of the Ignorant and the ignorance of the Blind; patience with the tardy triumph of Joy and the mad chastening of Sorrow.

Finally, I believe in patience. We must be patient with the weakness of the weak and the strength of the strong. We must be patient with the prejudice of the ignorant and the ignorance of the blind. We must be patient with joy’s slow triumph and sorrow’s maddening punishment.