Message To The American Negro, May 1, 1929⁹

Let not the 12 million Negroes be ashamed of the fact that they are the grandchildren of slaves. There is no dishonour in being slaves. There is dishonour in being slave-owners. But let us not think of honour or dishonour in connection with the past. Let us realise that the future is with those who would be truthful, pure and loving. For, as the old wise men have said, truth ever is, untruth never was. Love alone binds and truth and love accrue only to the truly humble.

M.K. Gandhi

Sabarmati
1st May, 1929

[This message was sent to Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, editor of The Crisis, who had requested an article. Please see Section IV for text of letter to Dr. DuBois.]