"Let my people live"--the plea of the Negro in his fight against
tuberculosis has become the cry of our nation, a nation whose people are
ravaged by tuberculosis, the deadly disease which caused one death every
thirteen minutes during 1950.
This killer must be cornered or else the youth of America face destruction
from his deadly blows which kill more people between the ages of twenty
and forty than any other.
The youth of today must lead the fight against tuberculosis in order
to some day completely irradicate this dreaded which though contagious is
not hereditary, and can be contracted without any early symptoms.
This goal can be accomplished only through education in which the high school
youth learns to assume responsibility for safeguarding his own health, protecting
the health of others, and putting his knowledge of tuberculosis in to good
habits, sound attitudes, and healthful behavior.
Eating three good meals a day, getting the required amount of sleep and exercise, not over or undereating, and seeing the doctor regularly for physical examinations and X-rays are requisites in the prevention of tuberculosis.
The bright anticipating smile on Santa's face in the 1951 Christmas seal
expresses the hope if thousands affected with tuberculosis--the hope that
will be fulfilled if American boys and girls support the Christmas seal
drive by giving. In order to wipe out tuberculosis in the future, millions
of dollars are needed each year for rehabilitation , medical research, education,
and cases findings.
Not only will the youth helping those who are so unfortunate to have tuberculosis
but will be lessening their own chances of having this horrible disease
as more remedies are discovered though medical research.
"It's a great life again,now that we've licked tuberculosis!" is the ultimate motto goal of our nation and the world. Such a motto enscribed over the portals of the doors of science can be attained by the combined efforts and teamwork of the youth of our land in league against tuberculosis, in support of the Christmas seals, and by the tuberculosis education of all.
Americans have achieved a standard of living which gives us the luxuries kings did not have many years ago. We have telephones, automobiles, refrigerators, and electric appliances out of proportion to our population in comparison with the rest of the world. We eat many times better than any other nation on earth. And our working day now amounts to from 70 percent to 50 percent of other people's. Thus we have time to lead the world in show business and athletics for amusement.
But if we give thanks for these material things only, we may indeed be what foreigners have accused us of being, "worshippers of the dollar." We as Americans should see the reason for our prosperity, see the really important thing we have. The experiment which the Pilgrims began has been successful. The democracy of freedom is working. We can find nothing more deserving of our thanks than Liberty and Freedom. These are the real gems of our nation.