The European immigrants have hitherto excluded the Negroes even from the menial positions.

In the midst of the drudgery left for them, the blacks have often heretofore been debased to the status of dependents and paupers.

Scattered through the North too in such small numbers, they have been unable to unite for social betterment and mutual improvement and naturally too weak to force the community to respect their wishes as could be done by a large group with some political or economic power.

At present, however, Negro laborers, who once went from city to city, seeking such employment as trades unions left to them, can work even as skilled laborers throughout the North.[7] Women of color formerly excluded from domestic service by foreign maids are now in demand.

Many mills and factories which Negroes were prohibited from entering a few years ago are now bidding for their labor.