In 1954 “If You Ask Me” columnist B.M. Philips wrote a letter to her children praising the desegregation of American public schools. Though different writers commanded the column at different times, the “If You Ask Me,” column of the AFRO American Newspapers was a staple during the 20th century. In the 1930s “If You Ask Me” made comment on everything from the veracity of Baltimore fortune tellers to the treatment of African Americans defending democracy in Italy, where local waitresses couldn’t understand the racism against Black soldiers. (Photos by AFRO Archives)