This is a two-color etching. The documents used in this print are from originals from Colonel Young's home. One document is from the NAACP, and it expresses the concerns of the African American community as they related to Colonel Young's early, forced retirement.

The building in the lower portion of the etching contains the Old Secretary of War Offices where Young met with Secretary of War Baker after his successful 500 mile horseback ride from his home in Zenia, Ohio to Washington D.C. Young was in his 50's when he made the historic ride.

During the summer of 1919, after his forced retirement, Young would - for the first time - work as a full-time warrior for the causes of racial justice and equality. His goals - as they related to "uplifting the race" - were now in full focus so he became a board member of the NAACP.

Young embraced his role as a leader in the cause of "Racial Equality" and became a public speaker not only speaking moderately on the ill-treatment of black soldiers in a still segregated Army but also passionately about racial violence, for the summer of 1919 was known as the "Red Summer" ... one of the most racially violent summers in American history. Even when World War I ended the year before in 1918, there were two race riots in the north, one in Philadelphia and the other in Chester, Pennsylvania. But the worst was yet to come the next year in that infamous "Red Summer" of 1919 with its 26 nation-wide race riots. In addition, there were over 125 people murdered by lynching during those two years. This was the reality that returning African American, World War I troops had to face.

Nevertheless, leaders like Young and his lifelong friend W.E.B. DuBois had to encourage the African American community not to loose all hope.

Since both men had lived and traveled abroad extensively and since both spoke other languages fluently and had gained very sophisticated "World Views," they were both consumed with research into the human condition and both were determined to correct the erroneous conceptions of backwardness of any race of people, especially Africans. For both men believed that as soon as African Americans learned of the many achievements of their ancient African ancestors, they would, as Young stated, "...thank God for every drop of black blood" and that all of Western civilization would know of the "glorious history of the proud race (descendants of ancient Egyptians) that gave civilization to the white race."

Therefore, Young continued on his speaking tours with his presentation to "Colored Young Men of America" where he spoke passionately about the worth of African peoples and the brotherhood and equality of all races.