In 1945 in Alaska, citizens could address the state Senate. The public was allowed to speak from the gallery, and Native civil rights activists Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich were in attendance daily during the floor debate. I personally would prefer not to have to sit next to these Natives in a theater. Why, they smell bad. . . . I stand in support of the Equal Rights Bill.
Discrimination does exist. . . .
Rather than being brought together, the races should be kept further apart. When my husband and I came to Juneau and sought a home in a nice neighborhood where our children could play happily with our neighbor's children, we found such a house and arranged to lease it. When the owners learned that we were Indians, they said no. No law will eliminate crimes, but at least you, as legislators, can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of the present situation and speak of your intent to help us overcome discrimination. This super race attitude is wrong and forces our fine Native people to be associated with less than desirable circumstances.