The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1934-06-09
RACE DISTINCTION AND
RACE DISCRIMINATION
BY Kelly Miller

Race distinction consists In deal
ing with the two racial groups in
separate spheres and different
areas. Race discrimination con-
sists in differentiated treatment to
the advantage or disadvantage OF
the one or the other. We univer-
sally recognize sex distinction in
almost every relation OF life Rare
~ are the two sexes dealt with
aside from distinction based on
sex. In family, school and social
relations. boys and girls are set
apart and dealt with under sepa-
rate codes Wherever there Is dis
elimination. il generally innures To
the advantage of the weaker sex.
We separate the males and females
in our college dormitorics and ac-
cord to the females the better
mode of treatment.
Wherever two groups markedly
differ on any account, distinction
based on observable difference Is
inevitable. albeit. IL may b. crude
or reconcile i'm the manner of re-
cognition Not only the deep physi-
cal diversities but the wide-apart
social and cultural margins be-
tween the two races. from the
earliest contact. made race dis
tinction inevitable. From the be-
ginning until now such distinction.
in marked manner. has charac-
terized the relation between the
two races. The Negro was a slave I;
the white man was free; the one
was white; the other black; the
European was civilized. the Afri-
can was savage. The socia
chasm. based on observable differ.
ences Of race color and condition
universally separate the white ana
non white, especially when applied
to the NOrdic variety In all per-
sonal and non-public relations. this
separation is notable. The races in
termingle and intcrmarry in air
tight racial compartments. They
occupy their separate social
spheres and enjoy themselves in
separate company. Against such
distinction there can be no rational
basis Of complaint and whatever
complaint there may be would De
wholly impotcni The Inferior
group is prone to complain against
distinction. especially of public
sort. because distinction can hard
" exist without discrimination. In
all such distinction and discrimina-
ton. the inferior group will he dis
ad,aniagcd Hence the deep ana
hitted complaint.
The issues involved in and
growing out of the civil War pro
\ ducd the hishrst point Of moral
+ enthusiasm for brotherhood and
! cQuality which our nation has yet
: experiences without regard 10
race or color" became The reigning
4 slogan The Constitution was
amended and civil rights laws
! rasscd TO assure this ideal state
Of things as far as law and lcgis-
la,ion could effect il. Negroes who
had been the immemorial victims
of both distinction and discrimi-
nation became wild with dcliriums
of delight. They mistook an evane-
, scent and fleeting phase for the
permanent mood OF the American
mind. The whole school Of recon
struction statesmen became imbu-
ed for the wild moment with en-
thusiasm for humanity. Especially
did the Negro politicians delight
TO harp upon this chord. Frederick
Douglass, John NJ Langston and
the lesser breed OF perfervid poll
ticians were swept beyond them
selves with the new faith and the
new hope But. alas. the vision on
| the Mount was but fleeting
glimpse. AS the war fervor cooled
down the former line OF racial dis
tinction and discrimination reas-
serted its imperious sway. First
the white South which never yield
ed its racial prejudice for the
aroused nobler impulse OF the mo-
ment. began insideously to reesta-
blish the old order under the
subtle guise Of law. They invented
new slogan with sinister mean
ing Separate. but equal ac-
cOmmOdations fOF the two races.
This has become the dominant idea
which now prevails throughout the
North, and South. Our schools,
cars, and public accommodations
operate on this principle. This Is
the new gospel according to the
new South which the North has
capitulated
Distinction, without discrimina-
ton is a theory which has never
yet been examplfied on land or sea
The pretension OF the Southern
states TO grant the Negro equal
but separate accommodations Is
.ravesty upon justice and common
decency. Separate schools, jim
crow cars an other forms OF race
distinction are never equal. Indeed
IDENTIFY Is the only guarantee OF
equality. Where both races ride In
he same car. attend the same