The Omaha guide., 1939-06-17
CATHOLICS
MOVE FORWARD
By Floyd J. Calvin
LISTED by Editor & Publisher

With the opening of the DePor-
res In~terracial Center at 20 Vesey
street, New York. City, by the
Catholic ~Interracial Council of
New York, the Catholic group
takes a definite and long step
forward in interracial and cultural
activity, and in their gallant
fight for social justice for all
groups, which for a number of
years now has been conducted with
one spicicuous success and with adj
mirable courage and inexhaustable
vigor and vitality.
For many years prior to the be-
ginning of the Catholic i~nterracial
work, it was thought by some
people that this great institution
was Indifferent to the plight OF
the Negro in our social and econo-
mic scheme of things; and some
persons even expressed resent
ment that a religious organlza-
ton of such towering strength
and real influence did not actively
undertake to cultivate the Negro
spiritually, and offer him sympa-
thy. succor and assistance in his
uphill fight to a better place IN
American citizenship.
But thanks to Father Markoe
of st. Louis, who launched thai
valuable little magazine, the In
terracial Review, and now to the
New York Catholic ln~terraelal
leaders, Father John LaF'arge,
Editor George K. Hunton of the
Review and their surrounding
friends and co-workers colored
and white, including such distin-
ouished colored characters as
Judge Myles A. Paige, DIR. Edward
F. Rest. DR.. Hudson J. Oliver, and
Elmo M. Anderson, and sucn as
<;ron;ehed white characters as
Hon. James J. Hoey, Mr.. Schuyler
N Warren Mr.. Nicholas A. DON
uellv and Mr.. Maurice Lavanous'
+bo interracial movement in TINS
Sield has become a force IN Ameri-
can life to be reckoned with.
The opening of the Derorres
Interracial Center on May ~ with
a beautiful art exhibit by JACOB
Lawrence, distinguished Negro
artists. and with a suite OF rooms
designed especially for the holding
of interracial meetings, both Tor
NAL and informal, where real ana
honest friendships may begun SUI
muated and promoted, is to u.s.
one of the finest steps yet mad
in ~interracial activity. Fol- any
one to visit this center and see
the spirit of friendliness that per.
yades it, and note the pains ana
plane on which the interraclal con-
care taken to provide a very hlgn
facts may be made, and to note
the solicitude given to the culti-
walton of Negro friendship, Is re-
assuring indeed that our American
democracy is indeed the best pos
sible governmental system under
which all men may stand and
"render unto the Caesar the things
that are Caesars, and unto God
the things that are Gods"
We commend the DePorres
I~nterracial and cultural Center to
all, regardless of race or creed.
Visit it; see for yourself the new
meaning that Catholicism has for
both Negro and white citizens,
whether they be of the faith or
not. Here you will be inspired to
press forward in your own faith
or not. Here you will be inspired
to press forward in your own
path of life and living with new
hope and new courage; here you
will catch a true glimpse of what
we may expect our american of
tomorrow" to be, interracially.
Refugees
Some of our people are very
outspoken on the refugee question
in private. 1t appears that Ne
eroes in the larger cities of the
North and East are suffering loss
of employment from the influx
of refugees. We know of some per-
sonal instances where this has
been true.
Of course the refugee question
is larger than individuals and per
sonalities. America, additionally,
has extended a welcoming hand
to the oppressed of all races and
of all lands. We would not wish
America to change this policy. We
would like however, that America
,,sa d;scrotion and common sense