The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-12-09
Radio Debate
On Disregard Of
Race Disparity
Two University
Professors On
National Hookup

Pennsylvania. took the affirmative
and DR.. Houghten. OF Harvard uni
versity. the negative. In q radio de-
bate recently broadcasting over the
NBC nationwide lookup. on the
subject. should Democracy Disre-
gard Racial Differences" The ar
gumert o. the two speakers were
as follows:
DR.. Montague: Democracy In
for the individual. The disregard
Of racial differences Is the essence
OF democracy. There are no infer
Tor and superior races. There are
no known differences between
races. There are only differences
OF background. geographical condi-
,ions ard opportunities. Democracy
should disregard racial differences
and give TO each equal social oppor-
tunities.
DR.. Houghten: There does appear
10 be some justification for the be-
lief in the special endowment OF
races. II satisfactory proof OF any
such special potentialitIes OF par
ticular races can be established. ]
think there ougat TO be a special
department OF the government for
The encouragement and development
OF their special gifts. For instance
The Negro Is said 10 be endowed
with the gift OF music. The Irish
are said 10 be specially endowed as
administrators OF the public bust
ness and as policemen. | am for q
policy OF government that would
make greatest use OF the known
and establish erdowmenie Of races.
Dr. Montague: Science has dis
covered no fundamental differences
between the individuals OF the va
rious races. The Creator has not
Disseminated against any race IN
the natural abilities with which
IL is endowed. In fact there Is no
such thing as pure race All are
10 some degree mixed. These in
dividusls Of mixed race are In no
way Inferior 10 the forbears from
which they came and mary are SUI
perior.
Or. Houghten: We are In agree
ment truth there are no known diff
fefenoes In the capacity OF races. All
have their God-given personalities
limited by the various conditions In
which they live. In regard to the Ne
gro and The Indian, am for new
deal On part OF the government 10
these racial groups Our board or
Indian affairs has dealt unfairly
with the Indian for years and II is
my belief that the government owes
TO both these groups a special duty
10 III the burdeEsome inequalities
imposed upon them by neglect. pre-
JUDGE. Indifference and restric-
tive legislation.
DR.. Montague; Equality OF oppor-
tunliy for all without regard TO
race. creed or color is the attain
able goal for which We should all
work in this democracy. Progress
toward this end Is very slow be-
cause OF the deeply rooted prejud-
ces OF the great masses or the poo
pie. But scientific knowledge backs
the proposition that democracy
should disregard racial differ
ences. Therefore, we should work
for full opportunities for the in
dividuals OF all races that all might
make their full contribution TO
American life and progress.
DR.. Houghten: Education II max
ing some hesdwsy in exposing and
dethroning the fsllacies OF race
which prejudice shelters and per-
petuates. believe In the obligation
OF democracy 10 provide opportuni-
ties for all and believe that some
thing should be done to make this
more OF an sctuality rather than
pious platitude