Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-11-16
FAIR
ENOUGH
BY Westbrook
PeeIer

AVA general, mace dn duuless
last week in which he deplored I,
racial disunity and prejudice
and proposed that local groups
be formed across the nation TO
combat this sort of thing.
He should have gone into par
ticulars regarding the sources or
this dangerous agitation Tor ne
certainly is in a position 10
know that the trouble is aggra-
waited much less by the ordinary
American, who. undoubtedly,
does have his prejudices, usu-
ally mild or dormant, than by
the Communists. the Negro
press and Marshall Field. all OF
whom exploit for their own pur-
poses the frictions between
whites and Negroes, Gentlles
and Jews.
The Communists not only
address their appeals to the
Negro as a Negro and the Jew
as a Jew and the first victim OF
Hitlerism, but they constantly
put forward the most eXasperat-
ing individuals TO be found IN
either group as representative
even heroic, Negroes and Jews
with the very purpose OF arous-
ing hatred. Their method is TO
identify such individuals as
typical Negroes and Jews, know
inc that most normal Americans
will instinctively hate them and
thus be tempted 10 hate all
Negroes and all Jews.
THE Communists thrive on
i turmoil. disunity and con-
fusion and, as even Mayor La
Guardia once remarked when
they were deliberately promote
ing and prolonging a local prob
lem. they never want peace
full settlement OF any issue 0but
would sacrifice the very people
for whom they pretend TO light.
There is no element COM.
parable TO the Negro press iry
the promotion of race con-
sciouSness among the Negroes
and racial distrust of the white
population. These publications
have a large circulation and
they constantly remind the
Negro that he is a Negro while
calling on the white press 10
forego all such distinctions.
They miSrepresent the back
ground facts of all disturbances
so as 10 make II appear that,
invariably. some white man was
responsible for the trouble and
the Negro Communists and fell
low-travelers always receive
recognition as racial leaders.
Thus, white men who read
this propaganda are given 10
suspect or believe that the
whole Negro population is fol-
lowing men and women whose
purpose in life is 10 destroy the
American government.
THIS naturally does not make
L for that friendship and un-
Outstanding by the Negro Of the
white man and vice versa for
which Mr.. Biddle pleads and all
good Americans yearn.
Mr.. Field is a false friend Of
both groups for whom ne pre-
tends 10 carry on unremitting
war in print. He aggravates in
cidents into causes and although
he Identifies individual Jews as
Jews he holds that IL is eve
dence Of hatred in a gentle 10
describe himself as such.
But in so doing he gives cir
culation 10 disturbing IDEAS
some or all Of which may he
sheer inventions of his journal
lists who, Al the very beginning
Of his publishing enterprise in
New York. included m any "A
the most conspicuous followers
OF the Communist Party line
and adherents OF the Commu-
mist leadership in the News
paper Guild.
Mr.. Biddle is not a naive man
and / am sure he knows that
the most influential agitators Of
racial and religious hatred are
10 he found among these ele-
ments, all adherentS of his own
party and of the ruling admin
istration Of which he is a part.
The standard daily press Of
the country has handled these
very delicate problems with
great tact and has even played
down some incidents just be-
cause they were inflammatory.
The guiltiest Of all agitators are
those who pretend TO fight
against group hatreds.
1919. by United Features. synd.