The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-02-27
Is America Keeping Faith With
Her Valiant Negro Servicemen?
Widespread Evidence Discrimination Cited by Rev Dr. Walker
Leila r. Alexander Brotherhood Week Articles Startling
Instances Cited Decisive Action Nfust Be Taken TO-
Unity.
BY MRS. LEILA n. ALEXANDER
(soclal Director, Pearl Street
Community Housed

Catholic and Jewish faiths speak Is
one voice, throughout the nation to
affirm their belief in the Father
hood Of God, and Brotherhood. Of
man.
Denial OF this precept In practice
Is bringing unprecedented suffering,
and sorrow to the world today,
here and in many lands.
In "A Call to- the Churches Of
America" DR.. Ralph w. Sochmal1,
Christ Church, Methodist, New
York City: Father Edward j.
Walsh, O. M, former president, st.
Johns university, Brooklyn. New
York; and Rabbi Israel Goldstein,
president, Synagogue Council Of
America, say:
"WhlIe the energies Of the ma
tion and OF its political and mill
tary leaders are devoted TO the
prosecution Of the war, the
churches and synagogues Of
America have o unique contribu-
to make.
at Is to proclaim and to illus
trate by action ct home those
principles Of justice, atnity, UNI
derstanding upon which hu.
man brotherhood depends and to
commend them to the world.
every diyisive and destructive
Influence from within the nation
or without, every vestige Of preju-
dice that sets men apart, how
ever subtle or long established,
must be abjured and rejected.
"The time for patient forbear-
ance has passed. We are faced
by q crisis with which we must
deal resolutely.
LET the churches and syna-
gogueS now lead the way without
compromise or delayl Now
Is the time to set In motion o
powerful movement across the
country for the maintenance Of
national unity and brotherhood"
Negro Americans are stationed
across the world In the Orient,
North Africa, and In many
Of the service.
Thousands, In segregated units,
are isolated by race prejudice and
hostility in Southern training
camps and adjacent towns. Orders
are white soldiers first" in service
and training opportunities; promo
ton: transportation facilities, and
In daily details Of military life.
There are camps, North and
South, In which our Negro soldiers
are happy and active in their work
under fine courageous leadership
which successfully overcome the OBJ
stacles Of established divisive prac-
tices.
we are concerned, however, with
the problem OF transportation for
individual and groups Of Negro SOL
diers on leave or fl,rlough.
In the Southern states, they are
permitted to travel only on Jim
Grow" trains or buses, inadequate
In quantity, inferior in quality and
service. Or, they ride on the few
rear seats In busses and public con-
veyances.
How and when they ride, II at all,
Is determined In the present emery
ency solely by wtirn and authority
Of the bus-driver.
However. urgent the need, these
soldiers are Inundated, ordered to
stand aside until white soldiers, and
civilians are accommodated.
# they assert manhood, or pro-
test indignities, they are often vio-
lently ejected--sometimes Jailed.
Restricted by such service, men
often remain on the Army post
rather than (risk the uncertain use
OF transportation to and from
u. Is. o. and recreational centers
IN adjacent towns. Much OF their
Army pay-check goes into long
distance taxi service.
These soldiers are seriously ham
dicapped and unnecessarily IA
tigued on leaves and furlough, hav-
ing many miles to travel for brief
home visits, and often are refused
at lunch counters and restaurants
They are United States soldiers
in uniform, fighting for Democracy
Thousands Of Negro and white
youths, once trained In Christian
principles and practice, are now
innoculated daily with the virus Of
race prejudice, and resentment.
These facts are not presented to
arouse inter-racial ill-feeling or tc
lessen morale In Negroes (who al
ready know the situation). We have
faith in their loyalty and determi-
nation to fight and die, II need be
as a constituent part Of America
for the freedoms of democracy.
We cite them, here and now. be-
cause we recognize q crisis which
prompt resolute action can and
must correct.
An evil, tolerated in time of peace
under pressure Of wartime travel
has assumed proportions fatal tc
progress in Brotherhood, democracy
and national unity.
We have faith in the power Of
aroused public or.nion, and intel
ligent leadership in the Protestant
and Catholic churches, and Jewish
synagogues, directed toward q cor
receive measure in an emergency
crisis.
We suggest that united church
leadership, perhaps through the
brotherhood, support Presiden
Roosevelt Of the United States. II
an edict which would prohihii
race discrimination or segregation
against any soldier in United
states uniform, on any system O
public transportation anywhere II
the United states.
II this be done. more win follow
through increased faith In tn
power Of Christianity to achieve
democratic practice here ans
abroad.
WEST SIDE HILL
"a Mans Iafe Is HE Aiuae" vii