The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-03-04

The continuance or sub-standaro
housing among Negro families, with
other forms OF discrimination in
creasing, accompanied by a tenn
porary let-up on the part Of many
organizations, labor, political and
religious, to come out more boldly
against discrimination, is threat 10
racial peace in the city OF Detroit.
Our present racial unrest is slim
ulated by the fact that there is an
unbelievable shortage OF housing
among Negroes, while hundreds OF
vacancies are available for white
families, many of which, have been
INSTRUCTED and never occupied, be-
cause OF whites unwillingness to
move in them.
Negroes who need these houses,
are restricted because of fear on
the part of local, as we'll as govern
mental housing authority, that Ne
gro occupancy in various areas,
though housing vacancies exist,
would be the result of further out
breaks of racial antagonism. I'M
'ortunately. this pattern has be-
come one OF acceptance on the part
Of many people-people whom have
not been able to avail themselves
with the true facts relative to race
citations. / feel that our problem
today, rests with our possibility of
changing antagonistic attitudes that
each race has toward the other. and
The difficulty of this is, that in va
~
race specifically dominates, lies the
seed OF danger.
In localities that are overwhelm.
ingly Negro, there is an unquestion.
able antagonism existing TOWARD
whites. A continued suspicion pre-
walls on the part of these people If
such neighborhoods, to not have an.
respect or confidence in law ant
order.
Likewise. let US review neigh
borhood that Is predominantl
white. Any gathering on the par
of these people, where question
relative TO community improvement
are raised, raises the first suspicio
that the danger facing that commu
nifty depends upon whether or nc
Negroes can be kept out. Surely, W
can today, say with authority, ths
our recent race riot, gave us a pat
tern that can be taken as proof tina
in whatever localities Negro an
white residents jointly occupied, rs
cial outbreaks were at minimum
For example, during the riot. o
the east side of Detroit, whe
whites were being stoned passin
over Garfield. Forest and Ware
avenues, by Negro hoodlums, man
whites living on Superior, Will
and Alexandrine, walked throus
these mobs unmolested. Anothe
example of this was proven on tn
west side of Detroit, particularly,
: the intersection of Warren avenu
and Hamilton, where white hooc
lums stoned and in many instance
ran Negroes from their automobile
Negro children living in tn;
eighborhood, were standing on tt
sidewalks OF Hamilton avenu
! looking on without any harm wha
: soever offered.
Many of the Negro families III
! ing in the area Of Sixth street. No
|
I stood on the sidewalk with viii
= residents OF the same area, as spe'
q tators of atrocities done to Negro,
passing through this area. This. b
! yond doubt, proves that the Close
S races are drawn together, the bett'
I understanding they will have 4
= each other, with the least possibili
: of racial antagonism.
There is grave danger in our pre-
emit racial outlook. What can we
to improve il? First, feel that v
:. can implement programs OF activi
1 in various communities, throuS
: the establishment Of contact Wi
Z many citizens living in these local
4 ties and associating with various o
: CARNATIONS, for the purpose OF II
,, stituting an intra-racial unde
0 standing on what each citizens du
is toward making Detroit cityN