The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1944-08-16
lar colared peonle only. .


order was issued from
the Puget Sound Navy Yard Of
flee and not from his office. that
the policy of USO No. 2 is not
one of segregation and discrim-
nation Every one. regardless
of color is welcome to any and
all affairs given by this agency.
Everyone is likewise treated
alike. This is an ultimatum
handed down from the National
office and as long as Mr.. LilIard
remains i'm his present category
he will see that this policy is
carried out to the letter.
We. the sepia citizens of
Bremerton, are opposed to all
types of racial discrimination and
are against segregation in all of
its ugly forms because such is a
direct threat to continued exist
ence of American democracy.
What happened at the ferry
dock and what happens to race
members daily in the various
white Establishments in town
cannot weaken our faith in our
American government, for we re-
alize that these people do not
represent true American tradition
of freedom of mankind.
The argument in this article is
not to point out any desire for
social equality. For colored
Americans as a rule, but with
few exceptions, are not interested
In intermingling.
The issue behind our complaint
to the Black Ball official (Mr.
Green) and his self-imposed di
receive is this.
Here in Bremerton where,
roughly, about 1000 Negroes are
living and in this city of $4,000
people, there are not half a
dozen places in town where the
sign 1--WE cater to white trade
only" isn't seen or isn't dupli-
Gated verbally.
Because of these conditions RAJ
cial tension is very high. Every
one, apparently white and black,
goes around with a chip on his
shoulder.
The resentment of the Sepia
population has reached the pro-
pensity of a loaded powder key.
What we are interested in do
ing is creating racial good will
and diverting any possible race
riots which can easily be started
from such little, insignificant in
cidents as the one in question.
The continuation of pent-up
emotions among these suppressed
peoples-who like all other races
are doing their part, as far as
patriotic Afro-Americans are per-
mitted to go-can lead to but
one thlng-an outlet of freedom
Birds of a feather will flock
together, so, there is no point
in separation for segregation
This in itself is a direct attempt
to further racial dissention, hear
more Goals on the existing fires
of hatred.
We, here in Bremerton, are
trying our best to alleviate these
deplorable conditions through
carefully planned association
from a democratic standpoint.
All are entitled to go and to do
as they please, that is the law
of the land, if they conduct them
selves properly. Friendship and
cooperation in all fields of en-
deavor for the good of all con-
cerned is what we want. Only
such as truly admire each other
will mingle in intimate associa-
tions. That is our God-given
privilege.
There is no need to fear that
droves of colored will flock into
leading white establishments or
give up their present living quar-
ters and crowd out present resi-
dents from their restricted white
districts.
This is only the thinking of
the ignorant whites who, because
of their own selfish interests,
preach these disgusting, disas-
ferrous, Hitlerian contentious.
We would like to see Bremen
ton take steps similar to those
of Seattle and especially Tacoma,
but expressly of San Bernardino,
Calf. Here the city council
simply called a meeting, passed
a law banning all racial discrim-
ination in all public places. In
a very short time Bremerton
would be a changed city and
none for the worse.
The colored citizens of this
line city do not believe that there
ire crooked racial deals linked
With our local USO setup.
1t is more evident that the
ocal powers-that-be are nonco-