The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-03-25
THE SCIENTISTS SPEAK


meeting held in connection with the forty-ninth as
sembly of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts
and Letters voted unanimously last Friday for
resolution which flatly condemns the practice of ra-
cial segregation These social scientists made their
position clear beyond question and they are prepared
to summon the results of all scientific inquiry to sup
port their position They stated that Such thing
as fair segregatona practice is not to be found;
the segregated minority is always placed at legal,
political economic social and psychological disad-
vantage" Further these scientists pointed out that
there is less friction between the when there
is integration and they condemned the segregation
of blood by Red Cross blood banks.
The fortnight declaration of these social scien-
lists at this time when the racebaiters Of America
are riding high, when even our government is ap-
peasng the forces of organized bgotry, represents
an unusual instance of Intellectual integrity. The
Job of trapsatng these scientific truths into the
fabric of our everyday life is made much easier
when these truths are restated by those who have
the respect of the ctizenry at large. Nevertheless
the practical application Of the results of scientific
inquiry is task which cannot be left to academcians
the enlightened laymen must mobilize to combat the
injustices and aggressvey promote new patterns of
race relations which will benefit the whole society,"
Thus the declaration of the social scientists at Ann
Arbor should serve as call to duty and those of us
who can influence public opinion through whatever
media should get busy.
There are many persons of influence and power
who feel that they have part to play in creating
the kind of society which democracy demands today.
Such persons often seek security through the amass
ing of wealth which they pass on to their heirs in
order that they may lead an untroubled life In the
future. These people do not understand that there
can be no such thing as security in world that is
ravaged by hatreds and eternally menaced by ten
sons between races. If the present patterns Of race
relations are permitted to flourish unchecked in
America social instability and serious internal con-
fcts will grow with the years and there will be no
peace at home or abroad
By renouncing the mythical principle of white
supremacy and casting aside the practice Of racial
segregation we shall be able to establish basis for
promoting goodwill between our many different
peoples and for creating true national unity Those
who have their feet placed firmly on the necks of
the Negro people cannot expect them to subscribe to
q phony message of goodwill. The Negro yells with
all the passion in his heart, ake your feet off my
neck" This cry has grown increasingly bitter and
instead of taking their feet off the necks of the
Negro people, many whites believe it is better
plan to press harder and shut the mouths Of those
who protest
There are some persons who insist that if the
walls between the races are destroyed we would
witness period of frightful disorder in America.
They do not see that the order which we have today
is based on the subsection of great minorties and
that their revolt against this subsection has already
brought on disorders. There is order in Hitler's
Germany which is maintained at the point of a gun
Shall we maintain phony order in American society
by keeping millions of fellow citizens in state of
constant terror? Indeed such a system is an invi-
taton to anarchy, or what is worse, fascism.
We must decide now whether we want fascist
America that exalts the principle of force, or whether
we want true democracy which exalts the prin-
ciple of goodwill If it is the latter we want, we will
give due regard to the declaration Of the social scien
lists at Ann Arbor which warns us that segregation
and racial discrimination at cross purposes with
the democratic principles which we profess at home
and for which we now fighting historys greatest
war abroad
A LIBERAL VOICE
In this period when so much is being written