The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-03-17


following 10 oppose any housing
in Southwest Detroit which would
be occupied by Negroes.
White residents In certain
areas have been taught to be
afraid Of certain age-worn myths
about Negroes. They have been
taught that Negroes will depre-
ciate property values II allowed
10 move into q white area, or
better, an area occupied by
white residents. The white res
'idents believe this to be true. In
their minds II Is a real thing. II
is reasonable reaction to the
fear of having ones property
lose valuc. No one has ever
taken the time to really organ
lie white residents for the pur-
pose OF dispelling their fear of
the myths about Negroes. II has
never been said to the average
home owner of white rcsiden-
tial section that the reason prop
erty goes down when Negroes
move into the area. Is because
white owners glut the market
with their homes for sale be-
cause they are afraid when
Negro family moves in.
In other words. white resi-
dents need to be organized so
that they will be able to protect
their property values against
the white mans fear Of the Ne
gro. II Is not the moving in Of
Negroes that affects property
values. but il is the fear on the
part of whites of Negroes that
causes property to lose value.
People who deal unscrupulously
in real estate 20 from door 10 door
in white residential sections after
one Negro family has #e~ed-fif,
and tell the people, Negroes arc
now moving into the area II YOU
do not sell now. you will lose cv-
erything you have invested The
unscrupulous real estate dealer Of
fers price much below the cost
price. and then re-scllS il 20 the
Negro buyer higher than the cost
price, Therefore. the real estate
operator takes advantage OF two
sets of fears: the white mans fear
OF the Negroes moving in. and the
Negroes fear that he will not have
a house in which TO rear his fam
lily in deccncy and comfort il he
does not buy the house which he
knows is being sold 10 him al an
exorbHant price.
There are many other MYTHS
about the Negro which brighten
the average white person in
America. We do not have to 60
into them here except to say
that they are real. and that
nothing has been done to dispeIl
these myths which create SO
much fear and trepidation on
the part of white America.
II ought to be clear to us by
now that IL we are going 10 deal
with Detroits housing problem,
we have got 10 add process TO fact.
To state it differently. facts about
the need OF housing and what the
need Of housing is doing 10 one
tenth OF our population viii not
get an acceptance and sense OF
responsibility for applying a rem
edy 10 these conditions. except we
az the same time provide a meth
cd that will take care OF the fear
in the minds OF the majority in
our population
II is possible. and some think
must be done. for governmental
units 20 purchase land at a rea-
sonable price within the city linz
IFS OF Detroit. and throw il open
10 all citizens Of the city regard
less of race. creed or color. II
would be the responsibility OF the
purchasers OF this land 10 build
homes and 20 maintain them at
minimum standard
II this minimum standard were
not lived up 10. the governmental
unit would re-purchase the prop
erty for the benefit OF the common
good and resell il to persons for
private use.
There are those who maintain
that government cannot do this
under the law. An opinion to
the effect that tho city Of De-
troit cannot purchase property
in TIE city of Detroit for the
purpose Of re-selling II for pri-
vate use has been rendered by
the Corporation Council OF De-
troit. II seems that this opinion
does not take in the fact that
Detroits charter permits the
CITY to do those things that will
enhance the welfare of Detroit.
We all know and admit that the
welfare Of Detroit is going to be
greatly IMPAIRED II we do not
deal realistically and in the I'm
mediate future with our housing
problem.
Unless Detroit and other local
communities begin 10 move in
this direction on its housing prob
lem. all Of the good intentions Of
education. religion. labor unions
and other civic groups will be Just
stale talk.
a large unrestricted area
within the city limits Of Detroit.
.&,.stoNed as to Navdards for q
building. for educational and
recreational opportunities and
religious facilities, will do more
for raciAl harmony and good
will than any one single thing
at this period In our municipal
DEVELOPMENT. II will also serve
as a laboratory for testing proc
esSes for dealing with our race
problems constructively in
postwar period. Our City Fa-
theirs should he urged now to
proceed with plans for such an
undertaking.
HORACE A. WHITE.
TIC Senev national wildlife refuge
in SChnolcraft County Will be opened
- heavcr training for tho frgrf tr0c