The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-06-16

never a waste OF time. The call
ing OF such a conference is a rec
ognition that there exists a prob
lem that must be worked on by
the community. A conference on
Race Relations is technique
within its own right. At confer
ence people get together 10 talk
about the problem. To talk about
4 problem Of any nature is very
necessary. but very necessary in
the field of Race Relations Wrong
ideas about race can only be COR
rected by talk. II the people who
carry and spread the wrong ideas
about race are not allowed an OPP
portunity TO express them, the
people with the right ideas will
never know how much work they
have TO do
A conference solidfies group
interest for dealing with prob
lem. II treasures the workers for
the project that they are not
alone, but are in the company of
a host OF others. There is moth
ing so stimulating as fellowship
in a common struggle. The fell
lowship of the converted" adds
new followers TO the people who
work for the right.
We in Detroit have learned
many THINGS about how to deal
with race conflict: /. We have
learned that any problem OF race
conflict must be isolated the min
ute il comes TO the attention OF
those in authority In other words.
problem of race conflict must
not be allowed to become con-
fused with the general business at
hand Race conflict will often try
10 get itself accepted as normal
where there is inter-race activity.
Race conflict can only survive
when it gets itself accepted to the
extent that it can stop normal ac-
tivity Race conflict situations
have 10 be isolated on the basis Of
the few individuals involved
This is done in the same way that
a medical man isolates diseased
person from his fellows.
q Race conflict must be settled
Immediately. When race conflict
occurs. little time should be al
lowed TO lapse between its occur
ence and the point of settlement.
This serves two purposes: lmme-
date handling of race conflict
serves notice that the incident is
as unacceptable as il the incident
is one of petty theft. Immediate
handling of race conflict situa-
ton prevents any broad taking
OF sides by the general public. The
general public will support the
authority handling the situation il
the general public is assured OF
fortnight leadership.
3. We have discovered that most
race conflict has its basis in some
thing other than color. race and
religion. People in aut hority
should be trained in the art Of
looking for something other than
color hatred race hatred and re-
ligiouS hatred in handling race
conflict.
4. The parties 10 race conflict
incident should be allowed 10 ex-
press how they feel. In most cases
the rabid will talk themselves in
10 position that is untenable
This will be noticed in the shift
OF emphasis from race, color and
religion 10 something more per-
sonal during the conversation.
5. II a race conflict situation
gets TO the public in any form,
the public should be given the
facts and all the facts about the
particular situation. The with
holding OF facts about a race con-
flict situation creates fear and al
lows the imaginations Of people
not involved to run riot. The peo-
pie in authority should make their
non-acceptance and intolerance
OF race conflict in the general
business al hand. These state
ments should be made 10 the pub
lie. Any show Of fear or show OF
uncertainty on the part OF those
in authority in this regard creates
problems OF race conflict.
Conflict on the basis Of race Is
real. There is no use for us to-
day Ia do any wishful thinking to
the contrary. Since race conflict
is with us we have to work at it.
We have 10 use all the knowledge
at our disposal to overcome race
conflict in this beloved country OF
ours. Threats OF race riots and
the like are not the answers
Those OF us who are really con-
cerned about the race situation in
this country must now begin to
spend time working out methods
10 get rid Of the cause OF race
conflict. We, have rehashed the
conflict itself long enough. Meth
DDS are what we need now.