Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-23
InsIdious Singers Of Apologize.

Insidious Singers Of Apologize.
To the Editor OF The Star:
You are to be congratulated upon your
editorial entitled Race Discrimination
ISSUE" for 1t indicates clearly that The.
Star can, and with commendable de-
gree of adroitness, straddle the fence
OF public opinion without leaning too
perceptibly to either side Of an issue
assuming that point Of debate has only
two sides.
have always been greatly impressed
by the liberalism Of The Star in dealing
with 'the Negro problem" and with its
ramifications. 1t is the type Of liberalism
which Is pref1xed by the statement that
I'VE are without prejudices. Why. some
of our best friends are Negroes. But"
The editorial sounds few notes which
I have heard warbled frequently by
liberals Of the group to which The Star
belongs. Practice has made for per-
lection. You are the insidious singers
Of an insidious apologize. Unlike Pope,
certainly you do not contend that
Whatever is, is right" To admit that
you hold such an attitude would be
much too candid. 1t Is safer to say that
whatever is may be wrong, but that
Washington is not ready yet for the
elimination OF restrictive practices"
When shall we be ready? Will 1t be
tomorrow, or the next day? And how
long Is tomorrow? Is The Star proving
itself to be an effective instrument to
bring about the destruction OF racial
barriers which are offensive to all think
ing people, or Is The Star conforming
with local mores because it finds con-
formity expedient? One thing is certain,
democratic principles are not in force
in the Nations Capital. nor will they
be until the influential groups purport-
ing to uphold liberal policies assume a
leadership that is sincere and I'M
equiyocal. Do you accept this criticism
as challenge?
M. SYLVESTER RYAN,
ANITA F. FERGUSON,
Instructors, Howard University.
Defends Race Committee Approach.
To the Editor CT The STAR
You seem to be toting water on both
shoulders.
In the light Of historical warfare
against slavery, serfdom and the rights
of underprivileged people, it is wise not
to temporize with evil.
You suggest poll to find out II a
majority Is in favor of continued race
discrimination. Undoubtedly many whites
and many Negroes favor phases of Jim
Grow. But in the field of artistic enter
tainment, only few people would stay
away from Lisner or the National
Theater If one or two hundred colored
people were scattered in the audience.
I want to deny that the Committee
for Racial Justice was more than digni-
fed in its approach to the Lisner Theater
problem. 1t decided not to picket even
though it was known that many of the
performers would not have crossed
picket line. The management was re-
quested peacefully and with logic not
to ban the handful OF Negroes who
would attend this type of entertainment.
Only when no logic nor reason could
bring about an intelligent solution or
cause timid leadership to test the &C
ceptance of liberal situation did our
committee appeal to the fair. play and
ideal Americanism of the artists them
selves.
Finally, the matter of getting lid of
racial discrimination In the National
Capital-and Of all places here's
paramount, for what we do in Wash
ington affects negotiations for universal
peace and the concepts of Christian
brotherhood E. B. HENDERSON,
Vice Chairman of Committee for
Racial Democracy in the Nations
Capital.
On Changing Human Nature"
To the Editor OF The Star:
Your editorial, Race Discrimination
ISSUE was the most sensible one I've
read anywhere, yet suppose the radi-
Gals will be on your neck about it. After
every war there seems to be pattern
of discomfort along this line.
History shows that during reconstruc-
ton, when the radicals had control of
the South as result of disfranehise-
ment Of Confederate officials, the oldest
and most aristocratic college in South
Carolina was forcibly opened to Negro
students. For q year or two whites
continued to dribble in. Then they de-
serted it.
Human nature cannot be changed by
force. If the arrangements of the va
rious theaters, hotels and restaurants
were convinced they could show greater
profits by policy Of unrestricted ad-
mittance, you may be sure they would
throw open the doors without delay.
HISTORIAN.
Fair Statement Of Situation.
To the Editor of The Star:
want to congratulate you on the
excellent editorial on Race Discrimina-
ton Issue"
Most of the advocates of nonsegrega-
ton make the statement that large
majority Of Washington residents are in
favor of nonsegregation. On the other
hand, not one white citizens association
has ever taken favorable action, while a
great number have taken unfavorable
action as to nonsegregation of play
areas.
Your editorial Is fair statement of
the situation and hope 1t will receive
consideration of all groups concerned
with the subject
JAMES E. SCHWAB.
Wants to Decide What's Right"
TO the Editor Of The star:
Iagree with the first and second para-