Evening star., 1947-11-24
Concerning MIR. Henderson's Letters


To the Editor Of The Star:
I see that E. B. Henderson, that invet-
crate letter writer, has come forth with an
attack on the Federation of Citizens Assocla-
tions in particular and on the racial situation
in Washington in general.
Mr. Henderson need not worry about the
relatively small attendance at the meetings OF
some of the citizens associations. They operate
on the principle of small republics, each person
who attends representing the views OF some
10 to 20 of his neighbors. When necessary to
support or to rebuke those who attend regularly
they turn out in force enough to fill meeting
places or even theaters.
For some time Mr. Henderson has thundered
even as Zeus from Mount Olympus against the
prevailing social customs in regards to what
he chooses to call racial segregation. racial
discrimination covenants and the status quo,
which is what we prefer to call the right to
privacy If he is so opposed to the above, why
doesn't he prove the honesty Of his convictions
by resigning from the segregated Washington
school system, which pays him well, and set an
example? RALPH w. DONNELLY.
To the Editor of The Star:
The loose use of words in our English Ian
puage today, their lost meaning is apparent
be found than in E. B. Henderson's frequent
letters to The Star on discrimination" The
word discriminate" as Mr.. Henderson uses it
primarily in connection with his favorite theme
of racial theories means, as Webster has 1t, to
discern differences, to make definite dstinc-
ton, It carries no meaning whatsoever OF
prejudice. In my language and experience, 1t
is the God-given means of protection against
policies of nondiscrimination. To discriminate
in hiring, selling to or buying from, living with
or beside any person of any race, creed, type,
character, religion, would simply be to recognize
intelligently differences which exist
Statistics are being quoted today to prove
that the intelligence level in this country is
declining. The confused use of the original
meaning of our language by scribes like Mr.
Henderson (who is only an outstanding example
of the many forces thinkers to this conclusion.
People who pay as dearly to live under
government as we are taxed to live under ours
have earned from that government what they
have paid for, but not received-and one thing
is intelligent discrimination. If the true mean
ing of democracy also were not so hopelessly
buried, we would have some practical applica-
tion Of discrimination in bringing people to OUR
shores to live who don't belong here when we
cannot furnish even homes to our native sons,
alLNOuSu uuSG duIAAt til0t ooAiic AoACiSAcAo
have made better citizens than some OF our
modern" native sons.
There is only one place where discrimination
does not exist-in Gods own creation. But as
far as humanity is concerned, an intelligent
protection against its evils is the ability to
discern differences and the application OF this
discernment. Orderly and high-standard living
results, and not confusion and strife America
has far to go to learn this all over again and
the time Is short. We'd better begin with
ourselves, individually. and work through the
u N or1anizationallY. EUNICE BURKS.