Evening star., 1947-04-29
National Theater Issue

AS reader OF The Star Tor more than
40 years, I. have always thought of it rs
an advocate of even-handed Justice to
all races. But the effect of this editorial
is, fear, to stiffen the attitude of those
who advocate racial antagonism and to
close the theatrical door of cultural
opportunities indefinitely to the Negro.
I believe The Star misinterprets the
meaning Of the Equity announcement 1t
quotes concerning the relatively few
Negroes who would attend the theater.
I believe that If the policy of the thea
ter were changed, comparatively few
Negroes would attend, at least after
newness had worn OF, following the re-
moval Of the ban. But these would be
educated people, well-dressed and per-
sonally acceptable. But the principle
would be established and Washinston
then, so far as It's one legitimate theater
is concerned, would be culturally adult
community. We would then still have
one theater where the best Broadway
successes could be seen as we shall not
unless this change is made. II, as your
editorial implies, we are to wait till the
movies. the schools, the Fairgrounds,
etc" are all free from segregation, We
shall wait till after the National Thea
ter is turned into 4 movie house and
Washington has no theater where We
may see the best of current drama.
z GEORGE r. BowERMAN.
To tn. Editor 81 Tn. star:
- Many thanks for the fine editorial Of
Friday, April as, on "Equitys Ulti-
r1aatum.' Nest certainly with respect to
schools. Fairgrounds, movies, restau-
rants. hotels. ETC., public sentiment sup
ports restrictive practices" Multitudes
would prefer even more segregation than
Is now practiced. No doubt the action
against the National is designed u the
opening wedge"
JOHN 4. SIMPSON.
To the Editor Of The Star:
For once you did not straddle the
issue. Your editorial on "Equity's Ulti-
matum" definitely establishes your
paper rs being opposed to genuine
democracy and on the side with hypoc-
risy and fascism. As one who has
watched the passing parade of the pop
ulation here for nearly one-half CEN
tury, would like to point out to you
that. at the turn of the century, the
National Theater was not the& only
house that made no issue OF the race
of its patrons.
The change in policy was caused by
the Southern influence" in this city
and the absence OF . representative
local government. Good will cannot
thrive and become inflexible against
wrong and injustice If choked by the
weeds Of racism. The latter is the exact
role your editorial tends to play.
When want to see = good play on
the legitimate stage, I, because am a
Negro, have to 60 to New York and pay
the price of time and all incidentals Of
the trip. A native Of former enemy
country can walk right into the Ma
tional Theater unmolested and be cour-
teously seated, while not one OF the
In both world wars, nor their relatives
who also helped to try to make the
world safe for democracy can enter the
house. Is this condition righteous; is
1t just; is 1t decent?
RICHARD w. CANT.
To the Editor of The Star:
I was keenly disappointed in The
Stars reaction to the Actors Equity
ultimatum. I would like to have added
to your editorial, Until newspaper ed
itors have the courage to speak out for
equal rights for all citizens, an effective
breaking down of racial barriers in
Washington will continue to be ham,
pered.'"
Whenever Negro attempts to enter
a theater, restaurant or hotel outside
his ghetto, he is usually repulsed with
the statement that the social custom"
of Washington does not permit his en-
tering and being accommodated. This
excuse for denying the Negro access to
public places has effectively maintained
the barriers which Actors Equity As
sociation, by positive step, is attempt
ing to break down.
The National Theater, to those who
help to maintain the social customs OF
Washington, Is the main line of defense
against breakthrough of democracy
for the Negro. If the National falls,
they reason. Negroes will be demanding
to be let into the other theaters, then
the restaurants, etc. II this is the real
motive" behind Equity's initial thrust
against discrimination, then more power
to an organization that is not afraid to
fight for minority group which Is
hampered in Its efforts to live as true
American citizens In Democracy's Cap
ital by those who feel that being anti
Jim Crow is sinister and dangerous.
The Negro in washington who wishe.
to enjoy the public facilities OF the
Nations Capital does not desire to listen
to those who advocate the vague solu-