Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-21
Is Behavior the Only Test?

To the Editor Of The star:
would like ITO comment on q communica-
ton from Larry Dooley appearing in the
August Is Star
At the end Of his letter upholding segregation
he states that "only by . mans behavior will
he be recognized" Why then does he look at
mans race instead of his behavior? The as
sumption that all men in the same race behave
alike is absurdly stupid. All men are individuals
and should be judged as such.
I grant Mr.. Dooley the right to choose his
own associates I desire the same right. BY
Associates" however, I do not mean those
persons who cannot be chosen individually in
advance. Before I enter theater or restaurant
or vehicle cannot choose the other people
who will be doing the same. On entering such
place I cannot require the election of all
persons my whim decides I do not choose to
associate" with. If object to an entire race
I cannot avoid all people of that race without
infringing on their rights.
As q matter of fact the system of racial
segregation Is direct denial of individuals to
choose the individuals with whom by engage
ment they will attend a theater performance or
eat lunch. The choice is limited by race. AS .
member Of the Nordic race am prohibited
from discussing business over the dinner table
at public places with members of the Negro
race where segregation exists seldom have
occasion to mix" but bitterly resent the pro-
hibition Of my doing SO, and my resentment
would be greatly increased If were q member
OF race which does not have a monopoly on
the better accommodations. L. A. HALL.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The letter from Larry Dooley in which he
"Upholds Segregation" think puts the matter
in nutshell. 1t is not at all color or religion,
but manners that count. Unfortunately, the
people who seem to be Disseminated against
behave in such a way as to make themselves
Objectionable had perfect example of this
in . parlor car coming from New York to
Philadelphia. A young couple and their Agar
old child got in the car. don't think anybody
objected to their coming in and they belonged
to white race They got on in New York, and
before we were quarter of the way to Phila-
delphia (where they got of, thank goodness)
anybody in the car would have been glad to
throw them off because they made themselves
SO obnoxious They just ruined the place for
everybody else One by one people left the
parlor car where they had paid for seats and
went into a car ahead and stayed there. And
the man of the couple would glare at anyone
who turned toward them when startled at
their manners and once or twice he said,
well, what's the natter" Then they went
right on seemingly deliberately annoying every
one As Mr.. Dooley says, mo FEPC will cure
this i'll. Only q mans behavior will" CIV
To the Editor Of The Star:
In reply to Larry Dooley's letter in The Star
Of August Is, don't think he knows what he
means when he says, mo FEPC or other
legislation will improve the Negro" I say
decent opportunities in employment and other
matters will improve anybody I am Negro
100 per cent and consider my conduct, repu-
tation and behavior in general equal to any
ones in the United States. There are thou
sands here in Washington who can say the
same We are the ones that will help the
Negro race today by being good citizens As
always, and by raising good citizens for to-
morrow.
We would highly appreciate the assistance
Of the FEPC and the other legislation, but
regardless Of its outcome, We will continue TO
be good citizens in spite Of Larry Dooley.
CALVIN LYLEs.