Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-12-28
Racial Progress Without Violence

To the Editor OF Inc star:
As a longtime resident Of Washington, and
as q friend and admirer of many Negroes
through the years, deplore the recent rapid
deterioration Of racial relations, aud appeal
to you to aid in stemming the current trend
towards blood and tears
The first need seems to be severe public con-
demnation Of the false leadership, both white
and Negro, that constantly whips up dissatis-
faction and racial hatreds regardless Of truth
and progress. That is not the way to perma-
nent good, but only to great harm What
ever may be the temporary gain, 1t lays the
foundation Of certain ultimate violence and
retrogression
Wise, constructive and honest leaders will
promote good will and harmony as the only
safe road to betterment, for both Negroes and
whites. This applies to all complex human re-
lations, whether family, social, religious eco
nomic or racial. Leaders who play upon
hatreds, who foment dissention and encourage
disunity are enemies to their alleged good
causes and do a tremendous disservice to their
pretended benehciaries, as well as to the public
at large. They earn the scorn and condemna-
ton Of all good citizens
Here in the United States we have q great
number Of white groups and an equally compl-
Gated Negro racial mixture. The melting pot
Apart from color, there are vast instructive
racial differences, pronounced variations Of
morals ethics, industry, thrift generosity,
compassion, loyalty, courtesy. Together, all
these and many more make up patterns of
opinions, convictions, emotions, habits, customs
and the like. Collectively the white pattern is
not only substantially different from the Negro
but less easily altered because fixed by q much
longer duration since only within the last
few centuries have Negroes assimilated many
white attitudes
One deep-rooted white aversion 10 against
marriage with Negroes. In the final analysis
this is the heart Of the controversial question
Of segregation that calls for wise, constructive
and honest leadership for its best solution. In
equity the question has two sides. Yet ninety
percent OF current advocacy Is devoted to
virulent -sidedness, and to highly distorted
half-truths that are well-calculated to inflame
emotions, with little or no regard for common
sense or balanced reasoning.
The latest Of long series of such provoca-
tive movements comes from an irresponsible
Committee on Segregation General Grant has
characterized its report as special plea,
more intent on arousing indignation than upon
unprejudiced and correct presentation OF all
the facts" Concerning our public schools, the
report leads Negroes to believe that they suffer
under intolerable injustice which can be cor
rected only by abolition of segregation. Well
intentioned leadership would have urged the
equalization Of any substantial differences In
school facilities. Leadership devoted to the
whole truth would have pointed out that
whites pay most Of the costs of colored schools,
which is one among many reasons why white
preference for having their own children segre-
0ated antilles them tn that right The racial
bitterness, habitually engendered by the agita-
tors Is itself q cogent reason for segregating
children. Peace-making leadership would not
have encouraged unwarranted discord and hate
on this score.
But doctrines of harmony, goodwill and two
sided equity do not suit troublemakers. Without
constant emotional and discordant agitation
certain selfish organization officials would lose
their daily bread. Altruistic reformers would
lose q chance to start new chain Of evils,
surprising the evils they aim ut correcting.
From whatever motive, the fomentors Of hatred
are the breeders Of violence and chaos.
The advancement Of the Negro would be
best promoted by intoxicating in him creed
somewhat Is follows. one equally applicable to
whites: "Have kindly regard for thy neighoor
Of whatever race; be generous to him IN thought
manner and deed; copy his virtues and refrain
from his vices; carry bravely the burdens OF
advancement; acquire economic wel-being
through industry, thrift and providence; de-
velop intellectual capacity through mental
effort; give help gladly to those willing to help
themselves; give proudly as much as you de-
mand: promote the stability Of lawful order;
recognize that rights and privileges carry obli-
cations" DUDLEY w. KNOX,
Commodore, q. s. Navy, retired.