Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-02-04
Different View of Equality

To the Editor of The Star:
am in sympathy with those who are fight
ing against prejudice and discrimination
against the coored American. Theirs is a
just and vital cause. However would like
to express my disagreement with the philosophy
of Albert Black in his discussion of army
Policy of Segregation" in your January 80 issue.
He seems to feel that the Army, In establishing
separate Negro units in the regular service
or in UNIT, is practicing discrimination and
segregation pfejudicial to the individual Negro
I believe that in taking such stand, Mr.
Black is leading his fellow Americans up a
philosophical blind alley. He is encouraging
the Negro to insist upon submerging himself
in predominantly white group, thus exposing
himself to whatever narrow prejudices are pres
ent and denying himself his native pride in
his kind.
1t seems to me that, instead such leaders
as Mr.. Black should insist that Negroes be
allowed to form their own units-with equality
OF training, equipment, etc. to be sure-but
still Negro units. And that he encourage each
individual to take pride in himself and his own
unit, and to accept a moral responsibility to
prove beyond doubt that his unit is one of
the best.
During the past war had some contact with
so-called "colored' troops serving various flags
Indian, Senegalese, etc. Most of these SOL
diers, in their homelands, suffered far more
discrimination and lack of education with re-
spect to the white population than does the
Negro in America. Yet in most instances they
retained fierce pride in themselves, their
units, and their fighting prowess, and for this
they won the admiration of ally and enemy
alike. do not think they felt that association
among themselves constituted discrimination
In certain respects, they were superior, and
they took pride in it.
In order to break down the barrier of preju
dice, the colored American needs to win the
respect and admiration of his fellow American,
not his antagonism. The fundamental prob
lem lies in peoples hearts, not In the laws
Of the land or in the policy of Government
agency.
Instead of telling his friends that segregation
into colored units constitutes "undemocratic"
discrimination, perhaps Mr.. Black should strive
to build up the same sort of self confidence and
prize which Gen. Pershing showed when
he refused to allow our American troops to be
shuffled in with French and British units
He did this, ! feel sure, M order to prevent
submergence of the proves and heroism of
the individual American soldier and to kinde
pride and develop leadership in his troops.
Mr.. Black should consider whether, in op-
posing segregation, he is not actually overlook
ing what may be the Negroes best opportunity
to demonstrate his ability and character and
his chance to present all Americans with a
stirring example and proof of racial equality.
America respects nothing so much as proven
ability, efficiency and success. So why Ihaggle
over the philosophical question of whether a
minority group of Americans should be ac-
cepted on a completely equalized basis? Why
not just go ahead and prove it?
A. w. NIELSEN.