The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1948-11-24
EXEC. Sec, PORTLAND URBAN LEAGUE.
PROTESTS SINGING CORNFIELD MELODY

brated Armistice in assembly. The
Boys Choral group, led by Arlon
Bogard. presented the song known
as "Cornfield Melody The words
go as follows: Some folks say
that a niger won't steal :"
This was, of course resented by
a number of students and teachers
and was particularly humiliating
to the Negro students. Many stu
dents left the auditorium in pro
test. Several students immedi-
ately called our office for advice.
was speaking at Lewis and
Clark College at the time mad did
not return until noon. BY that
time, the principal of the school
had also called. A conference was
arranged and | went Immediately
to Washington High School.
urged that corrective steps be
taken Immediately and suggested
calling students back into assem-
bly, In order that the correction
could be positive and in a face
to face setting. The principal
countered with the proposal that
the correction should appear in
the school bulletin on Friday, No
vember IL, since November II
was a school holiday. l agreed
that such technique might work
If the language used was clear.
fortnight and unequivocal. Here
follows the message as 1t APP
peared:
ION the program presented in
recognition of Armistice Day last
Wednesday, a selection was pre-
scented by choral group in which
words were used that were consid-
cred offensive to our Negro boys
and girls. There was no malicious
thought planned, implied or in
tended by anyone in using this
selection. Racial relationships
have been most harmonious and
cooperative over a long period of
years at our school. This school
sincerely regrets that this hap
psned and all are asked to con-
tinue our present cooperation in
the interest of future harmony
A letter to the principal of
Washington High School is at
tached. You will CLEAN from it
our dissatisfaction with the han
ding of the situation We feel that
there should be an expression
from a number of representative
individuals and groups. indicating
that the Portland Community does
not take lightly undemocratic
procedures in our schools and GER
tainly is opposed to incidents
Which make it more difficult for
students of minority groups to
gain an education.
Furthermore, happenings of this
sort undermine efforts to streng-
then our democracy and cement
national unity. At time when
we are struggling for moral lead
ership of the world, such incidents
set us forth in a light of fraudu-
lence and insincerity in the eyes
of the students, and indeed the
world. When viewed in this light,
such happenings bored on subver-
siveness. 1t is the more signifi-
canoe that this incident occurred
in an educational institution sup
ported by tax funds (everybody's
money!.
1t is of vital Importance that
the School Board, the Superintend-
ent and indeed, all school person
mel realize that this is not a mat
ter which concerns only Me-
groes, but one that is reprehensi-
BILE and repugnant to all decent
citizens regardless of race or
creed. Therefore, 2 strong express
sion from non-Negro groups Is
indicated if there is to be no re-
currence of this or similar Incl
dents in our schools.
Please be perfectly clear on this
point. Do not consider this repre-
sentative of Portland Public
Schools. By and large, our schools
are good on points of race and
group relations. The Urb n
League of Portland has stated this
fact locally and has published it
for a national audience However,
isolated instances such as the
one under consideration do occur
and seem to be happening with
more frequency. 1t is, therefore,
important that your organization
take appropriate action to eradi-
cate forever all vestiges of I'M
democratic manifestations in our
schools.
Portland Public School Officials
Board of Directors: Albert R
Butler, chairman, 1914 Porter
Bldg: S. Eugene Allen, 103 Labor
Temple; Ward H. Cook, 40S S. w.
Stark; Mrs. Gladys P. George, Rt
Is, Box 3OO5; Wendell Gray, 1921
Equitable Bldg; Allen Rinehart
723 N. w. 18th; Stanley S. Ross
1894 N. e. Regents DR..
Superintendent of Schools: Pau
A. Remus, 631 N e. Clackamus;
Assistant Superintendent in
! Charge of High Schools: John