Evening star., 1948-04-08
Army Segregation Denounced

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To the Editor of The Star:
=. I am opposed to a Jim Grow army In the
United States for several reasons. I write my
objections because at the recent hearings
= there were some violent objections, but there
were also some who approved 1t on the basis
Of expediency. hope my reascp6 viii be
rational, without undue emotion.
In the first place, Jim Crow army necessi-
tates an unnecessary expense. War, today, Is
the most expensive operation any nation can
pursue. The last war brought nearly all Of the
nations thus engaged to the very brink of
bankruptcy. Because of expense alone, it is
doubtful whether any nation, including our
own, can survive another war.
How foolish therefore, to add to the tre-
mendous cost of military maneuvers-the
luxury, the unnecessary expense of segregated
armed forces They necessitate separated
registration centers, separated camps, officers.
personnel, etc. In most cases 1t is sheer dupli-
cation without rhyme or reason. But 1t
makes tragic difference to the economy of a
nation. Standards Of living are lowered, edu-
cation denied, health impaired, and unborn
generations will be forced to carry an unfair
burden of overwhelming debt, created by silly
forbears who preferred to curse future pos
terity by the unwise expedient Of segregated
army. for no better reason than the fact that
some Of its citizens were different In race,
creed or national origin.
In the second place, q segregated army pre-
sents divided, not a united, front
If it becomes necessary to call millions OF
our young men to the colors again because Of
a world crisis, God forbid it will not only be
because of national security but because the
survival of civilization itself will be at stake
This demand, this crisis, this threat to all that
Is high and holy will require Of us our physical
substance our best leadership and our noblest
spirits, If we are to have any hope for ultimate
victory.
Divided We Fall"
How utterly futile, how naive and unspeak-
ably stupid it would be for us, with so much
at stake. to make the fatal blunder in present.
ing anything other than an absolutely united
'front.' Perhaps, a cliche here Is not amiss.
Together we will stand, divided we shall surely
fall. That was never more true than 1t prom
ises to be in the immediate future. The time
LIS long overdue when every American should
be accorded the same privileges and oppor-
tunities of every other American Then, and
not until then. will each of us, regardless of
race or religion, be proud of our native land
and thus be willing to make the supreme sacri-
flee for its perpetuty.
In the third place. am opposed to segre-
gated army because in the light Of our claims
to democracy it proves us false to our own
afirmations
The foundations were laid by men and
women from across the sea who suffered hard
ships and death, in search Of religious and
economic freedom. One hundred and ffty-six
years later they defied tyranny and through
sheer determination won their political free
dom, stating In their Declaration of Inde-
pendence that all men are created equal,
and that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalianable Rights that among
these are Life. Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness"
This Is goal which we have pursued
through the years, never quite attaining 1t;
yet, it has been and still is our dream. The
concept of democracy inspires us during the
dark periods Of history, and gives us the
strength to push back tyranny when 1t is
threatened. It is our greatest commodity, and
is the one hope for all humanity.
Shall We, who glibly offer 1t as the panacea
for the ills Of other nations betray 1t our
selves? segregated army, calculated to de-
fend this concept Of democracy becomes the
instrument Of It's own destruction. This Is
sacrilege In its worse form
ROBERT W. BROOKS,
Pastor, Lincoln Congregational Temple.