The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1949-12-17
Good Race Relation City Policy


On January srd new Mayor and Council will starr
chapter in the administrative and legislative affairs
of Detroit Therefore this is excellent time for us tc
discuss the problems facing the departments OF
our city government 1t is intention bring light
the need for certain improvements and might oner
some suggestions for improvement.
To- this issue would like to focus attention the
Mayors lnterraca committee The existence of such
committee proof that Detroit officially concerned with
the problems OF good relations This Committee grew
of the experience OF the riot during World War
H. and brought light the need for nterraca peace and
understanding in Detroit As long there is harmony
ard understanding among the groups that make up this
city be assured OF Industrial and social progress
We have watched with interest the strides made by
the Mayors Committee and feel that there is need
for job to be done. Frst, there needs to be
money appropriated by the City Council insure
efficient program. At present the Committee is sha-
down boxing with the real problems.
The Committee needs 70 be strengthened and larger
and qualified staff i necessary do the job of pro-
noting good relations.
The democratic way Of life finds its highest expression
when each group exercises participating voice in the
ing the whole
There are problems peculiar to some groups which
die solely social discrimination and prejudice No
one has ntegently worked out the point at which the
problems all and those solely 10 race
minority OF class preiVdce arise Perhaps be
But he who attributes all disagreeable situation and
misfortunes between members of different pre-
JUDGE and discrimination much as he who re
fuses face his racial bigcsm excus-
es The the cynic and the 'chp the should
err type Of individuals the other is the spiritually.
ellecualy and democratcaly unborn variety Neither
be useful in the solution OF problems arising the
contact of different cultural minores n American
democratic living.
A. orr American experience has repeatedly demon
strated dull passive. sactiHe minority with an alert
active leadership Of individuals and organizations makes
rapid gains along two fronts
81 The n,la-group relationships standards hous-
ing hea teconomc selirelance and nurposive educa-
ton f2l lnter-group contacts community work play
rel gion. and politics
There ALWAYS to be three stages in the nassipc
Of Minority ro1, nerod Of inactive ~ tbat Of active
fi.r,nf Il ffn . ~f,1
individuals step their own group and make ACHE
vemeH as Isolated ndiN duas is recognized and honor
ed by the hole community.
Obviously this as unqualifedly true Of the Detroit
Negro ID the period from the Civil War o the close Of
World War 1918. an area y which the American
phaSiS sas on regr'd indiNdaaStc achievements. II
will continue 20 rold for thoSe personalities and abilities
which can function at their best love workers
The 81 ond stage one i'm which md viduals become
leaders identifying themselves with the welfare of their
own or rrGr IN which they acceptable This stage
in turn trd. "a be stbdildsd III ~ man leaders and
organizations appear 20 be emotionaly charged with bit
terness and hatred and motvated by negatives such
against this aga nst that always looking for what is
wrong and assuming that fairness goodwill cas be
found ~ any group oiher than their themselves
They BY their very methods frequently create I'M
atagonisns which often defeat the ends they
hone 70 accomplish Bat the greatest accomp shments
and hopes among those who dynamized bv pro-
grams of nostye ends such sterilization Of family life
ADEQUATE housing snrtual and social security ALWAYS
creationa and health facilities for youth and age and
host q even ordinary abilities focus the emotions and
energies NJ group 20 lasting achievements
In all such programs Of positive building. however
come periods IN which t'e bloode>s militant attacks
must when evil descending from without in
festifv the groun within must be exterminated.
Thus period of intelligent fighting against a in
justice, such for example, restaurant dscrmns
requires investigation of each complaint
whether there is basis in fact The appropriate
be taken to the benefit of all Then back
the positive constructive ends of long-range program.
a Mayors Iner-racal Committee do the Job If it
has the full backing Of the officials Of the city and
iorty Of Interested citizens who believe action to
social gain - All minority groups bridge the gulf Of
difference n color Of skin ard nationahes with equali-
" Of opportunity in both economic and cultural fields