The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1950-07-08

black vote is. respected and feared
because of its political independ-
ence. But it is not feared enough.
Where today the black vote holds
the potential balance Of power in
II states with 2S1 electoral votes
and is constantly growing in in
fluence in other states as a re-
suit of the Texas white primary
decision the NAACP won in the
Supreme Court, it is not yet ie-
| spected enough to stifen the
/ backbones of Republican and De-
mocratic Senate leaders enough
to overcome the opposition of the
Dixiecrats.
In saying this, do not adj
yocate violation of or departure.
from the Associations traditional
non-partisan political structure.
We do not urge you to vote for
this political party or that one,
for the candidate wearing 0ne
party label or one wearing that
Of the opposition. We are not
cynical enough yet to say to the
two major political parties, "a
plague on both your houses
But we do say that both major
political parties should and must
be responsible as political parties.
And we say unequivocally that
irrespective of party each in
dividual senator and congress-
man should be held to strict ac-
ceuntsbility for not only the way
he voted but what he did or did
not: do behind the scenes on civil.
nights laws. The record will be
supplied to all Americans in
terested in the fundamental pro-
blen of human rights. We urge
you to keep your eyes conferred
on the fundamental principle in
velved in this action and to let
neither misunderstanding nor
political utilization lead you a
stray. The colored vote came of
age 20 years ago when, in the
Parker case, those who ignored
the pleas of the colored voters
were taught a lesson. The time
has come for not only colored
but all Americans who oppose
bigotry 10 give another lesson in
common decency to the political
shysters in Congress.
We begin the second half of
the 10th century measurably
more powerful and advanced in
our struggle than at any period
in the history of America. Today
in addition to victories in the
courts Of law and public opinion,
the efforts of the NAACP over
a period of 20 years have played
a determining role in improving
the picture of the colored man
given by the movies, radio, tele-
vision, the stage, in literature
and in journalism. Distinguished
public servants, who incidently
happen to be colored, such as
DR.. Ralph J.. Bunche, Federal
Judge William H, HASTE, Am
bassador Edward r. Dudley and
others break new ground and
prove how great are the gifts
which colored Americans can
make to their country. The color
line in organized and amateur
athletics is well on its way to-
wards total abolition as most of
America applauds. What was be-
lieved a decade ago to be an i'm
possible dream is now rapidly
nearing fulfuillment = abolition
of racial segregation in the arm
ed services - despite the sniping
and opposition of men like SEN
ator Richard Russell Of Georgia.
Employment and grading Of
colored workers in industry lags
behind that of other Americans,
But the differential is not quite
as marked as it was prior to the
FEPC, the activity in organized
labor by colored men and the
concern Of organized labor about
discrimination. The entire nation
= with the exception Of Congress
- is moving forward on the civil
rights front.
But these gains, though NUM-
erous and basic, do not mean our
struggle is won. There are deep
and noisome cesspools of pre-
JUDGE which are yet to be clean
ed. There are vast numbers Of
Americans who still believe deep
in their hearts that wearing Of a
dark skin places the wearer in
the status of second-class citizen.
There are. still far too many Her
man Talmadges, both South
and North, who bitterluy resist
democracy and are determined
TO prevent its fulfillment by every
possible obstructionable means.
You and I, therefore, cannot re-
lax our efforts nor waste any
time IN self congratulation. We
must scrupulously guard against
internal dessensions which would
r. axt0t1