The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-04-16
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MANTEO NEGRO VOICES
VIEWS ON SEGREGATION
To The Editor:

To The Editor:
Just today I had the good for
tune to be given a paper from
my home town, namely, "The
Coastland Times" This paper
was given me by a hometown
boy that is stationed near me.
You have no idea how glad was
to come across your paper after
having to spend two years out
here in the Islands.
The main reason l am writing
is in response to a portion OF
your editorial that appeared in
the March 5, 1854 edition of your
paper entitled, Surely, Negroes
must be disguised too" Basical-
ly I have to disagree with Mr..
Clayton Rand's ideas in part and
wish to express my opinion on
this matter. Over the years and
in the many places have visited,
I've been singing the praises of
how the negro and white people
live in Manteo in harmony and
peace. Actually most northerners
question my statements on this
subject and cease to believe me.
I think the basic living conditions
of our small community as to
neighborly harmony should be
patterned by good many more
1,aor,1a in America
The Times having printed Mr..
Rand's ideas on such matter,
I'm sure will be more than glad
to print a hometown boys ideas
on this subject:
"A NEGRO'S PRIVATE
THOUGHTS
MANY the time l have asked
myself, what would happen If
the Supreme Court of the United
States would make a law ending
segregation in the South, both in
the public schools and in trans
portation. This is a question I'm
sure, many more serious thinking
people have asked themselves. OF
the many ones of us who have
been confronted with such a
question, we always come up
with the same answer each time.
That answer is as always and
forever will be, II don't know, /
wonder" Many of us wonder II
that day would be like the one in
which the Negro was freed from
slavery, after the novelty had
worn off he did not know what to
do with himself. The only an
swer to this question I'm sure IS
to try those thoughts put them
in realities and see what would
happen. The Southern Negro has
come long way since slavery,
and in doing so has proved him
self not only a good citizen, but
likewise a good neighbor. The
majority of us are ready for the
changes that are sure to come,
but the rest of us still need more
teaching, coaching and training
in the acceptance of these things.
Suddenly exposing the Southern
Negro to these things he and the
rest of his brothers are fighting
for would defeat both the Ne
gro's ambitions and those that
are in sympathy with US.
"No one knows better than the
southerner himself the needs and
wants of the negro. If the pres
sure groups both north and south
that are pressing for the goal OF
"All or nothing at ALL" would get
together with the other groups
and work together, many bar
rier could be smoothed and turn
ed into a paved road towards the
many other problems today for
from being solved.
"On the other hand the negroS
wishes have been fed through q
long handle spoon so long until
he wonders when the spoon Will
disappear and gradually become
a reality instead of dream. Inc
average Negro today is convinced
that segregation is a thing OF the
past and should be done away
with to a certain extent simply
because his convictions are that
he is equal to anyone else and
the Constitution of the United
States gives him the right. He
disbelieves in segregation ana
somewhat goes along with classl-
fication. His beliefs are, If man
has the ability to hold a job ne
should have it, if he has the mon
ey and his social standings are
acceptable, he should be given
the right to buy in any neigh,
borhood he chooses. Also send
his children to the schools that
are within that area.
There are many things that
could not be accomplished excep'
by laws enforcing them, there
are things that unless our law
makers came into the picture
could not be brought about
Those things I'm sure are IN tne