Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-04
Advancement Groups

y. w. 6OWIGS IeGCCI, Ill IIlc UIud1y
10 issue Of The Star. relative to the
recent school board incident. proves
very Informative. For a number Of
people were not aware Of the existence
of the National Association for the Adj
vancement of White People. To some
that wordy designation no doubt seems
ironical, because an overwhelming
number of the predominant citizenry
are already advanced. Proof Of this
is seen in the desire of minority
racial group. called "colored people," to
advance. This is another instance of
emulation: and fact attested by the
effective service of the National Asso-
citation for the Advancement of Colored
People in a telling direction-a course
calculated to directly raise the civic,
social, educational and economic status
of the Negro and other darker
highest interest Of the Nation.
To me it seems regrettable that there
should ever have existed the necessity
for either of the above named organi-
cations. For, would not an overall
association, dedicated to the mutual
and equal advancement Of all the
American citizens, regardless Of color.
have supplied the desired needs? There
is no room for uncalled-for dissension
in America. Our country has never
suffered an irreparable tear of the ma
tional fabric. And no good thinking
people anticipate such rent, either
from within or from without. Be this
as it may, the citizens of our COM
munities, like members of families
and assuredly the human family-must
strive to remain intact, particularly in
these perilous times, in order to aid in
protecting, preserving and perpetuating
their avowed theology; and thus give
proof Of their desire for a better. if
not new, world.
I believe that individuals of sound
intellectual and inspired thinking will
confirm this statement. For the crux
of the whole matter. as vitality concerns
US, as citizens of the community and
the Nation. is. we must live together.
learn together, love together. work to-
gether-and If expedient. fight and die
together in the cause Of right and
justice.
John Sinclair Perry, M. d.
In The Star of February Is an edi-
torlal, For Advancement" calls atten-
ton to the recently organized National
Association for the Advancement of
White People, and suggests that the
real purpose is not to advance white
people but to appeal to prejudice in
the form of resentment against the
National Association for the Advance
ment of Colored People.
You seem to be on very firm ground
in supposing that the NAAWP is in
tended not really to advance" white
people, but to oppose and, to some
extent, neutraliZe the propaganda and
pressure activities of NAACP. But why
does it become prejudice only when
white people form a pressure group Of
their own? No doubt all pressure groups
are objectionable; but, most unfortu-
nately. in this country they seem also
to be inevitable. Why is a pressure
group to promote the interests Of white
people more Objectionable or more an
appeal to prejudice than an analogous
one representing colored persons?
This correspondent does not know
The Stars attitude toward NAACP;
but your editorial seems to indicate a
more friendly or, at least, a much
more tolerant attitude toward it than
toward NAAWP. May not this in itself
be an indication of how effective
propaganda has been, and that
an antidote might do no real harm?
Darwin Monroe.
Once again The Star has shown itself
to be eminently fair. After giving the
so-called National Association for the
Advancement of White People. Inc. a
substantial news spread" The Star
has come right back in it's editorial
columns to criticize NAAWP as an or
ganization whose obvious detectives are
to capitalize on prejudice.
AS one with some slight personal
knowledge of this group I want to con-
graduate you. The Star certainly called
the shot on this outfit.
MidweSterner.