Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1956-09-15
Talking Sense On The Race Problem
In Mississippi


During the past several days developments in the
school desegregation efforts in several states have
served to focus the attention of responsible citizens
everywhere the depth of feelings and emotions that
be aroused regarding the ISSUE yet nothing in this
great challenge to the individual states and to the
ton ustfes the conclusion that the Negro Citizens
solely responsible for these developments and therefore
should have every stumbling block put in their road to
continued progress.
From over in Ashville, North Carolina, the Ash
vile Times, of that states leading daes (white)
has forth with editorial calling upon all citizens
of the state to start talking about the prob
lem in their community and state, which we'll be
used as call for talking sense on the race problem
in Mississippi.
The Ashville Times Editorial says
1t is imperative now that responsible citizens ir-
respective of color creed talk about prob
lens in their communities and state In resolving this
crisis public schools it is vital to the honor peace
and of the state that there be mutual respect
goodwill and intelligent cooperation between white
and colored races.
In the promotion of these detectives it up to the
white people to lead the because the advantages of
economic and political power their side
Their first should be to do everything they
to Danish forever what is left of the cruel and absurd
notion that there could possibly be any stigma attached
to human being because of color other ply
steal characteristics The Creator never stgmatizes
anybody -.
The next step our white people should take to help
create wholesome climate for tolerance justice and
nterracia cooperation is to try to convince everybody
especially themselves, that in democratic America
citizens rights meted out basis of color creed
occupation education intelligence, wealth social po
ston Human dignity, freedom, justice and civil rights
ndivsble-all citizens must have them equally
ever be secure in them
All our people, coored and white, need also to under
stand the vast difference between civega rights and
personasocal privileges In the latter field discrmina
ton is not bad word evil practice. In per-
sonal affairs and social relationships all discriminate
and, indeed, must do so to get along.
In these relationships background color of skin and
other factors and frequently do make practical diff
ferences which must be considered Recognition of
such differences does not reflect anybody Difference
is not stigma not sin. 1t is natural and necessary
free society is full of differences and benefits
ousy from them.
1t is violently contradictory in free nation for
anyone insist that white supremacy" or any sort of
racial Supremacy that properly be part of
government is the supremacy of individual freedom
tce fair and equal treatment under law Interracia
conferences segregation problems that do not start
from the basis accomplish no lasting good.
History and our own experiences teach us that at
tempts to force the mixing of the in
of fe ignoring the customs and preferences of the peo
pie involved, are not only unreastic but dangerous.
Progress in these field must slowly and naturally
by mutual acceptance the great gains already achev
ed could suffer setback be lost altogether
For instance, the largest public swimming pool in
the Ashevie area has just been abandoned and
Municipal Golf Course seems to be on the way out be-
leaders of white and coored citizens failed to
face up to realities and agree voluntary arrange
ment whereby both of these splendid facilities could
continue to this community It could be de-
cades even generations before the colored people of
most communities could afford their own private rec
reatonal facilities.
tary basis white and coored citizens have their
cake and eat it too in public school, public recreation
in their churches and in many other fields
Because Negro citizens minority group
with relatively little political or economic power they
would be severely penazed in the private enterprise"
developments in all the fields under discussion
Our white citizens have delayed much too long in
sharing policy making responsibilities in civic educa-
onal and governmental affairs with colored fellow ct
zens For instance the for public school segrega
ton is greatly weakened without proper Negro repre-
sentation school boards and commissions.
The best insurance for segregated public school
system, voluntarily maintained would be Indignation on
the official level giving Negroes proportionate voice
in the operation of separate schools which most of
them sincerely the whites genuinely desire Fur
thermore there should be proper ratio of Negro rep
resentaton the official level in other governmental
agencies, local and state
We appeal to Negro citizens to cooperate in
voluntary segregation in the mentioned here not
only to promote general peace and progress in North
Carolina but for their sake It must be obvious
them that II undue pressure is applied to force racial
Indignation ip these sensitive fields in the months and
years just ahead enormous damage could and would be
done to public service institutions and facilities