Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-28
School Records
DR.. Thomas Mattingly's I

terest in civic affairs, as
evidenced by his numerous
letters to the editor. is highly
commendable. An acute aware
ness and sensitivity to the
problems Of our times and a
desire to help solve them
represent true tests Of good
citizenship.
We who express opinions.
however, should be ever
vigilant that we accord to
those whose statements we
judge the same degree of
objectivity and fairness that
we would seek under similar
circumstances.
1t is quite evident that DR..
Mattingly's Interpretation Of
the statements made by Mrs.
Ruth B. Spencer. newly app
pointed member Of the School
Board. regarding the UNI
solicited keeping Of racial rec
ordS by some teachers. is some
what fallacious and completely
out of context.
Closer examination Of the
text will reveal that it was not
the keeping Of records per sc
that formed the basis of her
complaint but rather that the
act itself was done in direct
contravention to board policy
which specifically forbade its
commission.
No one, white or Negro,
should fear statistics any more
than he would fear truth itself.
Statistics compiled by edu-
Gators, sociologiSts and statis-
ticians whose minds have been
trained to interpret them are
essential to the evaluation of
any school program. It is only
when these figures are biased,
distorted and completely en-
veloped by an atmosphere of
fear, suspicion and hatred that
their actual value is lost.
To portray one-half of a
picture and completely obscure
the other as If it didn't exist is
unfair to the half represented
and dangerous in its implica-
lions to those who comprise
the hidden half-dangerous in
that it grants them a pseudo
license to believe that the half
that they have seen is actually
the whole.
Those who persist in be-
lieving that the color Of ones
skin is within itself q badge
OF inferiority as compared
with those whose hue may be
different are living in q world
completely devoid Of reality.
This vain fantasy is a luxury
which we in America can no
longer afford.
The few principals and
teachers lex and presently who
seemed to derive such sadistic
satisfaction in parading their
petty prejudices under the
guise and title Of the woes Of
integration" in the current
hearings should be reminded
that one of the basic tenets Of
democratic living is that all
individuals have worth"
The Board Of Education
would be wise indeed to re-
quire all teachers and prin-
ctpals to pursue q course in
human relations as q prereq-
llisite to further teaching in
our schools. This may aid in
the liberalization that where
there is q human being to be
taught--the important thing
is TO teach him. not record
the color Of his skin or indulge
in the fanciful conclusion that
his behavior is a natural con-
sequence of his race.
I personally feel sorry for
the children who are exposed
to these gross malpractitioners
of education.
Edna w. Mcclellan.
\ ~
In connection with the
school indignation dispute
many statistics have been
cited, mostly by segrega-
tionists. concerning the educa-
tiona1 achievements, health,
and moral behavior Of the
white and Negro races. How
much of the differences are
due to heredity and how much
are the results Of environment
are questions Of Importance
to the anthropologist. They
are quite irrelevant to the inn
mediate school problem.
The significant fact over
looked by so many Is that We
do not educate races: We
educate individual boys and
girls. Can we say to . prospee-
tive student, you cannot at
tend School A because more
Of your race fall below the ma
tiOnal norm? tShed 9 tear for
the statistician who drowned
IN . river having an average
depth Of only one foot.) To say,
You cannot attend School A