Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-02
School Hearings

indignation could possibly stop
investigating long enough to
review the facts, they will find
they have already proven be-
yond a shadow of doubt that
there has never been, and
never will be, "a separate but
equal school system"
This is what they are trying
to prove, is 1t not?
Beatrice E. M. Short.
The problems resulting from
any social change are unique
in their own character. The
facility with which the change
is ccomplis h e d depends
greatly on the ability of the
people concerned to effectively
view these problems, and hav-
ing seen them clearly, together
to work out the solution. No
puzzle was ever solved by hid
ing it. Mr.. Williams of the
school board will have to real
ize that.
In September, 1854, the FIRST
year of Indignation OF Wash
ington schools, was serving
as student council president
for Theodore Roosevelt High.
1t is my purpose to state here
just two Of the actions taken
by Principal Wells to prepare
the school for a smooth transit
ton from that of segregated
classes to that of integrated
classes.
l. The previous June, follow
ing the Supreme Court deci-
sion, there were several teach
ers who, fearing the change
and its unforseeable conse-
quenceS. wished to retire. Such
action, taken as it would have
been on a wholesale level,
would have greatly upset the
entire school, depressing and
demoralizing the faculty, and
arousing resentment within the
student body. But the teachers
did not quit. Mrs. Wells per-
suaded them that school would
go on as usual, and that good
faith being shown by everyone
would allow for smooth tran
Sition.
2. That September, while
Tech and other schools pro-
duced demonstrations, Roose-
welt remained calm. Mrs. Wells
met with the student leaders,
and set the example of helpful
co : operation. The student
leaders followed Mrs. Wells
example. There were no dem
onstrations.
I do not think those were
the actions of person try
ing to "hinder indignation"
Nor are they the actions of a
person unable to cope with
the problems" Rather they
were actions both forceful and
positive taken by an able ad-
ministrator in a strange and
new situation. Mrs. Wells can
not be criticized for enumerat-
ing the problems resulting
from Indignation. She was
asked; she answered. To do
otherwise would have been i'm
possible.
That these problems can be
solved. and in fact are being
solved, is evident. AS long as
school leaders are willing to
face UP to the problems, ac-
cept them as part Of this ire
mendous and long overdue So
cial upheaval, and without
shame come to grasp with
them, they will continue to be
solved until in time they will
cease to exit.
Stanley s. Smith,
Former President, Student
Council, Theodore Roose-
welt High School.
II occurs to many parents
in my neighborhood. that the
Washington newspapers are
not being fair in their appar-
emit assumption that nobody
except prosegregationists APP
prove the current school in
vestigation.
If the probe we're not under
way. many persons at this mo-
ment would be plaguing the
Board Of Education about the
low achievements Of our school
children.
Children in former Division
2 (Negro) schools derived from
their school system what was
given them by Negro admins
traitors and teachers. II they
Jagged in achievement. that
was no fault OF white people.
There were crowded schools in
both divisions: there were old.
dilapidated schools in both
divisions.
1t was Negro leaders who
pushed for In iediate integra-