Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-15
Inteqrotion Debate

hysteria. bigotry, and hatred
displayed by far too many
white people when something
is mentioned or involves the
equalization. indignation or
assimilation Of Negroes as
Americans. Many glib state
ments are made to substan-
tiate their arguments. They
like to refer to the terrible
days Of the Reconstruction
with all its horrors and in
justices inflicted on the good
white people Of the South
because they dared fight for
what they believed as their
sacred Southern way Of life"
and any other change that
might destroy this precious
system.
What do these good people
expect from the Negroes who
must tolerate and live with
this way Of life" since its
very core has been tempered
to his presence? Under this
same system. he is required
TO pay Federal and State in
come taxes as any other
citizen. II he is fortunate
enough TO make enough
money. He is expected to pay
the required fare for trans
portation and be happy with
the back seat over the gas
fumes. He is expected to keep
a roof over his head when
housing considered for his
occupation is substandard
when the first nail is driven.
He is subject to draft in the
armed services and in time Of
war expected to fight for the
cause of freedom and justice.
He is expected to be educated
in spite Of the many de-
ficiencies Of the school sys-
TEN. He is expected to feel
proud that he is an American
when the National Anthem
is sung or when the Pledge
to the Flag" is recited. He Is
expected to work and rear a
family and keep them of the
relief rolls in spite Of pitiful
salaries. He is even expected
TO like and love the good
white people and be content
with his lot in this way Of
life" Gas Senator Russell and
others say they are when in
many cases a white man is
a law unto himself when 1t
involves a Negro. In the face
of all this. far too much is
expected. This kind Of hui
initiation would not be toler-
ated by the average white
citizen. nor does he like it
when his European brothers
are subjected in like manner.
They are eager to extend a
helping hand to the oppressed
people OF Europe. II is EVIL
denced by such noble cam
paigns as the Crusade for
Freedom" Dollars for
Truth" Voice of America"
care" Government spon-
sored refugee relief and mass
immigration.
The same kind OF UNDER
standing should be practiced
here at home in order to con-
vince some Of our citizens
that Negroes aspire TO the
same kind Of ideals and
would like to be permitted"
to enjoy them.
Laura L. BeliOt.
II is strange how the press
and radio either are con-
fused over the relationship OF
the Negro and the white peo-
pie OF the South. or are I'M
willing to accept the truth
because OF the politics in
volved. Assuming the entire
reason for their stand is po-
litical, II is appalling to those
who would like TO have the
best qualified people. both
morally and mentally. TO
head their Government. to
see the shrewd politicians
willing to sacrifice principle
for their own selfish goals.
II is unfortunate that
those from the North and
West who feel they are do
ing the Negro a service in
their legislative endeavor,
are really doing them. as well
as the white people. more
harm than good. Since the
press and radio. probably
without intent. are firing ha-
tired between the races, they
should begin to let the PEN
dulum swing the other way
In order TO counterbalance
the harm they have done.
/ think II is time for the
FBI to investigate the NAACP
from its infancy. / imagine
there is a lot Of houseclean-
ing to be done,
Allie Stenfer.
The majority of Americans
realize the injustice being in
flicted upon our Negro popu-