Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-20
THE MIDDLE ROADER
We Con Live With the Decision


school, the Negro child and his
parents are much more likely to
choose the mixed school. But II
the Negro school is as good as
the white school. they probably
will prefer the Negro school.
A number Of other factors will
tend to keep the schools segre-
gated in the absence of legal COM
pulsion. One Of the most pow
erful is the inadequacy Of present
school plant facilities. Most
schools are overcrowded to the
extent that 1t would be physically
impossible to admit additional pu-
pills to them in any large number.
Another factor is that of resi-
dence. Most children. whether
white or Negro. attend schools
which are nearest their homes.
This practice probably will con-
tinue, at least in the cities.
Then, too. the Negroes have a
vested interest in their schools.
The faculties, the administrative
officials, the students and the
Negro community have gained a
great deal through the develop
ment of fine Negro schools. They
will not relinquish these gains
lightly. provided they can keep
them with honor and pride.
The Southern States would be
wise to follow the flexible policy
OF permitting each Of their city
and county school boards to deal
with the problem in its own way.
Then those counties and cities
which do not feel that they can
permit any Negro children to at
tend schools with white children
can hold the line against de-
segregation until forced to act
by court order.
Some cities and counties may
prefer to comply with the courts
decision voluntarily. In that way
local authorities can determine
where and when and under what
circumstances desegregation is TO
begin. Where a gradual approach
is needed. these are important
considerations.
Loss Of initiative
School officials who delay action
,,,.4s1 aR- f~4.tad NTH q oOtfrt nrdaY.
to desegregate lose the initiative
for making policy decisions on the
matter. The plaintiff who files a
suit against the school board be-
comes a more powerful influence
in this aspect Of school manage
ment than the school board itself.
Why should not each school
board be permitted to follow its
own judgment. even If 1t means
admission OF some Negro children
TO some previously all white
schools?
No matter how many Negro
children attend schools with white
children. social patterns which
have governed relations be-
tween the races should not be
expected to change. If there is
any change. it will be slow.
The best evidence of that is
to be found in those States
where there is. and has been. no
legal segregation Of the races in
the public schools. The courts can
force the removal Of legal barriers
to Negroes. but the courts cannot
dictate the social practices of the
people. Social behavior is mat
ter of individual choice.
The social forces which brought
about and have preserved a segre-
gated society in the South re-
main in effect. These forces will
work to keep schools segregated.
law or no law. They are strongest
and will have the greatest intiu-
ence in those places which are
most opposed to desegregation.
Could Be Self Detecting
Defiance of the Supreme Court
decision is likely to be self-defeat-
ing. II may speed the breakdown
of segregation. II threatens the
destruction of the public schools.
II foments inter-racial friction,
The greatest stumbling blocks
in the path of satisfactory solu-
ton of the Souths problems in
race relations are impotence on
the part of Negroes and fear on
the part of whites. The harder
Negroes push to establish the
rights which are theirs under the
Constitution, the greater will be
the resistance of whites to change
in the status quo.
The Southern whites fears of
the consequences of letting down
racial bars may be irrational and
groundless. but they are nonethe-
less real they cannot be lightly
dismissed in any effort to bring
about peaceful evolution toward
society in which all men do in
deed enjoy the equal protection
of the laws.
The challenge before the South's
leaders-white and Negro--is to
find a way to convince their peo-
pie that calm, rational acceptance
OF the Supreme Court decisions
will serve their interests best--no
matter what those interests may
be. The accomplishment Of this
objective will require intelligence,
tact, patience and restraint on the
....A - 10TH ~naAs