St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1958-04-25
81. Paul Minister

ourselves) a basic right, and ccn-
tinuing Cby this means) a virtual
segregation in our schools as well,
in defiance Of the spirit Of not
the letter. Of the Supreme Courts
Edict, calling for indignation"
MY friends continued Mr.
Foote, 1T is a soul-destroying
thing 10 be for something in
principle. but against it in prac-
tice. The most damning indict-
ment Of the Church is always that
its principles are glorious but so
largely unimplimented. The Church
is all for Brotherhood and Peace
and Justice.
But these words by their very
smoothness lack all specific con-
tent and become soothing syrup for
troubled consciences. Noble talk
in generaHties can be cheap sub
stitutes for fortnight action in
concrete situations. It has al
ways ben easier 10 contribute
money and used clothing to mis-
sionary efforts in far places, than
to have concern for neighbOrs
near at hand, and about evils at
ones own doorstep D.
Bringing the City Councils ap-
parent refusal TO consider the open
occupancy ordinance in its hop
per the past year, Mr.. Foote as
serted Il do not know whether
at this time the open occupancy
ordinance is a dead duck" or not
Obviously, the politicians think
it hot potato. There are pow
erful forces in the city which have
thus far successfully blocked its
being placed on the agenda of the
City Council. And there are those
who sincerely question the con-
stitutionality of the ordinance.
Though personally am strong
ly in favor of the ordinance, and
am ready to do whatever 1 can to
help secure its passage, l do not
think we ought to wait another
day before mobilizing our re-
sources here in Unity Church in
order to work quietly, maturely,
and cOurageOusly to aid RESPONSE
BILE Negro families who are be-
ing displaced by the Freeway to
find satisfactory housing outside
the ghetto -.
ITO this end, we have requested
the Board Of Trustees to set up
a Relocation Committee whose
function it will be to assist spec
ific Negro families who desire
to move out Of the ghetto yet ex-
perience difficulty in doing so.
1T shall work with realtors and
builders to find decent homes in
pleasant environments for these
Negro families. II shall call upon
Unitarians, and other church folk
to help assure a friendly recep-
ton to such families as may
move into their neighborhoods.
what we launch today may
prove Of limited usefulness and
short duration. More hopefully,
IL may prove a workable way
to encourage residential integra-
tion, and will set n pattern
other churches and other COM
munities win want to follow.
Which of these two win II be ?"
Mr.. Foote'S challenge came as
the climax of many hours of dis
cussion and investigation by the
Community and Social Projects
Committee of Unity Church. Many
Of our city's better qualified lead
ers in the housing and social well
fare fields were invited to address
this committee including f. Warn
er Shippee, director of st. PauPs
housing and redevelopment author
ity.
One important aspect of this
program not touched upon by Mr..
Foote, is the practical value that
such a movement will have in that
realtors-who comprise the great
est resistance to open occupancy
legislation-will be called upon to
enact these principles. If they
cooperate, the principle Of open oc-
cupancy will become a practice:
II, on the other hand they fail
to cooperate, they will have de-
feated their reasons for opposing
the legislation and at the same
time provide for our legislators
sufficient evidence for the enact
ment Of legislation.
Congregational reaction was I'M
snimous in its approval of the SER
mon and the committees plan OF
action.