St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-10-16

MISS burroughs, WHO has II
years, pointed out three specific
causes Of the present race crisis
in America - unchristian prac-
tees, undemocratic attitudes and
un Constitutional application Of
the laws.
Slow Improvement
Race relations have improved
slowly in this country, she said.
because of a lack of understand
ing. She charged the American
public with developing what ap-
pears to be a silent" policy on the
subject and there is a hush and
hands off understanding from the
White House to Congress and from
Mississippi to Delaware"
Without definite action, the
speaker continued, the world takes
for granted that these citizens
and organizations have simply
spelled out their position. Two OF
the great Baptist bodies have
taken fortnight positions on the
blems, but augmentation
words must become flesh, in order
to show the people of both races
what those words mean.
Bias Hurts Both Races
Miss Burroughs pointed out that
both races are hurt in this system
of segregation, but the Negro
catches the brunt of the blow"
AS the first step in attempting
to solve the problem, the conven
ton president suggested a con
ference where white and Negrt
leaders could sit down and MAJ
out the way to progress. Thi'
suggestion, offered last year a
the Chicago convention, is abou
to materialize. Miss Burroughs ha!
been carrying on a series of pre-
liminary correspondence to thi
effect, and announced the idea ha!
been endorsed by National Baptis
/ leaders and the conference will b,
held before Jan. l.
She mentioned the ''heartbreak
ing scenes" on American streets
and challenged the Christian min
istry and the Church member will
the responsibility of tackling thes,
problems. She claimed the best o
America slums are worse thai
Rome was at her lowest. But thes,
conditions cannot be corrected b,
placing the blame on someone else
by passing by on the other sid
of the street, by moving away, o
by simply talking about conditions
Masses Must Be Reached
The Negro masses can an
must be reached, enlightened, en-
listed, challenged and inspired,
she emphasized. "All of this tai
about race progress is only whist
ling in the dark to keep ava
guests. 1t is clarifying the petit
done and ignoring the vast un
done.
TT is the responsibility @
teachers, parents and race leader
to show some vision, intelligence
interest and deep concern for tn
people" the speaker continued
These people must unite in
down-to-earth plan and program
which will not only awaken Ne
groes all over this nation, but wi
challenge America to assume fu
responsibility for proving what
democracy can do If and when tn
leaven is put in the whole lump.
AS a means Of improving cor
ditions within the race, Miss Bul
roughs suggested the establish
ment Of Idle Hour Work Shops
for young people. II Christians {
this country would underwrit
such workshops, they would pa
in human dividends.
Scores Glasses"
The main causes Of the preser
condition Of the masses are "ff
norance, lethargy and indiffel
ence." The major cause Of the III
toward conditions Of the race
inside the race, she charged. 81
scored the so-called classes" IL
} their lack of concern and the
unwiringness to help establis