St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-08-28
Friends Publication
Reviews Roee &
Conscience In US,


Philadelphia 49, All Americans
North and South, are responsible
for the "large-scale humanity
we exhibit toward some citizens
it is said in a study released today
by the American Friends Service
Committee.
The 64-page booklet, Race and
Conscience in America, published
by the University of Oklahoma
Press, said, I'VE believe that a
moment of decision has now come
for each of us and for the nation.
America can be the America Of our
hopes. But a world in revolution
cannot wait. The American dream
must become a reality, and rapid
ly."
The report was prepared by a
special working party assembled
by the American Friends Service
Committee. It was asked to study
where we as a people stand in the
matter of race relations, to inquire
where we ought to be, and to pro-
pose methods Of bridging the gap"
The study warns of seven areas
of unfinished business in Amer
ica's race relations which must be
dealt with before the United States
can be in fact, "a land Of equal
opportunity" These include public
school desegregation, employment,
housing, public accommodations,
political participation, religion, dis
elimination in religious nsititu-
tions, and civil rights.
In an affirmation Of faith the
authors say that all men have
worth and dignity and hence mo
man may, with IMMUNITY, discrim-
mate against or exploit another.
And if the nature of man is
such as we have affirmed, then
nothing less than its full recogni-
ton, nothingless than the dignity
and respect due him simply be-
cause he is a man, can ever sat
isfy him." the report said.
In an optimistic vein the authors
expressed confidence that race re-
lations in America will reach the
stage when every man will be
measured by what he is and not
by his race, creed, color, or ma,
tionality. That day can be near il
we go forward with energy, faith
and knowledge"
The booklet analyses severa
myths used to justify slavery anc
present-day discrimination anc
segregation. Among the discount
ed theories are those which claim
that slavery benefited the Negro
plantation life was ideal, Negroe
did not want to be free, were ment
ally and morally unfit for freedom
and that slavery was good be
cause it gave Negroes the benefi
of the Christian religion.
An interracial group of Is per
sons comprised the working
party" which prepared Race ant
Conscience in America. They wer
B. Tart Bell, High Point, N. C.
Richard K. Bennett, Amber, Pa.
Philip Buskirk, Los Gatos, Calf.
Charles ]. Darlington, Woodstown
N. J.: G. James Fleming, Balti
more, Md; Frank S. Loescher
Philadelphia, Pa; James Mccain
Sumter, S. c.; Barbara w. Moi
felt, Merchantville, N. j.; Algie ]
Newlin, Guilford College, N. C..
w. Carson Ryan, Chapel Hill, N
c.: David H. Scull, Annandale, Va.
Phern Stanley, Atlanta, Ga; Nor
man ]. Whitney, Philadelphia, Pa.
and John w. Willard, Seattle
Wash.
The American Friends Servic,
Committee was founded by a groul
of Quakers in 1917 to relieve hu
man suffering and to find creativ
solutions to tensions between in
dividuals, groups, and nations. 1
works in more than a dozen count
ries besides the United States
The Committees work is open t
anyone, regardless Of religion, race
or nationality. The internationa
work is administered from its head
quarters in Philadelphia. Through
out the United States the work /
carried on by IL regional offices
Race and Conscience in Amer
lea is available at the nationa
office Of the American Friend
Service Committee, 20 South 12tl
Street, Philadelphia 7, Pa, for s
cents a copy.