Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-02-27
Negro Minnesofons
Continue Progress
Despite Obstacles

Despite Obstacles
tConiianed from Page -
jeots which IL much discussed
land Is problem that needs
somr type II legislation 10 halt
such unfair discrimination in
Minnesota.
The closed ard raciaiiy and
Honetimes religious restricted
housing practices which have
grown ~ IN oar state. cost the
members N minority groups not
only Intense humiliation. forcing
many ~ them 10 live under unde.
mfable circumstances. but II causes
great economic waste unoug a
group N people aho can IN afford
Il.
High and average income Negro
families in order 10 secure even
fair housing often must pay prem
lun rates Of 10 10 20 per cent
more than their white fellow citi
gems seeking housing OF the aame
price level
In defending their practices tho
real estate Industry reiigioualy has
spread the story That preaencn 81
Negroes IA an area Immediately
deprceiataa property value This
naturally often causes racial re-
sentiment and panic among the
average white family whose home
il often its chief lifetime inyeat
mtnt
Some real estate operators Ne.
gro ga welt aa white have rsaped
ozhorbitant profits off tho panic
of white families who are told
warned that the eneiEhborhood il
changing and Induced them 81
panic selling ~ homes "a a loss
which are then sold 10 Negro fam
liiea FOR hihed prices
We have used a great deal %
space on the housing situation
because legislative action should
i,~ taken Ia combat the prnhien.
Generally race relations IN Min
nes0ta are better today than ever
before IN most AREAS Acgro"s hold
more responsible and important
i0ha than ever before There n a
broadening ~ the base ~ those
Interested In developing more ops
portuniy for ali people including
the Negro
Church groupa Ia Minnesota are
more aware ~ their duty 10 pracv
tee brotherhood every day In the
year Church Indignation pruoerds
SLOWLY bat The members ~ inter
racial congregations are incream
ing ana even In thbae white and
Negro churches who have no integ
ratlon the opposition 10 " ~ small
and not influential
Church memhership continues
IT, increase according 10 pastors
~ various r9in City charges
81 James AMT church. pioneer
Minneapolis congregation recently
dedicated new building and a
Gospel Temple church No 2 was
opened ~ q converted theatre hY
rev aud Mrs W 1. Battle IN
Minneapolis
re pnuis piiFttm Baptist
ehueth continues "a attract attrn
tiun by its social action program
and the increasing national stature
uf ita dynamite pastor ur tloyd
Massey. Ir
The win 1T the iaie . v. John
son h said 10 hayr bcgueaihed
sim detailing over $4,000 90
81 Iamea AMr church In ~
ranl
In Minneapolis = confirmation
class n ~ persons was reported
~ 81, Lnouarda Catholic church
Negro tabor union members are
beginning we are told - take
fnnre interest Ia the business and
operation II various unions Theirs
are atm trade unions Ia the Twin
tltlns who have iily white member
ahip policies bat they are FEW IL
number
Organized labor In tho Twin
Citlca l. aew conducting annual
" Human Relations Institute
IN which -arh matters ~ Open
Occupancy are fully discussed
Tho state An. CIo Tor example
Is officially on rvrotd Cor Open
Occupancy" legislation.
or greAt import has hecn ms
Increased interest Il tho Negrc
community ia THRIFT and savings
An ~ the hanks and savings ans
loan associations have noted al
increaaa N Negro 1epoaitors ans