St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-04-22
PhiIIy Judge In
Praise Of CitY's
Neqro Population

Negro Population
Philadelphia, Pa Judge J. Sgd
ney Hoffman Of the Municipal
Court Of Philadelphia, was a guest
on The Frank Ford Show" recent
ly. During the discussion. a listen
er phoned in and asked the Judge
What is the crime rate among
Juvenile delinquents as far as race
and color are concerned ," The fol-
lowing is the jurists answer:
Il will have to compose myself
for a moment because this is the
favorite question of bigots, racists,
and people who are completely in
tolerant. will give you this an
swer:
"Of course, there is more ju-
venile delinquency among the Ne
groes than is among the white kids.
What did you anticipate?
Here are people who for 300
years have been debased, have been
prosecuted, spat upon, and branded
as third class citizens. They have
lived in communities where they
haven't had the opportunity to live
like normal Americans should live
They lived in communities
where there was no marriage sac
rament. They lived in communities
where if they killed people of their
own race, they were not molested
or arrested.
They have lived in commmi-
ties where they did not have job
opportunities, social equality or the
opportunities of going to school.
of course, when they come into
Philadelphia they will commit more
crimes, but it is not because they
are more animalistic.
1T is not because they are more
criminalist, but it is because these
people just never had an opportun-
ity.
And let me tell you Mr.. Man,
whOsOever you are, that these
people II they are given the
same opportunity as the white
man; when they are given job
opportunities and proper hOus-
ing; when they are given the
dignity that should be accorded
to every American citizen, they
are going to behave the same as
everybody else, and believe you
me, 1t Is not because they are
Negroes that they are commit
ting crimes.
Il think II Is un-American
on a great, wonderful race who
has produced a Marian Ander-
son, a Judge HASTE, a Judge
Alexander and Ralph Bunche, to
mention but a few of its outstand-
ing citizens
Given the same opportunity
they have exactly the same mind,
the same intellect, the same po-
tential, and the same decency, and
I think it is about time that we as
decent American citizens divorce
ourselves of the idea that we are
dealing with an inferior race.
They are just as fine, they are
just as wonderful as anybody else,
and
II think 1t Is un-American
and it's unCiviliZed for anybody
to PROFOUND a question like this
for the purpose Of inspiring race
hatred.
IAN can say is this: am
proud to know my colored assoc
iates.
Il see thousands of them in the
City Of Philadelphia, a lot Of won
derfu decent, law-abiding Amer
leans and Philadelphians.
They are a great credit to
the City, and l am proud that
am able to work with my col
league Judge Sparkling, and
these other magnificent people
who are making great and won
derful contributions.
The Negro should be given the
dignity and recognition as first
class citizens which is their in
alienable birthnght-
They do not need tolerance;
they need much more than that
They need understanding, sym,
pathy and love.
They need a brotherly com.
paubility, and most Of all they
need us to treat them as one Amer,
lean should treat another.
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