Arizona sun., 1961-09-21
Atlanta & Dallas
School IntegratioIl
Show Maturity


regation of public schools in two
major southern cities = Atlanta
and Dallas was hailed this
week by NAACP Executive Secre-
tary Roy wilkins as IAN indication
that the more stable elements in
southern communities have decid-
ed to take control of the situation.
Mr.. Wilkins also paid tribute to
''the vital but little publicized
role of the NAACP branches in
these cities in effecting the change
over from segregated to non-se-
gregated systems of public educa-
ton.
1.-THE pioneer role the NAACP
played in establishing the illegality
of racial segregation in public edu-
cation is we'll known" he asserted.
However, the painstaking, ungla-
morous hard work done by the
Atlanta and Dallas branches in
rallying support for desegregation.
in explaining the terms of the
desegregation plans to parents,
and in persuading applicants to
apply for transfers to formerly all
white schools has been quietly per-
formed with little public notice.
But without it, the plan in both
cities may well have failed for
want of applicants for transfers. "
It now appears, the NAACP
leader pointed out, 'that ma major
city in the South is willing to
risk the experiences of Little Rock
and Newt Orleans. The responsible
business elements in southern Gle
ties have at last realized the DAM
age desegregation violence inflicts
upon the prestige and economy
of their cities. They seem deter
mined to keep the local hOodlum
elements under control"
Further, he observed, not only
has desegregation in 1861 been
achieved without violence in a
score of southern cities, but much
of it has been the result of v0lun-
teer action without the necessity
of specific court orders. In at
least IA communities. local school
boards voluntarily initiated deseg-
regation programs.
While pleased with the peaceful
aspect of 1861 desegregation, and
with the breakthrough against long
tradition, Mr.. wilkins noted, the
! INAACP is ''far from satisfied with
the continued token quantity of
desegregation. We will not be sat-
listed with the continued token
quantity of desegregation. We will
not be satisfied as long as the
vast majority of school children
of both races continues to attend
segregated schools. Total integra-
ton is not enough for us, for white
children, or for the country"
In Atlanta, the NAACP branch,
under leadership of its president,
IDr. Samuel w. Williams, organ
lied and conducted the campaign
of Interpretation and recruitment
essential to the implementatiOn OF
the school boards plan. Aiding the
branch in this campaign were
Amos C. Holmes, NAACP field
secretary, Dan Byrd of New Or
leans, and Miss June Shagaloff OF
the New York office. Only nine
Negro students were admitted to
four white" high schools in that
city.
Similar quiet, effective work
Twas carried on in Dallas where
the branch established a special
education committee under the
chairmanship of Rev. Rhett
James. Mrs. M. A. Flanagan is
president of the branch. Assisting
the branch officers in the cam
paign were Clarence A. Laws, the
! Associations Southwest regional
director.
The pre-School opening and edu-
cational and recruitment program
was carried on by the branch.
The complicated requirements for
transfers were explained to par
ents by team of NAACP work.
ers. Parents of eligible children
we're urged to apply for trans
fers. Of some 200 who indicated
Interest in filing for transfers only
67 were apparently eligible and
of this number only Is were
actually enrolled in previously