St. Paul recorder., 1963-10-24
ISSUES: GOOD
AND BAD
BY P. L. PRATTIS


Is there a difference between
what Is RIGHT and what Is WISE
and PRUDENT, or TACTICAL. t?
This question comes often TO mind
in these days when Negroes and a
burgeoning new leadership enter
the lists determined to win FREE
DOM NOW.
No Negro can take exception to
the goal or goals. But there is al
ways room in such a large minori-
'ty as the American Negro to ques-
hon decisions made by an evoly-
ing, frOnt-hne leadership. There Is
no leader, white, black, green or
brown, who can be trusted to make
the proper decision in every sttla-
tfon. There is always room for er-
ror and criticism Of the error In
the decision should not reflect on
the overall usefulness of the lead
er.
The foregoing Is the IntrOduc-
ton to my criticism Of the de-
cisiOn made by Mrs. Gloria Rich
ardsOn who has so valiantIy led
the Negroes Of Cambridge, Md,
in their struggle for the rights
Of first-class citizens.
Mrs. Richardson thinks and sees
clearly, but 1t is necessary, consld-
ering the foe against whom we
contend, to do more than to think
through to what stands the test of
reason. There Is a point where
judgment, good judgment, may
take over and seek 10 impose wis
dom over the dictates Of reason.
The so-called power structure
(whfte) in Cambridge, Maryland,
sought through a referendum to
win support for a resolution to
break down barriers in places of
public accommodation in Cam
bridge.
Mrs. Richardson stood intran-
sigently against participating in
the referendum. She argued right
ly and reasonably that Negroes
ought not bo have to vote all over
again for rights which are guar
anteed under the federal constitu-
ton.
Her position, based on law,
morality, or whatnOt, is and was
unassaiIable. But was 1t based
on good Judgment? Was her de-
cisiOn WISE, PRUDENT, or
TACTICALLY SMART? I think
not.
The referendum lost by a small
margin. There were enough Negro
votes in Cambridge to have put
the referendum over and to have
put white leadership ON the spot
to see that the terms Of the refer
endum resolution became the fu-
ture practice in public accomoda-
tions in Maryland.
The position taken by Mrs.
Richardson, was RIGHT and
supported by REASON. But it
was ACADEMIC and not PRAG-
MATTC. 1t had the effect Of
muffing a chance to put the ad-
Versary on the defensive. 1t muf-
fed the chance of providing an
opportunity for serious and sin
cere communication b. tween
Mrs. Richardson and other lead
erS in the city.
1t seems to me that Mrs. Rich
ardson might have said to herself: /:
IT don't like this referendum. My
guaranteed rights should not be
put up again to the will of the
people or the mob. But, just the
same, If I and other Negroes vote
affirmatively, we will have put
another block in the way of our
adversaries. We will have, by local
action, opened places Of public ac-
commodation, to all citizens Of our
community, and we will have es-
tabhshed a relationship with the
rest of the community whereby we
can tackle problems Of employ
ment, housing, etc. I think we
should let them know that they
are not kidding us with this refer
endum ghost, but We'll go for it to
improve our TACTICAL position.
That is what seems WISE and
PRUDENT 10 me-"
And she might have added that
INTRANSIGENCE is not a diplo-
matte tool.