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Blacks, Unions, & Organizing in the South, 1956-1996

A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY

Compiled by Rudolph Lewis

 

 

Intermarriage a No-No

 

Intermarriage Fear Bolsters Segregation

By Charles L. Allen

Atlanta Constitution

(January 1, 1957)

 Yesterday I mention five reasons why some white people insist on maintaining racial segregation: economic competition, fear of Negro control of the local government, desire to maintain a servant race of people, inferiority complex, resistance to any social change. There are three other reasons why some believe in segregation:

            (6) Some believe the Negro race actually is inferior to the white race and they do not want to live on an equal level with them. They do not feel the negro has equal mental ability with the white man, that the Negro has moral, or spiritual principles as high, that physically he is as clean as the white man or that in any way the negro race is equal to the white race.

Those who believe thus feel it would contaminate them to associate as equals with Negroes. (While I have not indicated either approval or disapproval with any of the reasons stated above, I must go on record here. I do not believe that any one race is either inferior to or superior to any other race. I believe persons of all races are children of the same Father.)

            (7) Some white people insist on segregation because they fear intermarriage. Their reasoning: If children go to school together, they will participate in athletics and social events together. If they go to parties and play together, it is possible young persons of different races will become romantically attracted to each other. If so, marriage is the logical result. If so, then 'half-breed' children will be born. This line of reasoning, whether it be false reasoning or not, drives some parents to great fear and strong resistance to any change in the customs of segregation.

            (8) Some insist on segregation not because they have any prejudice toward the negro as a race or as a person, but because they sincerely believe that all races are better off segregated.

Many believe that each race has distinctive contributions to make to society and to the world and to break down their separation as races would cause humanity to lose much that is good.

These do not feel that one race is superior to another race, they simply feel the races are different in many ways--color of skin, emotional drives, mental and physical abilities, etc., and that to reduce the several parts of humanity into one homogeneous whole would cause the human race to lose much that is wholesome and good.

Perhaps my readers will suggest other reasons why some insist on segregation. But the point is this: No matter what our personal feelings are, we never arrive at satisfactory solutions until we better understand why we feel as we do. I list the above, not to say I either agree or disagree with them, but rather as a basis upon which to think more clearly.

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posted 22 June 2008

 

 

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Related files: Intermarriage a No-No       Who Wants Integration      The Problem of Integration      The Racial Problem