The Problem of Integration

Third Group Views Integration Problem

by Charles L. Allen

Atlanta Constitution

(January 3, 1957)

            For several days we have been looking at the reasons why some white people want to maintain racial segregation and why some Negroes want integration. There is a third group to hear from. Why do some white people want integration? From my own correspondence I find six main reasons stated: (1) They believe that integration is certain to come and that it would be better to work out the various problems involved in a calm, intelligent, friendly manner than to fight against it.

            They maintain that integration is the law of the land and to reuse to accept it as such is like some who continue to fight the Civil War. They also believe that no race of people can forever be held in bondage, that study of history reveals that sooner or later a people will gain freedom.

            (2) Some white people believe in integration because they believe it is simple justice. They point out that Negroes in the U.S. Have equal responsibilities as citizens--they must obey the same laws, pay taxes, fight in defense of the country--and equal responsibilities call for equal opportunities and privileges.

            (3) Some white people believe in integration because they feel that our practice of segregation weakens our position in world affairs and robs us of our opportunity to provide moral and spiritual leadership for the world. They feel that the race question is a world question and that the peace and prosperity of the U.S. are dependent upon our being able to make and keep the friendship of the other nations of the earth.

            (4) With many integration is a matter of religious faith. They believe that the doctrine of the fatherhood of God carries with equal force the doctrine of the brotherhood of man. They maintain that the two are wings of the same bird and cannot be separated. They sing with John Oxeham: "Join hands, then, brothers of the faith--Whate'er your race may be--Who serves my Father as a son--Is surely kin to me'.

            (5) Many white people believe in integration because of their faith in the Negro race. They believe that, if given equal opportunities, negroes will be equally good citizens and equally fine people. They point to countless individual Negroes who represent the very highest in character, who render conspicuous service to the nation and world, who maintain their homes as beautifully as any people, who appreciate the finest things in life equally with any other race.

            (6) Some believe in integration because of the costs of segregation. They say that blighted housing areas and unsanitary living conditions hurt the entire city; that when a people is held back, the cost in crime, disease, ignorance, etc., is too high a price to pay; that Negroes would be a much greater asset to the nation economically and culturally if they were not segregated.

            Tomorrow we look at reasons some Negroes prefer segregation.

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posted 22 June 2008