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Walter
White to Franklin D. Roosevelt
Letter Requesting Support of FWP
& The White House Response
June 7th 1939
Hon Franklin D. Roosevelt
The White House
Washington, D.C.
My dear President Roosevelt:
I am very deeply concerned with the proposed
cuts in the W.P.A. arts projects, especially as they relate to
Negroes. While it is true that even on these projects the Negro
has encountered discrimination and has in few instances been
given representation in proportion to his numbers and needs, yet
they have been the source not only of employment but of the
digging out of very valuable material. Some of this material has
already been included in several of the Writers' project
publications, and, according to announcements, even more
valuable works on the Negro are in progress.
As you know all too well, there is no area in
American history has been so neglected nor so subject to
half-truths and untruths as the part which the Negro has played
in the building of America. The material which has been gathered
in this field is, in my opinion, of infinite importance in
giving white Americans a more true picture of the part which the
Negro played which in turn is helping to establish that mutual
respect which is necessary if democracy is to survive.
I would like, therefore, to express to you my
very sincere hope that you will do everything in your power to
preserve these projects as far as is possible.
With cordial personal greetings, I am
Respectfully,
(signed Walter White)
Secretary
* * *
* *
The White House
Washington
June 10, 1939
My dear Mr. White:
Mrs. Roosevelt asks me to write you and say that she agrees
with all you say in your letter of June 7. She has given it to
the President as you requested.
Very sincerely yours,
(signed) Malvina C. Thompson
Secretary to Mrs. Roosevelt
Mr. Walter White
69 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York* *
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posted 29 June 2008 |
