DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 2 of 2) | 1951-10-03 Burlington Hawkeye Gazette Article: "Flirting With Trouble"

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Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 2 of 2)

1951-10-03 Burlington Hawkeye Gazette Article: "Flirting With Trouble"

[??ing With Trouble
[[Article text]]
When first discussions looking forward to [??} called self-survey in racial matters of [??] Burlington community took place nearly a year ago, we threw out a word of caution. We said, "It's flirting with trouble.".
Now the survey has been made. A report was made to the public at a meeting Monday night. Many who attended were most enthusiastic. Others were dubious as we were a year ago and as we still are.
The gist of the survey is to consider racial discrimination, to correct evils therein where found and to cultivate greater tolerance. All this is splendid and we subscribe heartily to it where there is need for such.
But Burlington has no race problem. It never has had. It never will unless there is a great influx of races not well represented here now or unless agitation pricks at a situation until it becomes an open sore.
The race riot that so completely disgraced the city of Cicero not long ago was a result of agitation. It could have been avoided very easily. Negroes as well as whites were responsible.
Furthermore, we are not in sympathy with the presumed intent here to point out individuals who may not be in complete harmony with the local program. A Negro speaker Monday night complained that he had been denied hotel privileges here and named a hotel from which, he said, he had been barred.
When this survey program was first undertaken, all of us were assured it would be pursued from a purely objective viewpoint ... that nobody would be pointed out as scapegoats ... that there would be no naming of names. Now it appears the plan is the contrary to create sentiment that will apply pressure, if possible.
Every business firm serving the public must handle racial problems with caution. Otherwise, they are not apt to get out of hand and spread into highly inflammatory situations. No general rule can apply. A hotel-keeper, a theater operator or a restaurant proprietor is vulnerable. His problems are individual. If he opens his doors indiscriminately, he's likely to find himself with little patronage. He can't force people to continue to patronize him if they become dissatisfied with their environment while patronizing him.
Negroes and other racial minorities are not mistreated in Burlington. Where there is discrimination, it is the exception rather than the rule and works no serious hardship.
It is interesting to serve that among those keenly interested in promoting the survey here are some of our best known religious leaders. They must remember that they, too, are in vulnerable positions. We suspect promiscuous inclusion of Negroes in hitherto all-white choirs, for example, would present some of the same problems as hotel, theater and restaurant men face.
Again we repeat ... Burlington has no racial problem that causes trouble or is likely to unless we agitate. Let's not stir this one up.

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[??ing With Trouble [[Article text]] When first discussions looking forward to [??} called self-survey in racial matters of [??] Burlington community took place nearly a year ago, we threw out a word of caution. We said, "It's flirting with trouble.". Now the survey has been made. A report was made to the public at a meeting Monday night. Many who attended were most enthusiastic. Others were dubious as we were a year ago and as we still are. The gist of the survey is to consider racial discrimination, to correct evils therein where found and to cultivate greater tolerance. All this is splendid and we subscribe heartily to it where there is need for such. But Burlington has no race problem. It never has had. It never will unless there is a great influx of races not well represented here now or unless agitation pricks at a situation until it becomes an open sore. The race riot that so completely disgraced the city of Cicero not long ago was a result of agitation. It could have been avoided very easily. Negroes as well as whites were responsible. Furthermore, we are not in sympathy with the presumed intent here to point out individuals who may not be in complete harmony with the local program. A Negro speaker Monday night complained that he had been denied hotel privileges here and named a hotel from which, he said, he had been barred. When this survey program was first undertaken, all of us were assured it would be pursued from a purely objective viewpoint ... that nobody would be pointed out as scapegoats ... that there would be no naming of names. Now it appears the plan is the contrary to create sentiment that will apply pressure, if possible. Every business firm serving the public must handle racial problems with caution. Otherwise, they are not apt to get out of hand and spread into highly inflammatory situations. No general rule can apply. A hotel-keeper, a theater operator or a restaurant proprietor is vulnerable. His problems are individual. If he opens his doors indiscriminately, he's likely to find himself with little patronage. He can't force people to continue to patronize him if they become dissatisfied with their environment while patronizing him. Negroes and other racial minorities are not mistreated in Burlington. Where there is discrimination, it is the exception rather than the rule and works no serious hardship. It is interesting to serve that among those keenly interested in promoting the survey here are some of our best known religious leaders. They must remember that they, too, are in vulnerable positions. We suspect promiscuous inclusion of Negroes in hitherto all-white choirs, for example, would present some of the same problems as hotel, theater and restaurant men face. Again we repeat ... Burlington has no racial problem that causes trouble or is likely to unless we agitate. Let's not stir this one up.