DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 2 of 2) | 1953-02-14 Burlington Hawkeye Gazette Article: "Race Relations Held Improved in City"

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

1953-02-14 Burlington Hawkeye Gazette Article: "Race Relations Held Improved in City"

2 Burlington, Ia., Hawk-Eye Gazette . . Sat., Feb. 14, 1958
Ideal of Brotherhood Not Reached
Race Relations Held Improved in City
"You have everything you need here in Burlington to become a real American city. For God's sake, go ahead and finish the job."
So spoke Dr. William A. Smith of Philadelphia in the main address of the evening at the second annual Lincoln-Douglas banquet, held at Memorial auditorium Friday evening under the auspices of St. John African M. E. church. 
Contrasting the better treatment accorded colored people in Burlington today with the treatment accorded to them when he was growing up in the city, Dr. Smith complimented Burlingtonians on their more enlightened outlook, but stressed that the ideal of brotherhood has still not been reached in Burlington.
"What harm would be done if the school system would employ a couple of colored teachers?" he asked. "After all, you introduce a Negro into the postal system, and you still get your mail."
Smith paid high tribute to the Burlington junior college, however saying that work he took there more than 20 years ago had been an important factor in his career. 

"The colored people must be integrated into our society if our society is to remain healthy," the Baptist minister-educator declared. "A society in which the Negro is a second-class citizen cannot be healthy."
Addressing himself specifically to "my Negro brethren," Smith asserted:
"The minds of men are ready to receive a favorable impression. One of the things needed is a little forgiveness on the part of the Negro people. Grievous wrongs have been done the Negro people, and are still being done, but we shall never reach understanding with our white brethren unless we are ready to forgive the happenings of the past."
Smith was introduced by DeEdwin White, toastmaster of the evening, who called him "a local boy who is making good and doing good."
Also on the program were greetings from the Burlington chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, extended by Lloyd Maffitt, vice-president of the chapter; greetings from the Masons, extended by L. K. Nelson; greetings from the Eastern Stars, extended by Mrs. Velma Lewis, and a brief resume of the Burlington community self-survey and the mayor's committee on civic unity, given by Mrs. James Schramm. 
Mrs. Schramm said the work of the survey group and the committee had been "slow and undramatic, but important." Before these groups began their work, she said, many Burlingtonians did not even realize that there was a minority problem, but that now many of these same people are asking:
"What can we do about it?"
She credited church groups, labor organizations, the Hawk-Eye Gazette, the Burlington Labor News and the NAACP with having done much to make the people conscious of the need for a more brotherly treatment for local minorities, as well as radio station KBUR, which carried programs dealing with the subject. 
Mrs. Schramm also called attention to the motion picture on fair-employment practices which has been shown and is being shown to service clubs, church groups, etc.
The essay contest, sponsored by St. John church in Oak Street and Horace Mann junior high schools, had about 50 entries. Winners will be announced within the next few days, the Rev. G. Paul Jones, pastor of the sponsoring church, announced. Subject of the essays is "Abraham Lincoln."
After the dinner, the program opened with the group singing "America," with Mrs. Birdie White at the piano. The invocation was pronounced by the Rev. C. M. McKay, pastor of Bethel A. M. E. church of Keokuk. Malena Ray sang "This Is My Prayer," accompanied by Yvonne Brown, and Sandra Giles and Evelyn Dawson sang an unaccompanied duet, "Whispering Hope." Cecil Rideout sang "One World" and "The Twenty-Third Psalm," with Mrs. Tom McInerny at the piano. 
The Rev. Mr. Jones spoke briefly, and introduced the co-chairmen for the banquet, Mrs. Goldie Irving and Mrs. Elmyra Benhart, each of whom spoke a few words. He also introduced Mrs. E. J. Voigt, who spoke briefly, as did Mrs. Mary Campbell, who will sing at special services at which Dr. Smith will speak Sunday. 
Jones also presented his mother, Mrs. Blanche Jones, Springfield, Ill., and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary Lewis, Champaign, Ill. The program closed with the group singing the Negro national anthem and the benediction, given by the Rev. R. Richardson, pastor of Union Baptist church.
Mayor Tom Smith, who was scheduled to speak, was ill and unable to attend. Approximately 200 were present, including a delegation from Fort Madison. 
Theodore Clark served as chef for the dinner. 

Dr. Smith will speak at a union service of the Union of St. John congregations at the Union church Sunday morning. In the evening he will speak at a union service of First Baptist and First Methodist churches, to be held at First Baptist church.
Sunday afternoon there will be a special program at St. John A.M.E. church featuring a talk by Ben Luke, student from India at Iowa Wesleyan college, Mount Pleasant, Grace Methodist and Trinity Lutheran churches will co-operate in the service.

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2 Burlington, Ia., Hawk-Eye Gazette . . Sat., Feb. 14, 1958 Ideal of Brotherhood Not Reached Race Relations Held Improved in City "You have everything you need here in Burlington to become a real American city. For God's sake, go ahead and finish the job." So spoke Dr. William A. Smith of Philadelphia in the main address of the evening at the second annual Lincoln-Douglas banquet, held at Memorial auditorium Friday evening under the auspices of St. John African M. E. church. Contrasting the better treatment accorded colored people in Burlington today with the treatment accorded to them when he was growing up in the city, Dr. Smith complimented Burlingtonians on their more enlightened outlook, but stressed that the ideal of brotherhood has still not been reached in Burlington. "What harm would be done if the school system would employ a couple of colored teachers?" he asked. "After all, you introduce a Negro into the postal system, and you still get your mail." Smith paid high tribute to the Burlington junior college, however saying that work he took there more than 20 years ago had been an important factor in his career. "The colored people must be integrated into our society if our society is to remain healthy," the Baptist minister-educator declared. "A society in which the Negro is a second-class citizen cannot be healthy." Addressing himself specifically to "my Negro brethren," Smith asserted: "The minds of men are ready to receive a favorable impression. One of the things needed is a little forgiveness on the part of the Negro people. Grievous wrongs have been done the Negro people, and are still being done, but we shall never reach understanding with our white brethren unless we are ready to forgive the happenings of the past." Smith was introduced by DeEdwin White, toastmaster of the evening, who called him "a local boy who is making good and doing good." Also on the program were greetings from the Burlington chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, extended by Lloyd Maffitt, vice-president of the chapter; greetings from the Masons, extended by L. K. Nelson; greetings from the Eastern Stars, extended by Mrs. Velma Lewis, and a brief resume of the Burlington community self-survey and the mayor's committee on civic unity, given by Mrs. James Schramm. Mrs. Schramm said the work of the survey group and the committee had been "slow and undramatic, but important." Before these groups began their work, she said, many Burlingtonians did not even realize that there was a minority problem, but that now many of these same people are asking: "What can we do about it?" She credited church groups, labor organizations, the Hawk-Eye Gazette, the Burlington Labor News and the NAACP with having done much to make the people conscious of the need for a more brotherly treatment for local minorities, as well as radio station KBUR, which carried programs dealing with the subject. Mrs. Schramm also called attention to the motion picture on fair-employment practices which has been shown and is being shown to service clubs, church groups, etc. The essay contest, sponsored by St. John church in Oak Street and Horace Mann junior high schools, had about 50 entries. Winners will be announced within the next few days, the Rev. G. Paul Jones, pastor of the sponsoring church, announced. Subject of the essays is "Abraham Lincoln." After the dinner, the program opened with the group singing "America," with Mrs. Birdie White at the piano. The invocation was pronounced by the Rev. C. M. McKay, pastor of Bethel A. M. E. church of Keokuk. Malena Ray sang "This Is My Prayer," accompanied by Yvonne Brown, and Sandra Giles and Evelyn Dawson sang an unaccompanied duet, "Whispering Hope." Cecil Rideout sang "One World" and "The Twenty-Third Psalm," with Mrs. Tom McInerny at the piano. The Rev. Mr. Jones spoke briefly, and introduced the co-chairmen for the banquet, Mrs. Goldie Irving and Mrs. Elmyra Benhart, each of whom spoke a few words. He also introduced Mrs. E. J. Voigt, who spoke briefly, as did Mrs. Mary Campbell, who will sing at special services at which Dr. Smith will speak Sunday. Jones also presented his mother, Mrs. Blanche Jones, Springfield, Ill., and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary Lewis, Champaign, Ill. The program closed with the group singing the Negro national anthem and the benediction, given by the Rev. R. Richardson, pastor of Union Baptist church. Mayor Tom Smith, who was scheduled to speak, was ill and unable to attend. Approximately 200 were present, including a delegation from Fort Madison. Theodore Clark served as chef for the dinner. Dr. Smith will speak at a union service of the Union of St. John congregations at the Union church Sunday morning. In the evening he will speak at a union service of First Baptist and First Methodist churches, to be held at First Baptist church. Sunday afternoon there will be a special program at St. John A.M.E. church featuring a talk by Ben Luke, student from India at Iowa Wesleyan college, Mount Pleasant, Grace Methodist and Trinity Lutheran churches will co-operate in the service.