DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 2 of 2) | 1951-11-01 The Catholic Messenger Article: "Citizen 2nd Class" Page 3

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

1951-11-01 The Catholic Messenger Article: "Citizen 2nd Class" Page 3

Doors are Slammed

The Davenport Negro, according to the survey, encounters the least discrimination in education. He is accepted in all Davenport schools -- from grade through college -- with the exception of a school of chiropractic and a business school.
While he is in school, however, and for the rest of his life after he is educated, the Davenport Negro finds a lot of doors slammed in his face.

When he tries to find work, the only jobs that are offered to the Negro are those of "sweepers, janitors and manual laborers." Although "personnel managers for 16 of the 18 firms contacted deny that their establishments discriminate against Negro workers," most of the skilled and semi-skilled Negroes find it necessary to work on the Illinois side of the Mississippi where "jobs and pay are better."

When he tries to find a house to rent or buy, the Negro and his family bump up against "real estate brokers (who) refuse to sell or rent to Negroes outside of the Negro sections." The Negro sections in Davenport are two pretty well defined 'pockets' -- one on the east side and another north of the business district along Harrison street. The League for Social Justice made a spot check of Negro housing along one city block in the Negro district. They found "96 persons living in 13 houses, an average of more than seven persons per house. One 11-room house had been converted into 'apartments' and was serving the needs of four families..."
When he gets sick, or when one of his children gets sick, or when his wife gets sick, the Davenport Negro has to try to figure out which doctor will treat the illness. Fourteen of the 79 physicians surveyed said they will not accept Negroes under any circumstances; a few said they would accept Negroes without qualifications. "The remainder accept Negroes, but many said they prefer to examine and treat Negro patients only during off-duty hours."

Few Dentists 'Available'

When the Davenport Negro has a throbbing tooth-ache, he may suffer quite a while before he will find a dentist who will ease the pain. Of 54 dentists surveyed by the League for Social Justice, only seven "said they accept Negroes as they accept white patients. Ten said they accept Negro patients on occasional emergencies, but ordinarily they refuse to serve them. One refused to answer...and 36 said they refuse to treat Negro patients at any time."

When the Davenport Negro needs a haircut, he must travel four or five miles across the river to Rock Island since "not one Davenport barbershop accepts Negro patronage."

Hotels, restaurants, and bar-restaurants present a varied discriminatory pattern. A few do not discriminate at all; some attempt to discourage Negro patronage and the rest refuse to accomodate Negroes under any circumstances.
Of the 12 clubs which describe themselves as "fraternal organizations," six "refuse membership to Negroes." The rest said they did not discriminate, but there are no Negroes on their roster.
When the Davenport Negro and his family desire recreation, they are free to use the city parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and golf courses. But if they wish to use the only roller-skating rink, they are discouraged; and "only one of seven local bowling alleys accepts Negro patrons freely." "The city's largest ballroom does not allow Negroes to attend at any time."
And when the Davenport Negro dies, he may even find himself "segregated" six feet under ground. While "two of five Davenport cemeteries bury Negroes without restriction. . . "one follows a strict policy of segregation and two refuse Negro burials entirely."

How the Trap Works

Thus, the Davenport Negro is caught in a vicious trap made and maintained by his white 'neighbors.'
Here is how the trap works:
The Negro is said to be lazy and shiftless. But when he applies for a better, more responsible job, the white employer refuses to hire him.
The Negro is said to be unclean. But when he wants to take a
(Continued on Page Two)

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Doors are Slammed The Davenport Negro, according to the survey, encounters the least discrimination in education. He is accepted in all Davenport schools -- from grade through college -- with the exception of a school of chiropractic and a business school. While he is in school, however, and for the rest of his life after he is educated, the Davenport Negro finds a lot of doors slammed in his face. When he tries to find work, the only jobs that are offered to the Negro are those of "sweepers, janitors and manual laborers." Although "personnel managers for 16 of the 18 firms contacted deny that their establishments discriminate against Negro workers," most of the skilled and semi-skilled Negroes find it necessary to work on the Illinois side of the Mississippi where "jobs and pay are better." When he tries to find a house to rent or buy, the Negro and his family bump up against "real estate brokers (who) refuse to sell or rent to Negroes outside of the Negro sections." The Negro sections in Davenport are two pretty well defined 'pockets' -- one on the east side and another north of the business district along Harrison street. The League for Social Justice made a spot check of Negro housing along one city block in the Negro district. They found "96 persons living in 13 houses, an average of more than seven persons per house. One 11-room house had been converted into 'apartments' and was serving the needs of four families..." When he gets sick, or when one of his children gets sick, or when his wife gets sick, the Davenport Negro has to try to figure out which doctor will treat the illness. Fourteen of the 79 physicians surveyed said they will not accept Negroes under any circumstances; a few said they would accept Negroes without qualifications. "The remainder accept Negroes, but many said they prefer to examine and treat Negro patients only during off-duty hours." Few Dentists 'Available' When the Davenport Negro has a throbbing tooth-ache, he may suffer quite a while before he will find a dentist who will ease the pain. Of 54 dentists surveyed by the League for Social Justice, only seven "said they accept Negroes as they accept white patients. Ten said they accept Negro patients on occasional emergencies, but ordinarily they refuse to serve them. One refused to answer...and 36 said they refuse to treat Negro patients at any time." When the Davenport Negro needs a haircut, he must travel four or five miles across the river to Rock Island since "not one Davenport barbershop accepts Negro patronage." Hotels, restaurants, and bar-restaurants present a varied discriminatory pattern. A few do not discriminate at all; some attempt to discourage Negro patronage and the rest refuse to accomodate Negroes under any circumstances. Of the 12 clubs which describe themselves as "fraternal organizations," six "refuse membership to Negroes." The rest said they did not discriminate, but there are no Negroes on their roster. When the Davenport Negro and his family desire recreation, they are free to use the city parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and golf courses. But if they wish to use the only roller-skating rink, they are discouraged; and "only one of seven local bowling alleys accepts Negro patrons freely." "The city's largest ballroom does not allow Negroes to attend at any time." And when the Davenport Negro dies, he may even find himself "segregated" six feet under ground. While "two of five Davenport cemeteries bury Negroes without restriction. . . "one follows a strict policy of segregation and two refuse Negro burials entirely." How the Trap Works Thus, the Davenport Negro is caught in a vicious trap made and maintained by his white 'neighbors.' Here is how the trap works: The Negro is said to be lazy and shiftless. But when he applies for a better, more responsible job, the white employer refuses to hire him. The Negro is said to be unclean. But when he wants to take a (Continued on Page Two)