Advocate Register_1951-03-09

ADVOCATE REGISTER (Designed to Read) Published by Oliver Smith News Agency (Established 1943 OLIVER E. SMITH, EDITOR Office 1453 N. Williams Ave.-EM. 7266 ATwater 2551, 3411 S. W. First Avenue, Portland 1, Oregon Free from Services of Any Specia1 •Intere5ts The News As We See It. The Editorials Are Our Opinions IN MY OPINION TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT By 1 ohn S. Holley I The selection of a "Negro First Citizen'' in Portland takes on a considerable degree of significance when persons of the humble sincerity of Mrs. E. W. Smith and the courage of Raleigh Washington are chosen for the award. Assuredly, both of them have proved themselves deserving of special recognition. But the ritual of selecting a "Negro First Citizen of Port– land" is a reflection upon the pattern of democracy in our community which should not go unheeded. Certainly any open designation of a "White First Citizen" would draw ringing protests from hundreds of advocates of democracy and brother– hood. I believe that it is only a feeling of charity for a mi– nority group beset by many unjustified societal pressures that prevents many of these same people from protesting the desig– nation of a "Negro First Citizen". But this latter designation is equally as unwarranted as would be the former. Such an award mmust either imply that: ( 1) non-white citi– zens are not given the same consideration in the selection for high honors in this community as are Caucasians, and th~t it is therefore necessary to set up separate awards on the basts of racial origin in order that deerving Negro citizens may receive the honors justly due them, or it means that: (2) Negro citi– zens of Portland are basically incapable of competing on th,e same basis as other citizens and must therefore be adjudged by separate standards. The first implication is a direct indict– ment of the policies of selection eii\ployed by the Realty Board in choosing its "First Citizen of Portland", as it would assume that only Caucasians are considered by the Board for this honor. The second implication is a gross libel against Portland citizens of Negro origin, including the two recipients of the 'tward. If the inferenc against the Realty Board is true, then serious soul-searching is m order for the sponsors of the "First Citi– zen" award as well as all other citizens who have given comfort and support to such bias. Obviously such a policy should be corrected. If the inference is not true, the sponsors of the "Negro First Citizen" award owe it to the Realty Board and the community to recognize this and to desist from such an implication. At any rate, the public has a right to know the truth of the matter, and the sponsors of both awards might well take the responsibility to clarify their policies and aims. Additional honors in recognition of worthy achievement and meritorious service are always in order in our society, and are essential to the maintenance of high ideals and standards. But the objectives of this "honor system" are thwarted in cases where the public is left in confusion as to the basis and justifi– cation for the "honor". 'The Negro First Citizen Committee owes us all an explanation for this obvious contradiction of principles-if it has one. And if the Comlmittee really intends no reflection upon the community pattern by its action, then I suggest that it avoid the appearance of such by changing the title and basis of its awards. If it is in keeping with its objec– tives, the Committee might choose to honor "the best example of achievement despite the social handicap of race" (which would obviously open the door to members of other minority races, who also suffer discrimination, and clearly indict the biased element of the majority group); or future honorees might be chosen on the basis of "the citizen contributing most to interracial understanding". Such a basis for selection would eliminate the racial exclusiveness implied in the title "Negro Frst Citizen" and allow any ndividual who made such a con– tribution, Negro or not, to become eligible. In the type of community we are working to achieve (and it is vital that we achieve it speedily) there will be no place for double standards or racial exclusiveness. 1 ohn S. Holley, 3923 N. Moresby, Apt. 8 To The Editor: In my opinion Mr. Holley is confused in reference to not honoring a most outstanding Negro First Citizen annually. Because of the so-called "click" and "in the know" attitude which has predominantly taken hold of our research and fact-finding agencies, it is only proper that individuals should initiate some type of event or organization which is free from certain interest; yet is most helpful and progressive in bringing about better racial understanding. The public is not concerned with irrelevant observations of which he complains; on the contrary-the people are interested mainly in one alternative-that is to stimulate races for the purpose of achievements and at the same time establishing. a 1 more wholesome society in which to live-The recognition of the First Citizen in this respect certainly plays an advantageous role. His writing is such pompus, lengthly and confusing criti– cism; for the average layman is unable to grasp his convic– tions in the main, when they are revealed in the manner that Mr. Holley presented them. Eddie G. Harris, 3533 N. Palmyra, Apt. 10 BOZARTH WRITES Mr. Oliver Smith Editor, Advocate-Register Dear Oliver: I am really very sorry not to be able to join with you and so many other of my friends in the Negro First Citizen dinner. As you know, if it were physically possible for me to do so, I would certainly be there to add my smallvoice in praise of Mrs. Smith and that fine young lad Raleigh Washington. My associations with Marie Smith go back over several years. I have had the pleasure of knowing her both professionally as a frequent guest on my radio broadcasts, and one of the several local citizens we regarded as authorities on matters of race relations-and also socially, as one of the most charming and sincere of friends. Her warm compassion for people of every racial background and every situation have endeared her to all 6f us. Her quick understanding, her. very great patience, her calm and serene confidence in goodness and right and her very able direction as President of the N.A.A.C.P. during the past year make her one of our first citizens indeed-without the need of limiting it to either 1950 or to "Negro". I have had the pleasure of speaking from the same platforni with Mrs. Smith, of working with her and closely observing her efforts to help make ours a better and a richer world. I am convinced that people such as this first citizen will succeed in that task for I know the world is brighter and more hopeful because she walks among us. Sincerely, Rene' Bozarth