The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia issued a statement today condemning racist appeals to bigotry made by some Negro speakers at rallies in this city. The statement expressed concern that while they had been directed against whites, some had been specifically aimed at Jews.
The JCRC statement stressed that “there is no distinction between Negro and white racism. Appeals to bigotry and anti-Semitism by Negroes give aid and comfort to racists and segregationists. They play directly into the hands of white supremacists who oppose equal rights for Negroes.”
The statement noted with gratification that the Negro community recognized the harmful nature of racist appeals and continued to reject them. It pointed out that major Negro organizations and leaders had “unequivocally repudiated and condemned resort to anti-Semitism by Negroes.”
The JCRC said that it and its member agencies would not be diverted from their continuing active involvement in behalf of equality and civil rights and expressed confidence that “the Negro community similarly will continue to reject racist appeals from whatever source and recognize that the achievement of full civil-rights requires the joint, cooperative effort of citizens of all races and persuasions.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
