Jewish Group Tells Commission on Campus Unrest It Deplores Bloodshed, Extremist Actions

The Jewish Community Federation letter sent to the Presidential Commission on Campus Unrest was highly praised by Commission member. General Benjamin O. Davis. The letter was approved by Federation’s Board of Trustees and signed by Lloyd S. Schwenger, president. Speaking at the recent fourth annual Brother’s Keeper Award luncheon at the Federation, General Davis, who just retired as this city’s Safely Director, said Federation’s observations coincide with the precepts of the Brother’s Keeper and if followed, could do away with racial disorders. The letter condemned bloodshed by armed troops a Kent State University and at Jackson State College and deplored “destructive actions by extremists that formed part of the background out of which the tragedies occurred, although we do not equate these two irresponsible actions as being of identical significance.” Mr. Schwenger’s letter pointed out, “It is our hope that you will explore not only the specific tragic events on the several campuses, but the underlying causes and possible remedies for the tensions that gravely threaten our society.” The letter noted that both the “democratic and the Jewish traditions stress the sanctity of human life and the crucial need for debate and dissent, free from violence or repression.”

Noting that both concepts have been gravely subverted” by recent events on the campus and that the atmosphere of hatred fed by heated language from persons in all stations of life on and off the campus “increases the mood of violence and repressions,” the letter urged: “Ways must be found to deal with unjustified and irresponsible actions without resort to shootings or loss of life.” It also urged that the Presidential Commission adopt an approach to the issue of violence in colleges in such a way as “to utilize for constructive purposes the idealism and passion for justice so manifest on the campus.” The recent tragedies at Kent State and Jackson State “constitute graphic symptoms of much deeper social conditions requiring remedy.” Mr. Schwenger’s letter continued. “The malaise so deeply affecting our country essentially stems from the frustrations arising from the tensions generated by war, poverty and racism, and lasting solutions will arise only from a forthright attack on these basic social conditions.” The letter concluded with a pledge of support by the Federation towards “putting our energies, together with other citizens and organizations, to appropriate involvement in those community projects which will help in the solution of the crucial issues facing us as a nation.”