A sweeping program for the extension of inter-racial and interreligious friendship which, in its specific recommendations urges Christian youth to boycott all agencies practicing racial discrimination, adopted by the Commission on Extending Friendship Among the Races of the Christian Youth Council of North America, was made public yesterday by the National Conference of Jews and Christians.
The program is based on the findings of the commission reached at sessions of the youth council at Williams Bay, Wis., from June 26 to July 1. The commission’s report was termed by Everett J. Clinchy, director of the conference, “one of the most far-reaching and significant programs for inter-racial and inter-religious under standing ever to be adopted by a Christian youth organization in this country.”
Among the specific recommendations of the commission were inter-racial meetings for parents arranged by the youth groups; encouragement of friendships between members of different races; further study by parents of the biological and social implications of inter-racial marriage; encouragement of inter-racial appreciation among children through stimulating friendships on playgrounds, and action by youth groups to eliminate prejudice in schools resulting from unfair characterization of racial groups in textbooks, the attitudes of teachers and the lack of understanding of other races among the students of a school.
RESPONSIBILITY FELT
The commission pointed out that the Christian attitude towards religious and racial minority groups should be one of understanding and cooperation.
“It is our responsibility as Christian youth to undertake all the activities we can which will broaden the lines of communication and cooperation between racial groups, leading them to a real understanding and appreciation of the unique contributions of each racial group to the whole society,” the statement declares. “We must realize, furthermore, in approaching other racial groups, that we must reverence their reverences and respect their dignities and values, for only through such systematic cooperation can a rich and varied society, so possible in this continent because of the racial elements, be achieved.
“The savage attitude of ‘live and annihilate’ has given way to our present attitude ‘live and let live.’ In a Christian world order this prevalent world attitude must give way to the group philosophy ‘live and help live,’ for we believe that the customary attitudes toward people different from ourselves which till the present have controlled our group thinking, are incongruent with the spirit which must exist in a Christian World Order. Moreover, we know that we do not inherit antagonism and prejudice. We acquire our way of looking at things through our relations and associations with others. We also understand something about the ways by which they are acquired and feel that specified methods can be used to develop Christian attitudes to replace the narrow attitudes of racial distrust and hate.”
The report also discussed discrimination against minority racial groups in governmental and economic agencies, in the employment situation, in school appropriations and in the press, radio, books and magazines. In regard to radio it was declared that certain programs engender racial prejudice, while the press “often plays up the misdeeds of other racial groups and fails to present their achievements.” Books and magazines were also criticized for presenting inaccurate and exaggerated portrayals of other races.
Discussing the discrimination against racial groups in theatres, restaurants, residential districts, clubs and other public places, the report recommended that Christian youth groups boycott all agencies which practice such discrimination and commend and patronize employers and owners of businesses who have refused to discriminate along racial lines.
In regard to the problem of lynching the report recommended that young people’s organization use their vote and influence to bring about the passing of a bill similar to the Costigan-Wagner Bill which was before the recent Congress to punish the crime of lynching.
The findings of the commission concluded with a series of general statements of attitude expressing the viewpoint of the members of the commission.
“We often fail to realize in dealing with other races that the easiest and most thorough way of exchanging valuable group patterns and attitudes among groups is through the process of friendly and cooperative living rather than through conflict and force,” the report concluded. “We believe that Christianity needs the values of all races shared together in the spirit of understanding and fellowship before it can reach its best.
PROFIT SYSTEM ATTACKED
“Furthermore, we doubt if the ideal of Christian brotherhood can ever be fully realized in racial friendship under an economic system based upon profit seeking and individual and group competition and struggle, but can be realized under a cooperative commonwealth.
“While we understand that there are no biological reasons against intermarriage, we recognize the sociological problems connected with it. We are opposed to legislation against it and social ostracism and persecution because of it.
“We believe that the brotherhood of man will come only when we recognize and appreciate the distinctive human values in each cultural group and when we organize our society so that there can be a sharing of each group by all. We recognize and accept this as our Christian responsibility and task in the problem of friendship among the races.”
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.
