Where I Stand 1960 — Hank Greenspun: Hearing won’t quell racism

Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 | 10:09 a.m.

Note to readers: This column by Sun founder Hank Greenspun appeared on March 25, 1960. In the following days the newspaper reported that largely because of Greenspun's efforts, a deal was reached to end the practice of prohibiting minorities from being guests at Las Vegas hotels.

Heywood Broun once told a story of attending a meeting of Irish Republicans. The chief speaker was a man, who according to the announcement, was there to conciliate the forces of Ulster. He began his speech by declaring, "I have never said an unfriendly word against the Orangemen, misguided, bigoted and besotted though they may be."

Much the same spirit would prevail at an open meeting to resolve differences between the NAACP and public officials, owners of business establishments and those who practice discrimination. No satisfactory result can be achieved.

Open hearings attract extremists -- the hotheads on either side -- and instead of a fraternal meeting to iron out some ills of our society, it might degenerate into a real brawl.

I have been asked if I intend to comment on the racial matter, which seems to occupy much space in the newspapers today. There are many who are willing to hold my coat if I would get involved. I am acquainted with this type of supporter. Not only they, but my coat would quickly vanish if matters got a little warm.

It isn't pleasant to continually inject oneself in issues especially when the right course can be the unpopular one. But I can't think of a better reason for the existence of a newspaper than to comment on public issues.

My opinion on the issue of the day needs no clarification.

I despise intolerance. I loathe all forms of bigotry. I am against any attempt to segregate people into religious or racial groups. All of our citizens are human beings and there is no distinction among the breed.

It is time to tear away the veil of taboos that has surrounded discrimination and talk frankly. But as long as the bigots are permitted to create rifts among people of every class, color and creed, the confusion can never be cleared from the minds of those who are uninformed and quick to believe ill of their fellow men.

Truth is the weapon which must be used to fight the evils of ignorance and discrimination. Truth can oppose the frauds which bigots perpetrate through the evil design of generalizing against an entire people. People are not met or confronted with their own accomplishments as individuals but are stigmatized by the male factions of a few, of by pure happenstance are members of a same race.

I cannot deny that Jim Crowism is practiced in some business establishments in Las Vegas. It would be wishful to think that all is harmony among our peoples. But it is not the general rule as practiced in Vegas as in the South.

If I believed a meeting could resolve the problem, then this newspaper would be the first to yell for the meeting.

If I thought a demonstration in front of the hotels could serve a purpose, then by all rights such demonstrations should be held. But before the march begins, we should know against whom we're marching. There's no sense in going to war until we first learn who the enemy is.

It is not my intention to advise the leaders of the NAACP whether the demonstration should be held or canceled. In all probability they will take guidance from national headquarters, but this is not solely their affair. Discrimination against the Negro may be the Negro's burden, but it is the white man's problem.

I did discuss with the mayor the inadvisability of an open meeting. All that could be accomplished is unfounded charges, hysteria and possible violence.

Demonstrations might have the same effect. When crowds gather, it takes little goading by extremists of both sides, shouting epithets and taking unauthorized actions, for it to get out of hand. And as in most demonstrations, it is the friendly onlooker, the innocent victim, who is harmed.

There is a sensible method of accomplishing that which the NAACP sees. It has worked in its communities and has proven effective in bringing harmony between the races and colors.

The city of Detroit is a horrible example of uncontrolled action by crowds. In 1943 an unfounded rumor touched off an outbreak of violence that resulted in 286 people being killed before the rioting was brought to end. Bodies were found in the alleys for days afterward and there was no distinction among the colors when a count was taken. The deaths among the white outnumbered the black by 10.

As a result, a Civil Rights Commission was appointed, whose duties were to investigate all grievances, hear the charges, separate the rumor from fact and to right the wrong. The relations between the races in Detroit since the commission has been a model for other communities to follow.

A demonstration along the Strip Saturday night may bring harm to a friendly hotel which does not practice discrimination, while the guilty ones escape unscathed. A Civil Rights Commission comprised of members appointed by the mayor and County Commission from representatives of industry, religious organizations and community leaders could localize the issue and pinpoint the offenders. A demonstration might then be in order.

Marching against the community is not a solution because the community is not the enemy.

All this I sincerely believe. I do not ask for time -- for time has long run out.

I plead for understanding for someday prejudices will pass, as all evil must. Men will be judged as individuals and not by color, race or religion.

As long as free minds and heart are at work, there is a probability of brotherhood.