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Letter to Editor
March 3, 1956
Jackson Advocate
Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
A letter to Jackson Advocate editor Percy Greene praising his level-headed stance on segregation, sharing positive personal experiences with race relations in Mississippi since 1946, criticizing the NAACP, and arguing that integration would harm colored people more than help, preferring natural racial advancement over forced change. (248 characters)
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Letters To Editor
Mr. Percy Greene, Editor Jackson Advocate 406½ N. Farish St. Jackson, Miss.
Dear Sir:
I was glad to see that one newspaper gave you credit for being level headed on the subject of segregation, as you did not believe the action of the Supreme Court would be of any benefit to the colored race.
I came down here in 1946 and was amazed at the fine relationship that existed between the white and colored people here on the Coast, as from things I had heard up North a tension existed between them.
The letters NAACP it seems to me should be read National Association Against Colored People, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the promoters had selfish interests in mind, as well as financial gain.
I used to operate a small business here and had a nice business from the colored people and find that many of them are still my friends.
I asked an elderly colored man what he thought about all this fuss about integration, and he said, it would do the colored people more harm than good.
I was in New Orleans a few days ago; got onto a street car and as I didn't have far to go, just dropped into a back seat, the conductor picked up a sign on the seat and showed it to me, then I looked around and noticed there were three or four colored ladies back there, so I was violating the rules. Then I moved forward.
I think segregation has some advantages for the colored people in that respect.
It seems to me that as a whole the colored people would prefer to advance as a race with their own schools, organizations, businesses and professions, and in time integration might become a thing through natural processes rather than by agitation and bloodshed.
I came from Indiana and there are no Negroes at all in many of the towns, if they go there on business OK, but they are not permitted to live there. So you see the South is not the only place where there is a degree of segregation.
When it was hinted that I should move forward in that street car, I was in a way being segregated.
I want to commend you for being broad minded and sensible in the matter and hope you have plenty
Mr. Percy Greene, Editor Jackson Advocate 406½ N. Farish St. Jackson, Miss.
Dear Sir:
I was glad to see that one newspaper gave you credit for being level headed on the subject of segregation, as you did not believe the action of the Supreme Court would be of any benefit to the colored race.
I came down here in 1946 and was amazed at the fine relationship that existed between the white and colored people here on the Coast, as from things I had heard up North a tension existed between them.
The letters NAACP it seems to me should be read National Association Against Colored People, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the promoters had selfish interests in mind, as well as financial gain.
I used to operate a small business here and had a nice business from the colored people and find that many of them are still my friends.
I asked an elderly colored man what he thought about all this fuss about integration, and he said, it would do the colored people more harm than good.
I was in New Orleans a few days ago; got onto a street car and as I didn't have far to go, just dropped into a back seat, the conductor picked up a sign on the seat and showed it to me, then I looked around and noticed there were three or four colored ladies back there, so I was violating the rules. Then I moved forward.
I think segregation has some advantages for the colored people in that respect.
It seems to me that as a whole the colored people would prefer to advance as a race with their own schools, organizations, businesses and professions, and in time integration might become a thing through natural processes rather than by agitation and bloodshed.
I came from Indiana and there are no Negroes at all in many of the towns, if they go there on business OK, but they are not permitted to live there. So you see the South is not the only place where there is a degree of segregation.
When it was hinted that I should move forward in that street car, I was in a way being segregated.
I want to commend you for being broad minded and sensible in the matter and hope you have plenty
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Reflective
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Segregation
Integration
Race Relations
Naacp
Mississippi
Civil Rights
Personal Anecdote
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Percy Greene, Editor Jackson Advocate
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Percy Greene, Editor Jackson Advocate
Main Argument
the writer argues that segregation benefits colored people and that forced integration would cause more harm than good, advocating for natural advancement through separate institutions rather than agitation.
Notable Details
Personal Experience In Mississippi Since 1946 Noting Good Race Relations
Criticism Of Naacp As Potentially Self Interested
Anecdote Of Elderly Colored Man's View Against Integration
Streetcar Incident In New Orleans Illustrating Segregation Rules
Comparison To Segregation In Indiana Towns