Minneapolis Spokesman

Father Gilligan Says Our Papers Contribute Much

Editor: Ideally there are two qualities which should dominate the policy of a weekly paper representative of a racial or economic minority group.

The first is, fearlessly and constantly to direct attention to the serious injustices which the major group commit against the minority group. This does not imply stirring up trouble as some fallaciously think. The trouble exists. it will be corrected only when attention is directed to it.

The second is to remind the members of its own group that there is need of correcting mannerisms and practices which while relatively insignificant in themselves. actually accentuates substantially the prejudices of the majority group. This quality is indispensable if people are to be practically interested in the correction of the injustices and not just concerned about protests.

This quality is extremely rare in many weekly newspapers since it involves distinctive courage and tact to direct such observations to the members of a group who have suffered and burned from persistent injustices.

The St. Paul Recorder and Minneapolis Spokesman possess these two qualities in a higher degree than any weekly newspaper representative of a minority group. that I have ever seen.

It is a fearless paper: it is a constructive paper: it has contributed much to the present sound basis for cooperation which now exists in Minnesota, It is essential for the future years if Minnesota is to be freed from interracial injustices.

During the next decade. while retaining these two eminent qualities, may its financial position grow stronger so that other qualities may be improved.

Father F. J. Gilligan,
St. Paul Seminary,
Chairman of the Governor's Interracial Commission,