Atlanta Daily World

Editor Gordon Writes On Color In Look Magazine

NEW YORK - TWO prominent Georgians one of them the managing editor of the Atlanta Daily World are featured in the October issue of Look Magazine discussing "What I Tell My Child About Color." Assistant Professor James W. May, of Emory University and William Gordon, of the World staff, described their views in the article appearing in Look. And both men, who have nine year old sons, stressed that it is the parents' job primarily to see that their offspring do not acquire prejudice against colored people. The article, which deals with this new approach, apparently sought to get the opinions from representatives of both Negro and white liberal forces in the South Both men live in Atlanta, and both expressed similar views in opposition to preaching intolerance to growing youths. Mr. Gordon, who has written articles for several national magazines, and teaches courses in journalism, has often attacked the problem of racial segregation in his weekly column, "Reviewing the News," which appears in all papers of the Scott News Syndicate. Mr. May teaches his boy through "attitudes and experience" rather than through lectures, he said in the article. Moreover, Mr. May said the issue is "discussed on the level that a boy can manage." He continued the best approach is "to provide normal boyhood experience shared with Negro children." The professor pointed out that he is currently arranging to have his son Jamie play with colored children at his home in Atlanta. On the other hand, Mr. Gordon who lives in an all Negro neighborhood, said the color question "haunts every Negro parent who wants to bring up his youngster without fear and the crippling stigma of inferiority." He emphasized that "very few whites realize the trouble which some Negro families go to avoid hurting their children. Some buy automobiles, even at a sacrifice, to take their children to and from school just so they won't have to ride in segregated busses," Mr. Gordon declared. Mr. Gordon's son, Bill, Jr., had his first direct experience with prejudice while visiting the park with his teacher and a group of youngsters. A counterman in the park restaurant refused to serve him a sandwich. Fortunately, the boy, "did not become embittered." Mr. Gordon said "He has acquired no hostile feelings toward whites." However, Mr. Gordon said, "the day is not far off when none of us will have to explain color to our kids. Almost every day now, we get the feeling that more humane elements are working all over the South."