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The Savannah Tribune
Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia
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American Red Cross rejects need for Negro blood donors in war effort, citing respect for prejudices as democracy symbol, in response to protest by Dr. E. R. Alexander; NAACP notes irony amid lack of scientific basis.
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PREJUDICE A SYMBOL
OF DEMOCRACY
New York, Jan. 9—The American Red Cross has stated that it not only does not want, but does not need the blood of Negro donors for wounded sailors and soldiers. It did not stop there, but declared that individual prejudices should be respected as a symbol of democracy.
In a letter to Dr. E. R. Alexander of this city, December 30, Sloan Colt, Director of the Red Cross War Drive states: "The Red Cross is now able to obtain from white donors enough blood to keep all the processing plants fully occupied so that the total amount of blood plasma available to armed forces is not lessened by our inability to accept Negro donors."
The letter, which Dr. Alexander has referred to the NAACP was in answer to a protest from him about the Red Cross policy.
The NAACP pointed out the irony in Colt's statement attempting to explain the policy. After admitting that there was no scientific basis for objections to transfusions of the blood of Negroes, he said: "It seems that the feelings and perhaps even the prejudices of individuals to whom transfusions are given should be respected as a symbol of democracy."
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
Jan. 9
Key Persons
Outcome
red cross states it does not need blood from negro donors and respects individual prejudices as a symbol of democracy; protest referred to naacp.
Event Details
The American Red Cross, in a letter from Director Sloan Colt to Dr. E. R. Alexander dated December 30, explained its policy of not accepting blood donations from Negro donors due to sufficient white donors and respect for recipients' prejudices as a democratic symbol, in response to Alexander's protest; the NAACP highlighted the irony given no scientific basis for objections.