The Northwest Enterprise

But One Answer
Mrs. James A. White, 7204-A E 14th Street, Vancouver, writes the press about the housing situation in Portland.
First, I would like to know, of those who object to public housing, how many will rent a livable house in a respectable neighborhood at a reasonable rent to a family which includes small children?
Second, I wish to know how many of those same people would rent a house under the same conditions to a Negro family which does or does not include small children. As a Negro with children I know the answer—public housing.
Again and again we have tried to rent a house in a good neighborhood at not too high a rent. Those who rent to people without children wouldn't rent to Negroes. Those who rent to Negroes didn't want to rent to families with small children. Then there are those to whom it makes no difference. The hovels they offer! Even our cat wouldn't enjoy living in those conditions.
Now, we think the answer is in buying a home. Now, it isn't objections to children; it is that we were born Negroes. Real estate operators, owners, etc., make such wonderful sales talks—over a telephone. That all changes when they see the color of one's skin.
With a husband who is a veteran of World War II and attending business college, having a moderate income and living the life that everyone who is interested in rearing a good, substantial family lives, I feel we constitute what is known as "the regular American family."
Is it too much to wish to live in my own home town? All I want is for my children to enjoy growing up in a decent, respectable environment as I did. I still don't think that this is asking the impossible. Do you?