Pareo 2
University Daily Kansas Thursday. May 5, 1960
Vigorous Action
The sit-down strike issue came to KU this week. The ASC fumbled the ball, but a group of Negro students picked it up and admirably handled the situation.
We commend Moses Gunn, Wayne Hightower, Kenton Keith, Delano Lewis and their associates, who staged the protest march yesterday. There was reason to protest.
ALTHOUGH the ASC, by resolution, does "not support sympathy strikes," we do support sympathy strikes and the measures used by KU students to show their approval of the sit-down demonstrations in the South.
Ron Dalby, president of the student body, certainly has the right to express his personal views in joining other student leaders in passing resolutions.
But he must, as a public figure within the University, also take the consequences of his resolution-making inclinations. And he must temper such inclinations with the thought that he is an elected representative of the students and is considered to be their spokesman, whether or not he intends to be.
The ASC, on the other hand, is more nearly a voice of the people, and should vote on resolutions as their constituents would have them vote.
PERIHAPS they did this Tuesday night. But the resolutions they adopted are not likely to
evoke much enthusiasm from the students. The wording is ambiguous.The stand taken is not at all clear.The problem has been approached from a negative viewpoint.
The ASC stated what it does not support — "action . . . contrary to the laws," "sympathy strikes," and "sit-in strikes, unless persons are actually deprived of their civil rights at the place in question."
It seems to us that the resolution disapproving of "sit-in strikes," with its "unless" provision, corresponds to approval. The strikes are taking place at businesses where persons are being deprived of their rights.
WE BELIEVE the ASC could have done better in its attempts at resolutions. We disagree with Ron Dalby and his president friends on their stand that "sit-down strikes violate the true principle of civil rights." We agree with Ed McMullan in his support of the National Student Assn. and the "peaceful and sensible display of student dissatisfaction."
As a matter of fact, we stated in these columns on March 16 that "The students in the lunch-counter demonstrations have shown both courage and dignity." We termed the demonstrations a step in the right direction.
Our opinions on the matter have not changed.
—Jack Harrison
Southerner Praises Sit-ins
Editor:
In a recent issue of the UDK it was reported that the presidents of the Big Eight schools agreed on a resolution condemning the present sit down strikes occurring throughout the South. The resolution Legins with:
"In contrast to other organizations who have purported to represent the students of our universities. . . "
The implication is that perhaps the Big Eight presidents do represent the feelings of the student bodies they respectively come from. If so, my student body president has done a poor job representing me. Should he desire to express his individual opinion concerning the issue, it is of course his right. But when he acts in a capacity as the KU student body president, he should take much more care in his actions. His problem is to make absolutely clear which capacity he
is functioning in — individual citizen or president.
Frankly, I am quite disappointed at the resolution expounded by this presidential conference. Apparently they feel this (sit down strikes) is some violation of "the true principle of civil rights" — maybe they mean the right of an owner to serve whom he pleases. This right is granted provided they don't abuse it by segregating against race. Living in the South, I am aware of the unfortunate conditions the Negro faces. In opposition to Mr. Ronald Dalby & company, I hardly support the Negro sit down strikes. The Negro is faced with the deplorable situation of not being able to vote so as to change the segregation laws operating against him. The most effective way to exert his influence is the passive action he is now conducting. Being arrested for "disturbing the peace" when all the person is doing is sitting quietly, calmly, and with dignity upon
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS By Dick Bibler
a stool reveals clearly the injustice being done to the Negro and makes the arresting officers look like damn fools. Often times proponents of segregation say the Negro is "happy" — I think the present activities reveal how "happy" he is. The courage required by individuals actively participating in sit down strikes earns my highest admiration. To face anti-Negro sentiments openly, to face possible expulsion from state supported universities, and to face arrest demands a great conviction for human dignity and basic human rights that are beyond any written statute — rights that we Americans profess to believe in but all too often fail to live by.
Mr. Dalby believes there exists no integration problems on our campus. I suggest he talk with members of Greek organizations and ask why some national charters contain restrictive clauses in their constitutions, what is being done about it actively and openly, why separate rushes are conducted, etc. I realize the problem has been raised again and again, but so far as I know no movement within the KU Greek system has attempted to do something about it. Perhaps a Greek house faced with a potential Negro pledge fears they will be condemned socially by other students on campus, be they Greek or not.
If so, we the student body should express ourselves openly and support any Greek house that breaks this race barrier. Indeed, as student body president I suggest you give your support to any Greek movement trying to overcome this problem locally. The ASC might also aid in encouraging the Greeks to make such a move. All these suggestions assume you and the student body of KU are opposed to racial prejudices and segregation. At a current events forum some weeks ago, a sweet young thing gained the floor and said something to the effect that she was sure we all here are Northern liberals and that she couldn't understand how the Southerner could feel the way he does. Being a Southerner I can only say I am regretful for the actions of many of my friends I can understand why they feel this way because of their cultural heritage; however, they are wrong and will have to change. I cannot see any leitimate reasons for finding prejudice on this campus. So you Northern liberals stand up and be counted!
David E. Sutherland Baton Rouge, La., junior
"MOVE OVER, FELLAS!"
... Letters ...
ASC Loxity Seen
After observing the All Student Council in "action" Tuesday evening, one can only hope that they do not represent the students of the University of Kansas. Following hours of debating and utter failure to positively take a stand on anything, cur student governing body has managed to place itself in a rather unique position among the schools of this country. While university student councils across the nation are adding their moral voice in support of the effort by southern students to secure justice which is long overdue, the University of Kansas students can only say "we are opposed to sympathy sit-ins."
When one sees the remaining social inequality in our university "family" and the housing situation which exists, both inside and outside of organized houses, he begins to see the problems which still remain in the United States before it will be possible to have equality, not only under the law, but also in fact.
Perhaps the least we can do as passive students at the University of Kansas is to deplore the situation which exists in the South and suport those who are attempting to correct it. It is certainly too bad that our All Student Council cannot even do hat.
Kenneth Megill Vassar, Senior
Vigorous
At least the ASC has passed a token resolution. This is better than nothing and much better than the Big Eight resolution. It was interesting to note the reservation of many members of the council at sanctioning sit-in strikes in this area. There must be a major segregation problem in Lawrence if they are afraid of the consequences of action. If there were no problem, they would merely be repeating the feelings of the community. One is left wondering at how long we have blinded ourselves to the segregation policies practiced in this community.
There are a good many who say sit-in strikes" are fine as long as they happen in the South, not here. What we are really saying is, "I don't value my own integration opinion enough to take positive action." Doesn't this destroy the fact we say we are for integration? Why kid ourselves? Why don't we admit we want segregation?
Arthur Neis Eudora Sophomore
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Disapproval
At the latest meeting of the Big Eight Student Body Presidents, a resolution was passed disapprovoking of the Negro Student sit-down strikes in the South. In addition the statement continued that 'the issue of integration is not a predominate factor on our campus.'
May I point out to Mr. Dalby that segregation still exists in some 'of our local restaurants, bowling alleys, swimming areas, fraternities, sororities, and churches. Some of the above in spite of statewide laws prohibiting discrimination.
Furthermore on behalf of those who feel that they had not been consulted when our 'president' spoke for the KU student population, I would like to wholeheartedly disapprove of the resolution passed by Mr. Dalby and his fellow Big Eight executives, and to actively support and encourage any peaceful demonstration which will allow the Negro, or for that matter anyone, to be recognized as a full and equal partner in our community. One might wonder out loud how we would view the Boston Tea Party if it happened tomorrow.
Stephen S. Baratz
Lawrence graduate student
Dailu Hansan
University of Kansas student newspaper
University of Kansas student newspaper
Founded 1889. became biweekly 1904, triweekly 1908, daily Jan. 16, 1912.
Telephone Viking 3-2700
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Member Inland Daily Press Association. Associated Collegiate Press Represented by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50th St., New York 22, N.Y. News service: United Press International. Mail subscription rates: $3 a semester or $5 a year. Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the university year except Saturdays and Sundays. University holidays, and examination periods. Entered as second-class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., post office under act of March 3, 1879.
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