Negroes’ Sensitivity A Problem In Integration

Press, Volume C, Issue 29712, 4 January 1962, Page 2

Negroes’ Sensitivity A Problem In Integration

One of the more subtle problems of racial integration in the United States is the negroes’ own intense sensitivity. Because of it they never have complete confidence in relations with white people. On guard against a hurt, a rebuff or a let-down, they are always on the defensive within themselves.

Miss Marie Bray, a New Zealander who worked as a part-time voluntary assistant at Fides House in Washington, D.C., for three years, said in Christchurch that she found this barrier even with negroes she regarded as friends.

The welfare centre known as Fide* House is doing invaluable work for the principle of integration by giving practical assistance to negroes needing advice on legal matters which they do not understand, counselling on their domestic troubles, help with hous .ng problems and educational difficulties

Fides House sets out to help complete families, from the youngest to the oldest member, as a unit and to give them a sense of belonging in the community. Children are trained in community living and taught their responsibilities as individuals. Practical Classes Classes are held to teach negro women how to make clothes for themselves and their children and how to reupholster their own furniture, for instance. Teen-age girls are encouraged to take a pride in their appearance and are set good standards With a sense of achievement. self-respect and confidence grow. Because white people are working with them and for them, negroes who take what Fides House offers them acquire a sense of integration. “Many of the negroes who are helped by this welfare centre are now helping on the staff,” Miss Bray said. Family Spirit To foster the family spirit among negroes in the district, a "family night" is held regularly. Often a prize is given to .the biggest family attending. A programme is arranged for each age group from grandparents to young children. Volunteer baby-sitters take care of the infants while their parents are enjoying themselves. Fides House was started about 15 years ago by Dr Mary Elizabeth Walsh, then a lecturer in sociology at the Catholic University of Washington. Dr. Walsh wanted to put into practice the ideals she was teaching, said Miss Bray. With a few friends. Dr. Walsh went to live in one of the negro areas of Washington at a time when it was unheard of for white persons to do such a thing. Dr. Walsh took a room in an old house and offered negroes help with their personal and family problems. Not altogether trusting the new service, the negroes kept away* from her. Gradually, however, they realised Dr. Walsh’s sincerity and accepted her assistance. As the work grew. Dr. Walsh established the centre in an old school. A priest who was an associate professor of sociology at the Catholic University, became chaplain at Fides House and the work has continued to expand. Negroes are already in the majority in Washington DC. and as their population grows, so will the work of Fides House. Camp In Scotland Miss Bray's interests in social welfare work and refugees led her to Cala Sons In Scotland, where “hard

core* refugees from Europe are resettled. There M-ss Bray spent a year as a full-time voluntary worker with a variety of jobs from office work, teaching English and even overseeing a bulldozing operation in the grounds of the settlement. ”1 wanted to learn something about refugees because .mmigration is so important to New Zealand and the country's immigration policy is so restrictive,” she said “I feel we need a variety of cultural backgrounds from overseas in our growing population.” She also wanted to find out about the type of people who needed to immigrate to other countries. Many ot her friends m Washington had been exiles from European countries—exiles from communism. Ca’a Sons, in the Clyde

Valley, was opened by an Englishwoman, Mias Muriel Goftosi, who brought 10 "hard core” families from Europe to care for them after refugee camp. She had to guarantee that they would not be a care on the State for seven years. Support came from church and refugee organisations. Many of the refugees are not capable of working; but others work in the settlement for a small wage and pay a small rent for their cottages. Since leaving New Zealand nearly nine years ago. Miss Bray has visited every country in Europe except Portugal and trie Iron Curtain countries, though she has been to Jugoslavia several times. She lived in the United States for some years, and visited South America, Mexico, Canada. India, Iran and Israel.