I would like to disagree with the
editor's opinion that the failure to
fill the vacancy in the coaching
staff with a Negro is shameful. On
the contrary, I feel this opinion is
rather one-sided and narrow-minded.
It is asinine to require
that a vacant position must be filled
by a Negro in the name of
dispelling racial segregation and
recruiting Negro athletes. I definitely
do not want this to be
interpreted as meaning that I
oppose racial integration in our
athletic system. However, I do feel
that the methods propagated and
the condemnation bestowed in the
article "Shame" are invalid.
To deliberately refuse the position
to a qualified white man who
is already at hand and to set off in
search of a Negro is, in all truth,
exhibiting racial prejudice to that
white man. To attempt the solicitation
of a qualified Negro not only
because he is qualified but because
he is also a Negro is not the type of
integration that we need.
I would certainly not like to be
in Mr. Clay's place, nor in Mr.
Blackburn's, if it was necessary for
Mr. Blackburn to say, "I'm sorry,
Mr. Clay, but even though you are
qualified for this position and there
is no one else to our knowledge
that is any better suited, you are
nevertheless white and consequently
we cannot consider you for the
job."
Racial integration and the elimination
of racial prejudice can be
brought about only by the consideration
of every man as an equal
and not by completely sublimating
whites to consider only Negroes.
The necessity of a Negro coach
to recruit Negro athletes says little
for integration in itself. If a white
coach cannot attract and work just
as well with a Negro athlete as can a
Negro coach than there still exists a
strong color barrier, Perhaps it
would be more beneficial to have
the white coaches recruit Negro
athletes and obtain Negro coaches
to recruit white athletes.
Consequently, I disagree with
the opinion that the Athletic
Department's action was shameful.
I do feel, however, that the
condemnation of this action is
invalid and the person making it
failed to consider the entire situation.
I suggest that he look deeper
into the actual purpose of racial
integration, perhaps by setting
forth in search of a Negro to
become editor of the Cavalier Daily.
