University of Virginia Library

Together We Stand

We were indeed gratified by the number of
concerned individuals who turned out for
yesterday's demonstration. Surely their presence
at such an assembly is a clear indication
to the people of Virginia of the widespread
support at the University for the egalitarian
ideals which prompted the affair. It is reassuring
to know that at the University of
Virginia we can hold a large demonstration to
indicate the strength of our convictions without
results of the sort which have disrupted
other universities. We hope those who are in a
position to implement the aims of those who
demonstrated will accept this orderly gathering
as a testimony of good faith by those who
nevertheless share a deep concern for the
profound ethical and practical problems of
our society, and that they will respond in a
fashion commensurate with both that testimony
and that concern.

The organization behind the whole movement
has been considerably re-oriented since
its inception. A group of over 30 persons,
students and faculty, worked for hours on the
plans and proposals for today's rally, whereas
yesterday's assembly was organized mainly by
a small group of elected student leaders. The
group behind today's activity is a coalition of
liberals of every sort, from hard-core activists
to hard-core moderates. Every individual involved
has had to compromise his stand,
either in regard to means or specific ends, for
the sake of solidarity and a united front
toward the ultimate end, the elimination of
racism and the establishment of equality in the
community and the state.

As one more demonstration of good faith in
the whole matter the group decided to address
those of its proposals with which the administration
has not been formally confronted
previously to the Student Council as well as to
those whom the recommendations concern. It
is hoped by the members that the Council, the
"proper channel" for such matters, will add
its support and that the decision-makers will
respond accordingly; it is also hoped that the
administration will take the initiative if the
Council hesitates. Above all, the fact that the
demonstrations were so well attended is undeniable
evidence that the racism and discrimination
which have been the order of this
society for so long will be tolerated no longer.
It is imperative that the Council and the
decision-makers reflect their full realization of
this fact in their future actions.

The important lesson to be learned from
the whole affair is that unity among those
devoted to the same ideals can profit far more
than divisiveness. As long as those who pursue
those ideals resent and suspect each other's
means and motives there can be no effective
movement toward anything like the success
everyone wants. Compromise is difficult, but
mutual compromise in search of the ultimate
end is everything. We hope all the divergent
elements in the group behind today's action
will never cease to realize this and, further,
that they will never hesitate to sacrifice their
own immediate happiness for the ultimate
good: the happiness of a sorely oppressed
people. Only if they do so hesitate will the
establishment of that happiness be postponed
indefinitely.