Viewing page 33 of 33

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Hence in desperation, they often turn to crime, thereby destroying themselves for a life as respectable and useful citizens.

This is my case against the physical existence of the ghetto. Therefore, it is disheartening to me, and I hope to many other citizens, to hear white Americans in high places, be they President, Vice-President, Senator, Governor, or Mayor (or just "tin horn" politician) say "We are going to do something fro the poverty areas, including [[?]] ghettos". Meaning what? We certainly do not want the perpetuation of that we now have, nor a glorified "Apartheid", South African style, not yet a new "[[?]] Heaven"; for a ghetto with newly painted buildings, with or without rats and roaches, will have the same, aforesaid, detrimental social effects on its inmates.

So I call this letter "It's Hard, But It's Fair", the refrain line of an old Southern work song:

"Goin' round the mountain gettin' mighty cold,
Can't make a dollar to save my soul.
(a pause)
It's hard but it's fair!"

This song I heard sung by a comrade when I was a young man on my way up, during my roustabout days with the circus or during my hitch in the US Army. My meaning for it is - that it may be hard for the life-long inmate of the ghetto to move out, and it may be hard for people outside to welcome him, but it is fair. And whatever is "fair" must be achieved whether "hard" or not. Experience also teaches us that many things cease to be hard when their fairness is recognized.

Palmer C. Harden
127 West 6th Street
New York, New York 10019