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PARTY VOICE

PRE-CONVENTION
DISCUSSION BULLETIN NO.2

November NEW YORK STATE 1959

HARLEM RESOLUTION ON THE NEGRO QUESTION

It is unfortunate that the key points dealt with in the Draft Resolution on the Negro Question were not integrated into the Draft Political Resolution so that the Negro question could be viewed in its proper perspective. 

The inadequacy of the Draft Resolution on the Negro Question is clearly demonstrated by the following two quotes from its beginning and ending. The introduction states: "... notwithstanding partial victories and limited concessions won through struggle, the fundamental condition of Negro Americans remains unchanged; the problem of Negro oppression had not been solved." The conclusion states:"...all signs point to an early and triumphant resolution of the centuries-old battle of the Negro people for full and equal citizenship..." These two statements are obviously contradictory. 

It is clear that the Negro Freedom movement has recently met serious reverses. The Supreme Court has retreated from its previous position on segregated schools and upheld the "pupil placement" laws which can delay integration for many years. Congress adjourned without taking any effective action on civil rights. The Civil Rights Commission is being openly defied by the deep-South states. The allies of the Negro people have not come forward as they should. Thus the problem before us is to effect a drastic change in this situation -- it is necessary to pass from setbacks to victories. 

Objective conditions are today such that the goal of full citizenship under the Constitution (i.e., equal rights) is now within reach of the Negro people and can be won in the immediate period ahead. There are three basic reasons for this which are based on developments both at home and abroad.

1) The interests of the majority of the American people require an end to the system of second-class Negro citizenship. The struggle of the Negro people for full citizenship is not a struggle of minority against a majority. The rightness of this struggle has the moral support of the majority of white Americans, and this moral support can be transformed into active support. In particular, the basic self-interest of the labor movement today makes it possible to build a strong Negro-labor alliance in the immediate future in spite of present strains in this alliance. 

2) Resolute mass action by the Negro people themselves can be a decisive factor if it reflects the co-ordinated action of all organizations of the Negro people through one united leadership with a common program. It is precisely such unity of action which is still to be achieved. 

3.) The third factor is the powerful pressure of world opinion against racism in the United States. It is coupled with the vast and rapid growth in the power of the socialist world and the rise of the Asian-African-Latin American countries. Without this third factor, the first two would not be sufficient to assure victory. It provides a powerful tactical weapon which the Negro people can and should use to the utmost. 
 

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