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FREEDOMWAYS       THIRD QUARTER 1969

that equality of opportunity and privilege that should be the crowning glory of our institution of learning?
I am deeply moved at the injustice done to a student of Rutgers, in good and regular standing of good moral character and splendid mental equipment, - one of the best athletes ever developed at Rutgers, - who, because guilty of a skin not colored as their own, was excluded from the honorable field of athletic encounter, as one inferior...Not only he, but his race as well was deprived of the opportunity of showing its athletic ability, and, perhaps, its athletic superiority...Can you imagine his thoughts and feelings when, in contemplative mood, he reflects in the years to come that his Alma Mater faltered and quailed when the test came, and that she preferred the holding of an athletic game to the maintenance of her honor and principle?
I am provoked to this protest by a similar action of the University of Pennsylvania, heralded in the public press less than two weeks ago. Annapolis [underlining G.F.] protested the playing of the Captain of one of the athletic teams of the University of Pennsylvania, a colored man. Almost unanimously his fellow athletes decided to withdraw from the field and cancel the contest. In this, however, they were overruled by the athletic manager...Such prostitution of principle must cease, or the hypocricy must be exposed. 
The Trustees and Faculty of Rutgers College should disavow the action of an athletic manager who dishonored her ancient traditions by denying to one of her students, solely on account of his color, equality of opportunity and privilege. If they consider an athletic contest more than the maintenance of a principle, then they should disavow the ideals, the spiritual mission and the lofty purpose which the sons of Rutgers have ever believed that they cherished. 

Very respectfully yours, 
James D. Carr
Rutgers '92

-Special Collections, Rutgers U. Library, New Brunswick, New Jersey. (This document was displayed as part of an informative exhibit on the Negro in the History of New Jersey.)
II. Robeson in 1919 
A. Recognition by press 
"One of the greatest of all-around athletes developed in recent years will be lost to collegiate sports when Paul Robeson the giant Negro closes his term at Rutgers this month. 
"For four years, this wonderful athlete has been repre-

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