Herbert L. Thomas Explains Arkansas Plan to Daisy Bates |
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April 28, 1958 Mrs. L.C. Bates 806 West Ninth Street Little Rock, Arkansas Dear Mrs. Bates: The Little Rock newspapers have credited you with the statement that I misquoted you in reference to our conversation concerning my efforts to bring about a peaceful and end to the strained relationships between the Negro and white races in Arkansas. I assure you that if I did misquote you such action was not intentional on my part. Furhtermore, I should be very happy to correct any possible misstatement of fact or misinterpretation of your position, if you will be kind enough to provide me with a statement making clear your comments and your position. I had hoped that it would be possible for us to get moving toward a constructive, cooperative consideration of this problem without the need for anyone to quote anyone else, or for anyone to comment publicly concerning the position of any other person. I feel that it is much better, in matters of community interest, for persons concerned to make their views a matter of public record. Two reasons prompted me to seek public forums for a discussion of the plan which I offered: One reason was my understanding that Negroes feel that too many subjects pertaining to their welfare have been handled in past years behind closed doors. In this section, I had nothing to hide. I had no selfish motives. To me a closed-door maneuvering would have been unthinkable, even had it been possible. My second reason that I wanted the leadership pf both races to stand together with courage and with good will and say in effect to the world: “This has become a difficult problem of human relations, but it can be solved, and by working together in a spirit of mutual trust and confidence we will solve it with consequent advantages to both races.” Had we taken such a stand together, then there would have been no reason for anyone to quote anyone else. Our hopes and our attitudes would have been known to all.
Object Description
Title | Herbert L. Thomas Explains Arkansas Plan to Daisy Bates |
Description | Herbert L. Thomas writes long letter to Mrs. L.C. (Daisy) Bates highlighting points of contention between over The Arkansas Plan |
Subject |
Racism Desegregation Integration Little Rock Central High School African-Americans Blacks Little Rock (Ark.) |
Description
Title | Herbert L. Thomas Explains Arkansas Plan to Daisy Bates |
Description | Herbert L. Thomas writes long letter to Mrs. L.C. (Daisy) Bates highlighting points of contention between over The Arkansas Plan |
Subject |
Racism Desegregation Integration Little Rock Central High School African-Americans Blacks Little Rock (Ark.) |
City | Little Rock |
County | Pulaski |
Date of Image | April 28, 1958 |
Transcript | April 28, 1958 Mrs. L.C. Bates 806 West Ninth Street Little Rock, Arkansas Dear Mrs. Bates: The Little Rock newspapers have credited you with the statement that I misquoted you in reference to our conversation concerning my efforts to bring about a peaceful and end to the strained relationships between the Negro and white races in Arkansas. I assure you that if I did misquote you such action was not intentional on my part. Furhtermore, I should be very happy to correct any possible misstatement of fact or misinterpretation of your position, if you will be kind enough to provide me with a statement making clear your comments and your position. I had hoped that it would be possible for us to get moving toward a constructive, cooperative consideration of this problem without the need for anyone to quote anyone else, or for anyone to comment publicly concerning the position of any other person. I feel that it is much better, in matters of community interest, for persons concerned to make their views a matter of public record. Two reasons prompted me to seek public forums for a discussion of the plan which I offered: One reason was my understanding that Negroes feel that too many subjects pertaining to their welfare have been handled in past years behind closed doors. In this section, I had nothing to hide. I had no selfish motives. To me a closed-door maneuvering would have been unthinkable, even had it been possible. My second reason that I wanted the leadership pf both races to stand together with courage and with good will and say in effect to the world: “This has become a difficult problem of human relations, but it can be solved, and by working together in a spirit of mutual trust and confidence we will solve it with consequent advantages to both races.” Had we taken such a stand together, then there would have been no reason for anyone to quote anyone else. Our hopes and our attitudes would have been known to all. |
Item Location | Herbert L. Thomas Papers, 1899-1979 (MC 437, Box 4, File 4) |
Rights | Please contact Special Collections for information on copyright. |
Digital Publisher | University of Arkansas Libraries |
Series Title | Land of (Unequal) Opportunity: Documenting the Civil Rights Struggle in Arkansas |
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