Integration
(Student Guest Editorial)
Guilford College, a Christian, Quaker institution, during the ob-
vance of its 125th year of continuous education, has added to the
significance of this year by adopting a policy of integration. This
action is to be praised, but in reflection, it is a decision which, in
respect to the Christian principles of Guilford College, should have
been reached many years ago.
The decision having been reached, the next procedure is to bring
about integration in a manner which will incur the least number
of problems. In this respect, I think a reversal of the past policy of
both the board and administration of Guilford College is both desired and necessary. By this I mean the all too often effecting of
policies without student consideration.
In integrating, we need common sense, good nature and understanding cooperation of all concerned. We are not dealing with
nuts and bolts but with men and women. If the nut does not fit the
bolt perfectly, it can be thrown away. We cannot throw away people. With all our human faults and failings, we shall have many
small irritations in so large a process of change. We need not get
excited about that but should take it good-naturedly. We, too, are
human.
We need intelligent patience. We need to take time to study
each problem and to think through our plans before acting. Even
then, some plans will fail. This is to be expected, but we should
then be prepared to work out new approaches. This is very different
from the evil patience that just sits back and submits to whatever
exists. It is working patience that changes human society.
Integration is a process rather than an ideal. But it is a process
in the right direction. We count it the right direction because of
our ideals. We believe in democracy. Integration of Negro and
white Americans is necessary if we are to have real democracy in
this country. For those who feel that they are children of a loving
God, then a loving Father does not distinguish between his children
and neither should the children distinguish between themselves.
—Charles Baker
