Richard C
Evansville, IN
Dr. Ralph Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his UN activities after world war II. He had remarkable people skills, intelligence, negotiating skills, humility and congeniality. The NAACP gave him the Spingarn Medal for his great work and he said “There need be no more Spingarn Medals nor any other awards to Negro Americans. For there is no longer any distinction among Americans because of race or color..” Dr. Bunche authored most of the UN charter sections for removing colonial powers from England, France and the Dutch and transitioning colonial countries toward self rule. He called upon Black Americans to become “American in full.” He denounced racial stereotypes and prejudices in the US and believed that these would disappear through the democratic process, a system where nothing is impossible. He was such a splendid person that he should be held up as a role model for all of us.
My grandfather was from Italy and he rented homes to people of all races and creeds. He taught me that you must integrate neighborhoods to provide maximum respect among all its inhabitants. Creating ghettos of any kind will result in disaster. My father kept his African American friends until he passed away. I have known a few of these folks and they are (were) marvelous people. Respect for each other is key.
