Author: Joseph

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A.B.Shanti Sena Mandal Rajghat, Varanasi (India)
Dated. 6th August, 1964

My Dear Bayard,
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I have just/iwith great interest, reports about the Harlem riot in "Newsweek" and "Peace News".   The News Week report gives more information while the Peace News article poses certain problems.
Before giving my comments on the problems posed in the Peace News,  let me express my heartfelt congratulations for the part that you and Parmer played during these incidents.   You must have received many letters of congratulations for the Washington March as it was an obvious success.   But a peace worker alone knows how greatly he needs to be congratulated for an effort where he has not achieved such clear-cut results.   I really think you have done a great job at Harlem.
It is interesting to note that you are entering a stage in your movement where from clearycut and specific issues you are turning to problems pertaining to  the change of the whole social order.   This certainly is  the time to ponder over methods and to endeavour vigorously to find new,  positive and dynamic methods.
The following extract from A. J.   in the Peace News is most interesting:
"To urge that the emphasis now be on further developing a non-violent staategy rather than abandoning or diluting it,  is not to urge retreat or .^moderation^1  or reducing the militancy of the struggle.   It is meant to be,   and in my opinion can  be in practice,  exactly the opposite,  viz.,   the means  to maintain and intensify the dynamism and drive of the Integra cion movement, "
I do agree with A* J.   that emphasis now should be on further developing a non-violent strategy rather than abandoning or diluting it.   But are we quite sure that developing of non-violent strategy necessarily means increasing the militancy of the struggle?  It is likely that AiJ.  may have a different meaning of  'militancy^1  in his mind than what I have,  but if it means taking your methods more and more towards,  expressions  similar to violent methods,   then where are we going to end?  I would like to know more about your definition of  'militancy^1.
But this is not to discuss worlfe. Let us try to think of some other courses that you can take in the present situation.
The future programme can be devided for convenience under three different heads*
1.	Immediate programme among the Negroes ai*dp
2.	Immediate programme among the white population, c*~>,c(.
3.	Constructive work among both.
1.   The immediate task among the Negroes would be to secure the mental balance that must have been lost owing to  the riots.   'Resorting to violence may mean voting for Goldwater'   seems to be a good slogan as well  as a good argument to me.   The self-defeating suicidal nature of violence Ajhould be duely emphasised in the post-riots days, when the people of Harlem might be in a more contemplative mood than during the actual riot days.

/

-     2    -
Programmes giving non-violent expression to  the need of Negroes of Harlem could also be tried.   How about a mass meeting of say 20,000  children singing one really moving song?  A powerful song on the  toylngues of all  the children of the  area may be a very suttle and effective means of nonviolent action.   'What do you say about all  the women in the area wearing a black strap on the arm for a certain number of days or untill  some immediate objective is achieved?  The enrolement of women in the nonviolent movement is a very important factor.   Even nature has made women more suited for non-violent action.   Anethow about 10,000 people fasting on a specified day?  I know that your people are not used to fasting tod similar other methods of self-suffering.   But were they used to other methods of non-violent action a decade ago?  A novel method may be more attractive to  the non-violent volunteers and more effective upon the public in general.
2.	A positive step towards resolving this problem
should be taken by working among the white population of
New York.   It is  true that the social problem involved here
will  take a long time to  solve it.   But there are certain
things  that must be done immediately.   There may be a a
tendency among some of the unruly white elements to retaliate.
Steps should be  taken to counter act this.   This can be done
by keeping an eye on such trouble spots, making house to
house    contacts there,  as well as by general propaganda.
The attention of the  thinking white can be drawn towards this problem immediately and efforts must be made to rouse the feeling of compassion among them.   Could there be procession of white sympathisers to  the Negro cause marching through both the  areas?  Could we appeal to  some of the favourably inclined firms  to employ more people from the Harlem area?  Could we find landlords offering  to let their houses to Negroes?  There could also be letters and deputation to the Mayor and the President by whites in sympathy with the cause.
3.	One of the things that can be added to the non
violent movement of U. 3.   is constructive workl Supposing
we start with the rehabilitation of the sufferers in the
riots? Here is a field where both the whites and Negroes
can join hands.   There could be  joint work camps of youth
organisations.   Some of the psychologists and other specia
lists may be persuaded to work in the Harlem area in order
to do the mental rehabilitation work.   Some of you might
start centrds of social service among the people of Harlem.
This might give you an opportunity to serve the people,
know the people and influence the people.
I know how foolish it is  to  suggest programmes to a man like you who has an idea a day in the head (1)   and I also know how absurd it is to  suggest sometMing from such a distance,  knowing practically nothing about the conditions there.   But still I venture to write,  because as  a frfeen& I know I can indulge in suggestions,   and as a friend I would like to share with you in the days of your difficulties.
With best wishes.
Youns sincerely,
Narayan Desai    ) Qeasebaryu