Anti-Bias Action Supported

By Jay Stielstra (D) (City Council, Fourth Ward) Through my experience in athletics I have become poignantly aware of the paradox of Negro life. It is very satisfying to observe the world of athletics where a man is judged solely by his ability and the color of his skin counts no more than the color of his eyes. But it is bitterly disappointing to see the Negro athlete change his clothes and step into another world... one where the color of his skin affects every aspect of his life. Stielstra That "morality cannot be legislated” is an idea often advanced when racial discrimination is discussed. The fact is that morality not only can be, but IS legislated every day. The laws of our religions, traditions and governments have disciplined all of us. There has recently been a controversy over the legality of present and proposed civil rights legislation, whether it is the prerogative of the state or local government. The state at. torney general has opined: (1) All discrimination (including housing, employment, etc.) is outlawed by our state constitution (2) The state government has Edmplete jurisdiction in this field. (3) The State Civil Rights Commission is empowered to enforce compliance. If this opinion is upheld in court, we have an extensive legal basis upon which to fight discrimination. But the courts have not yet rendered any decisions on these matters, and a final decision may take several years. Meanwhile, my greatest fear is that opponents of civil rights legislation will use legal controversy as an excuse to do nothing while bigotry marches on unchecked. I am convinced that we must enact the recommendations of our Human Relations Commission regarding fair housing, support the State Civil Rights Commission, and as a City Council do everything possible regardless of politics to incriminate discriminatory prac