The Crimson here reprints an open letter to the students of Princeton, published in The Dally Princetonian.
Informed of the controversy over the admittance of Negro students to Princeton University, I deem it imperative that you weigh the views of a Negro youth whose choice of a college was decidedly affected by racial barriers. I was born and bred in Princeton. The events of your university during the past decade are among the most intimate of my childhood memories. I saw your Bill Bonthron challenge Glenn Cunningham. I cheered for Le Van, Fairman, and Ceppi when the Bengals were invincible. I feel that I am just as much a son of Old Nassau as many of you are.
My plea is not the sob story of an irresponsible person who has committed a crime; although I may be considered criminal for destroying your fallacies and corrupting your illusions concerning the Negro and "his place." I am making no appeal to your emotions; my only purpose is to authentically define the desires of Negro youth and to eradicate any ideas concerning his complacency.
If you discriminate against me because I am uncouth, I can become mannerly. If you ostracize me because I am unclean, I can cleanse myself. If you segregate me because I lack knowledge, I can become educated. But if you discriminate against me because of my color, I can do nothing. God gave me my color. I have no possible protection against race prejudice but to take refuge in cynicism, bitterness, and hatred.
Think on these things.
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