HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvisory Committee report, 1965 REPORT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE to the BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Appointed August 11, 1964
Committee Members Lewis L Hoyt, Ruth C Morey, Donald E
Nickerson, Norman J Richards
Directive "A study group on the human relations problem,
to report back to the Board of Selectmen no
later than December 1, 1964 with its recommen-
dations as to what future action should be
taken; the report to encompass action, lack of
action or whatever might be indicated "
The committee examined and considered the minutes of the
meetings of the Board of Selectmen for May 25, June 15, July
13, and July 27, 1964 on which dates that board met with certain
citizens of Lexington to discuss the future of race relations
in the Town and the impact of the "Civil Rights Act of 1964"
and to consider the recommendation of an independent group that
the Town establish an official Town committee as "there is now
a need for official Town involvement in the process of integra-
ting the American negro into the community "
Pursuant to the above directive the committee meL with a
number of interested persons in an informal manner to study
the possibility of the formation. of a "Human Relations Committee"
as an official Town Committee A number of written communica-
tions were received which were most helpful to the work of the
committee Each member of the committee received a copy of,
and became acquainted with the contents of the "Civil Rights
Act of 1964 " Because of time and resources committee work
was confined to Lexington and full investigation of the work
of Human Relations Committees in other areas was not made No
public meeting was held
COPY SENT TO BOARD JAN 26, 1965
COPY TO AL ,N ADAMS 2/9/65
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The committee tried to answer the following questions
Do past racial difficulties or "incidents" in
Lexington indicate a significant increase in racial
tensions that requires action by official boards
or agencies of the Town and/or the need for a spe-
cial board or committee to lessen such tensions and
to prevent further "incidents?"
What would be the method of selection, size and com-
position if such a committee is formed?
What would be the duties of a "Human Relations Com-
mittee?"
In recent years Lexington has experienced a number of inci-
dents involving discrimination because of race, color, or national
origin Some of these have been well publicized Most of these
incidents have involved the purchase, sale or rental of residen-
tial housing by non-whites Several of the incidents have re-
quired action by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimina-
tion, while others have been conciliated through the good offices
of the local clergy or other interested citizen groups
None of the acts of discrimination reported to this committee
involved the public schools, employment practices in public or
private business, or denial of basic civil rights, i e. voting,
etc.
Lexington now has approximately forty (40) negro families as
full time residents as well as several other families of non-
white races The presence of these families in the community
does not appear to have caused any racial tension In those
instances where an incident occurred it was at the time the non-
white family sought to find housing or shortly thereafter
The committee is not unaware that economic factors have to
a large extent restricted the growth of the non-white popula-
tion in the Town However, a steady increase in the number of
non-white residents is to be expected as their economic level
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is improved and they seek homes in the suburban areas
Such an increase should result in an integrated community
and serve to lessen rather than increase racial tension
that may now exist
The committee recommends that the Board of Selectmen
with the assistance of existing boards and agencies use
their good offices to conciliate in those incidents in-
volving discrimination that come to their attention We
further recommend that any information pertaining to the
conciliation. services offered by the Community Relations
Service established under Title X of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 be made available to all interested persons;
and that if deemed necessary the Board of Selectmen appoint j
an Advisory Board to assist them in resolving any diffi-
culties arising out of discriminatory acts or practices
which impair the rights of any of the citizens of Lexington
The committee does not recommend the establishment of
a separate town committee to be known as a "Human Relations
Committee" or similar title without full consideration
and vote of the Town Meeting or in compliance with future
state legislation.
The committee does not find any increase in discrimina-
tory practices or .racial tensions in the Town that would
require emergency action or require an appeal for assis-
tance from State or Federal agencies
This committee recognizes that the mere enforcement
of Civil Rights Laws is not sufficient program for the
promotion of better understanding between persons of
different races, religions, or national origins and,
therefore, it urges that all citizens of Lexington support
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and
-and cooperate with Lhose agencies, religious, governmental,
and of a private nature to develop and establish better
communication and understanding among all persons
Respectfully Submitted
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Lewis L Hoyt
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Ruth Cc Morey F'
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Donald E Nickerson
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orman J(Richards