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“I HAVE NOT ADVOCATED SOCIAL EQUALITY
BETWEEN COLORED AND WHITE PEOPLE”
356
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ROOSEVELT, ELEANOR. Typed Letter Signed, as First Lady, to Miss Addie
Frizielle, clarifying her own position on civil rights by distinguishing between “social
equality” and the equality that ought to be enjoyed by all citizens of a democracy in virtue
of having certain rights, expressing doubt that anyone would be harmed by informing
people that they are entitled to certain rights, and suggesting that being safe in a workplace
where one must share toilets and wash basins is no different from any place where many
people come and go. 1 page, small 4to, “The White House” stationery; folds. With the
original envelope.
Washington, 13 May 1944
[3,500/5,000]
“
I have not advocated social equality between colored and white people That is a personal thing
which nobody can advocate. Nobody can tell me whom I shall have inside my house . . . .
“
The only things which I have advocated are four basic rights which I believe every citizen in a
democracy must enjoy. These are the right for equal education, the right to work for equal pay
according to ability, the right to justice under the law, the right to participate in the making of
the laws by use of the ballot. . . .
“
I am sure it is true that . . . you have found some discourteous colored people. I have found
colored people who were discourteous, and I have also found white people who were
discourteous. . . .
“
If you have to use the same toilets and wash basins where you work, then all of you must
have to take phyisical examinations, in which case I think you are as safe as you would be in
any place where a great many people are coming and going. If you are nervous, there are certain
precautions which you can always take.”