Essay "Law and Order"

Essay "Law and Order"

This essay, written by freshman John E. Donaldson, was the opening piece in the Fall 1957 edition of The Messenger. In it, Donaldson describes his hesitance toward forced integration. He begins his argument by asserting that he is "not defending the prejudices of the Southern White" and "not condoning his willingness to resort to violence, to disobey the laws, or to close the public schools in order to preserve segregation." However, he sees Southern schools as not ready for such a change as integration, and argues that, if segregation is an evil to be removed, forced integration only introduces new evil and hatred. He urges the federal government to pay mind to "local conditions" before using force to enforce school integration. Donaldson refers to the conflict surrounding the integration of Little Rock's Central High School earlier that year as "a just cause for alarm."

Donaldson, John E. "Law and Order." <em>The Messenger</em> LXXXIV, no. 1 (Fall 1957): 18-20. University Archives, RG 24 Student Publications. Virginia Baptist Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.

The Messenger, University of Richmond

1957

Chris Sullivan

Gabby Kiser

English

MessengerLXXXIV.1.18-1957