Abstract

Welfare or Status

The structure of race relations in the U.S. has changed since 1900, but the movement is still debating the merits of the two positions namely, welfare goals and status goals. Welfare goals involve "gut" needs, more jobs and higher incomes, more and better schools, better medical care, more political representation, safe travel for children to and from school. Status goals seek the integration of Negroes into all phases of community life. Still, neither Negroes nor whites have difficulty distinguishing between the central thrust of welfare and status. On many issues Negro leaders must, as a matter of practical strategy, choose between the two kinds of goals. Most of them recognize that the problems of Negro Americans will not be solved until both status and welfare are attained.