RACE RELATIONS INSTITUTE    

Established 1942     

Hitler's Germany, and Italy under the rule of Mussolini, were espousing European Nationalism through racist propaganda while simultaneously seeking to conquer the world. It is clear that Johnson made a connection between the use of ideology, social construct and public policy, and the government policies that upheld racial segregation in the United States

In an essay entitled Promotion of Racial Understanding, Dr. Johnson refers to the proposal of the mission:

"Implicit in the terms of reference for this group, and its subsequent proposals, the idea that the Japanese people, in order to become a respected and equal member of a world society of peace loving people, must re-order their institutions to the end of achieving greater democratization and freedom for the people."

Dr. Johnson continues:

"For, whether or not the proposals made for the re-education and democratization of the Japanese people have any validity or usefulness to the Japanese, the effort at such a formulation did provide me, personally, a fresh perspective on our social and educational problems at home."

Dr. Johnson compared the disorientation of the Japanese people with that of African Americans. It is also evident, that within this context one can see the formation of the ideological framework for the Race Relations Institute. Johnson spoke of re-ordering social institutions so that the ends of freedom and democracy may be attainable. 

The question then became, is there a connection between world view, social construct, and policy? Johnson felt that there was, and the Race Relations Institute, under his leadership, brought this perspective to the forefront of world opinion.

Approximately seven months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the first Race Relations Institute convened in June 1942.

What would Dr. Johnson, the Race Relations Institute, and Fisk University, use to facilitate honest dialogue among civilized nations? He argued the same mentality drove Hitler into Europe, Mussolini into Ethiopia, Europe into Africa, gave smallpox to Native Americans, created the system of slavery in America, the persecution of Jews, and the round-up of Japanese Americans during World War II. Dr. Johnson, speaking of the urgency of the moment writes:

"Now the time of proof has come. Now is the time of decision. The present state of transition gives us an opportunity to establish a fresh, more fruitful, more wholesome pattern of human relations, or to slip back into the old rigidities and narrowness."

He also writes:

"Many of these nations are watching now to see whether in our relationships to our racial minorities at home we are moving in a direction which promises well for our relationships with Asiatic and African peoples in the world community. It is this sense that it can be truly said that the issue of color is the crucial issue of the Twentieth Century."

In a matter of a few years, Johnson, was able to assemble the greatest minds of every profession together to discuss this phenomena called race. Two examples were: 

▪ Attorney Thurgood Marshall of the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense Fund..

▪ Associate Professor of Anatomy, Professor M.F. Ashley Montagu, author of:..

· Man’s Most Dangerous Myth: The Fallacy of Race..

· The Concept of Race

Leading professionals in all areas of people activity: Education, Economics, Entertainment, Labor, Law, Politics, Religion, Sex and War, were involved in the Institute and the formation of public policy. Attorney Thurgood Marshall, in a letter dated May 11, 1950 wrote of his "enthusiasm" in working with Dr. Johnson and said that he would be "more than happy" to attend the Institute. 

Professor M.F. Ashley Montagu, in a letter dated April 19, 1948 wrote: "It has always given me great pleasure to visit Fisk." In another letter dated July 6, 1945, Montagu wrote: "The Institute is destined to be a considerable success and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to be associated with it." 

The notion of race and its meaning and responsibilities was an intricate part of the Institutes. This is the reason for Montagu’s continued involvement at the request of Johnson who felt that in order to re-order social institutions, one must be a "respected" and "equal" member of society. 

However, many oppressed groups, African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and members of the Jewish American community were not respected and certainly not seen as equal in the eyes of the law or the political majority. Monatgu argued the equality of the races through anthropological support. He rather naively thought that if all people come from the same genetic strand then they should be considered equal. If that was so he reasoned, then all people should be treated the same.

Brotherhood Among Those Who Seek Justice, was the title of an address given by U.S. Department of Labor Secretary James P. Mitchell, on June 28, 1955 at one of the last Race Relations Institutes that Dr. Johnson sponsored. In his address, James Mitchell speaking of the impact of Fisk on Race Relations remarks:

"Because two thirds of the people of the world are non-white, the interest in this matter is intense. They are not going to believe a word we say about freedom and democracy unless we back up our lofty words with actions which prove beyond any question or doubt that we practice what we preach." 

"By helping the Nation to fulfill and recognize its responsibilities, organizations such as the Fisk Annual Institute for Race Relations are providing a valuable service to the Nation."

Substantial gains were made because of the impact that Dr. Charles S. Johnson, Fisk University, and the Race Relations Institute's have had on the U.S. and world policy. Secretary Mitchell reported that many "antiquated" practices were "abandoned" and many "precedents" were set, such as:

▪ Integration in the Armed Forces, begun several years ago, has now been fully accomplished...

▪ President Eisenhower has made appointments to high positions in the Federal government without regard to race or creed...

▪ The effective banning of racial discrimination on Federal contract jobs has be greatly improved by the President’s Committee on Government Contracts...

▪ Segregation in District of Columbia eating and recreational establishments has been abolished by our court decisions and administrative action...

▪ Employment opportunities for Negroes in private industry as well as Government has become more numbers; and..

▪ The Supreme Court has handed down its historic decision on segregation is public schools."..

All of these measures came about as the result of the work of Charles S. Johnson, the Race Relations Institute and those who assisted in the implementation of policy in the Armed Forces. Secretary Mitchell conforms this as he says:
..

"Moreover, due to the urgings of the country's highest officials, and the educational work carried by groups such as the Fisk Institute, the people are beginning to understand that the strength of our Nation rests on its devotion to is basic principles. Thus, blind prejudice is becoming repugnant to more and more people."
..

As founder of the Fisk University Race Relations Institute, Johnson created opportunities for many people that have gone unnoticed. His international activism and humanitarianism, ignited an eternal flame in the quest for justice, freedom and equality for oppressed people everywhere. His successors have also sought to do the same as he.