Draper High School - Draperian Yearbook (Schenectady, NY)

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RACIAL TOLERANCE ln a country at war, one sometimes becomes conscious of a common striving among men and women in industry toward an ultimate goal. ln some cases this striving even includes a tolerance towards one's fellow worker. He is respected because of his keenness of mind or his skill, not excluded because of his particular race or creed. lf anything advantageous comes out of war, it is racial tolerance, for this feeling is not only intelligent, but it is also an important part of Christianity, for earthly standards, such as position, wealth, race meant nothing to jesus. Through extensive reading in high school for various subjects, we became acquainted with great men of different races, for example, George Washington Carver, a Negro, and Chinese Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Through our teacher, who realized equality for all is important in a democ- racy, we became, on the most part, open-minded, and consequently, tolerant. When plans for the post-war world are made, old prejudices must be forgotten, for there will be no time for such things while there are the large problems of adjustment to normal conditions to be solved. This plan- ning, in order to be effective, must include teaching tolerance to the young, for the students then will be the lawmakers and citizens later. Their ideas will become custom and law. The superiority of any race over the rest is proved false by the present chaotic condition of the world. The Germans, driven by their fiendish leaders to believe they were super-human, strove to conquer the world. Their failure should be everyone's lesson. Every race has its peculiar char- acteristics, but no one group could ever overpower all the others. After the present struggle is over, all the races of the world must cooperate in order to accomplish the things that may be done in the field of science and medicine. lt is my sincere wish that in that time when distance and hours are shortened so as to make the world seem small indeed and because of inventions our lives are made more useful and more pleasant. people may look over the world and say in their hearts, We are truly all sisters and brothers. RUTH HALSTEAD. Assistant Editor-in-Chief.

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EARL B. ZIMMER Superintendent of Schools The high school pupils of i945 are very uncertain about the future. The war is still with us and must be brought to a successful conclusion. Reconstruction of a war torn world must follow as surely as day follows the night. The problems will be many and very complicated because of the peculiar abstract human character traits we all possessg therefore, the preparation in education must be increased and improved. Opportunities for the returning service women and men must be varied and sympathetic to fulfill the requirements of individual differences. The world now filled with hate must become a world filled with a feeling of good-will toward all people. This is a very large order to fill, but no other adjustment will justify the sacrifices of service people or assure that civilization will reach higher goals. Peace is a product of kindliness and war a product of hate and evil. Therefore, the average persons must want and deserve peace by their acts and feelings if we are to avoid another world catastrophe. EARL B. ZIMMER, Superintendent.