Dear Billie:
I received word yesterday that you would like to know the opinion of the Peabody board members on the question of admitting a colored student to the Conservatory.
It seems to me that it would be a great mistake to change the present policy. In our climate the presence of negroes can to some be extremely offensive. Notwithstanding this, to others their presence together with whites at school, etc., is [illegible] in the South going to lead to such a mixed race as can see [sic] in Sicily or Brazil, — not a very edifying spectacle.
The effect upon our enrollment might be disastrous. At a time when it is probably going to fall for a while, due to less abundant money in parents’ hands, our principal competitors, — our own graduates teaching music —, may well take away a large part of our own enrollment. When the Board of St. John’s College decided not to accept a negro applicant, and the Executive Committee caused him to be accepted, a drive for funds which was contemplated had to be given up for want of Alumni support.
If the applicant for the Conservatory is really of outstanding talent, the Peabody should give him financial aid enabling him to study at the Conservatory in Boston, which is not vexed with the problem in question.
Sincerely yours,
Douglas Gordon]]> A Message of Inclusion, A History of Exclusion: Racial Injustice at the Peabody Institute, Acceptance of Paul Brent: 1949]]> A Message of Inclusion, A History of Exclusion: Racial Injustice at the Peabody Institute, Acceptance of Paul Brent: 1949]]> Croix de la Société Française de Secours aux Blessés Militaires features a silvered metal Greek cross with an integral bar suspension; front features the initials “SBM” for the Societe Francaise de Secours aux Blesses Militaires [translates: the French Society for the Aid of Wounded Military] in the center with the year 1914 above and 1919 below; a wreath of oak leaves starts from behind the upper arm of the cross and encircles the initials; suspended from a white ribbon embroidered with a red cross and a gold-colored metal branch of leaves pinned onto the top. Inscriptions Front is signed “E. BECKER” on the lower edge of the cross’s right arm; on the back in raised lettering: “Societe Francaise de Secours aux Blesses Militaires des Armees de Terre et de Mer” [translates: the French Society for Aid of Wounded Servicemen of the Land and Sea].]]> Alice Henderson Collection]]> Length: 3.25 in
]]> Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives]]> A Message of Inclusion, A History of Exclusion: Racial Injustice at the Peabody Institute, Baltimore Institute of Musical Arts: 1944-1954]]> Vashti Bartlett Collection]]> Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives]]>