President Truman said that the idea behind this discrimination was. to put it mildly. that English or Irish names were better citizens than Americans with Italian or Greek or Polish names. Such a concept is utterly unworthy of our traditions and our ideals." To this the American labor movement says a fervent "Amen." but I would believe we would go further. We would sayat least a large majority of us--that one of the most insidious obstacles to unity of the free world and of the socalled uncommitted nations is our perpetuation of this atrociously discriminatory quota system. It suggests to other nations and to other peoples that we find them inferior. or undesirable. perhaps not to be trusted. or even dangerous. I make this statement out of considerable firsthand experience with the leaders of many different peoples. experience with them both here in the United States during their visits and experience with them in their homelands in Europe and Asia and Africa.
Identified stereotypes
English or Irish names were better citizens than Americans with Italian or Greek or Polish names