Eleanor Roosevelt

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Mrs. Roosevelt answers questions about United Nations, the US foreign policy, and human rights in America from the foreign press.

Moderated by Col. Joseph M. Murphy

Panelists: Rune Jaysmar of Le Monde of Paris, Henry M. Pechter, Stanley Ross of the Latin American Press Syndicate, and Hans Steinitz of Der Bund of Switzerland

Questions:

It is not possible to enforce human rights; that's why the universal declaration was so important. It was the first effort to have the whole group covered then attempt to come to a mutual understanding. They argued over the meaning of words for hours.

University of Alabama might have had the effect of making US members realize there was work to be done at home; what was put down on paper affected every nation. The Supreme Court decision brought the race problem to a head. Efforts must now be made more than ever before. This is a growing time for us.

Things are gradually improving; you don't have miracles. All over the world, there are white people in sympathy with the Negroes. Should be praising white Southerners who are making progress.

Resignation of the Chinese ambassador.

Citizens of Jewish faith have no more of a divided faith than others who came from other countries. They are Americans first. Afterward, they have a normal attachment to the countries from which they came.

In the South, we should fulfill the court's mandate to act in good faith. You can't expect all conditions to change. You have to give federal protection to the right to vote. You have to change housing in the South to desegregate schools.

Stevenson's statement that Northerners should not look on contempt at Southerners was an attempt to give credit to white Southerners who are standing up in a more difficult situation than those in the North.

Increase in industrial development in the South will have considerable effect.

Our world situation is not as good now as three years ago.

Comments on the present administration.

We should take in to consideration other countries' situations; shouldn't wait for a crisis to occur.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 72262
Municipal archives id: LT7094