Series aimed at promoting racial and ethnic harmony at home in the struggle against fascism abroad. Former NY Governor Alfred E. Smith (a year before his death) talks the need for unity in the war effort. America is the land of immigrants. Totalitarian states trying to convince their people that we are divided because of prejudice. Talks of his Irish background and other immigrants. Assimilation. We can't afford prejudice in difficult times. If we do, all purpose goes out of our lives and we destroy the things we are fighting for. We've built the greatest city in the world by rising above prejudice. This is a really good rap on New York and its immigrant heritage.

Metropolitan Opera Tenor Jan Peerce sings two songs with piano accompaniment. This series was arranged by the "Mayor's Committee" and "heard everyday for 30 days on a different radio station in the city". Each of these programs
seems to have been produced at a different radio station or handful of New York stations including WNYC. This is the second that I've found that was aired on WNYC even though it was produced at WJZ.

"....The first big wave of immigration from Ireland began about 100 years
ago. The Irish who came to New York came here to escape poverty and to enjoy
the priviledge of freedom of worship. They brought with them strong
traditions and warm family loyalties and as lively an imagination as any
people on the earth. They found prejudice when they came. When they looked
for jobs they would often find signs that read, "No Irish Need Apply." But
New York City made room for them and they made a place for themselves in New
York....."


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WNYC archives id: 5747