FORBIDDEN NEIGHBORS

A rousing study of the housing situation in relation to minority groups brings the problem to the individual and civic doorstep. Concerned with the connection of the housing problem -- not enough houses, not the right kind of houses or housing -- with prejudice, Mr. Abrams traces the history of prejudice in America and follows current incidents and situations. He considers the migrant Mexicans, the Puerto Rican airlifters, the Negro come North, the Jew -- in terms of housing, hotels and resorts, city and suburb. His greatest concern is with the attitude and action of the government in regard to segregation and prejudice as it takes greater part in the housing of the nation. He brings out the undermining of rights by law as in the Cicero case, later partially rectified, the nature and fallacies of objections to integration; the cases of intrusion as mainly those of people desperate for housing, the harmful former policy of the FHA; the possibility of urban redevelopment turning into an ousting of minorities instead of social reform -- all important parts of the scene. Illustrations of violence and its basis, of integration and its fruit; commendations wide in range suitable to particular situations -- tend toward an enlightened, educated and educating policy with a view to sound economic and ethical principles. For concerned citizens a portion will apply; only those deeply involved need the whole.