Black History Month

Beyond Racism: Building an Open Society

Whitney M. Young Jr.

Non-fiction, 1969

When Whitney M. Young Jr. first wrote Beyond Racism, he was predicting the eventual shift of white populations out to the suburbs, leaving blacks behind in the cities. This sort of insight drew respectful praise even from blacks who previously doubted his sincerity, such as publisher Nathan Hare. Young proposed a federal plan he called the Open Society, which granted blacks positions in controlling government agencies. Citing grim statistics on poverty, infant mortality rates, and the issue of equal pay, Young suggested the equal distribution of unequal resources. A sort of neo-New Deal was to be funded by the sale of Federal bonds to engineer job programs. Most importantly, Young argued, control of urban projects should be in the hands of community councils made up of local citizens. Tax incentives would foster business and industry involvement in cities, while the minimum wage, social security and Medicare entitlements should be made to apply to everyone. Young also proposed tax reforms to grant bonuses to every child in the country and to close corporate loopholes. The welfare system should be eliminated and military spending should be cut by a withdrawal from the Vietnam conflict. Additionally, Young asked unions to be more aggressive in recruiting blacks and endorsed boycotting and picketing as resistance tactics.