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Community Currents
Southwestern Jewish Press, September 14, 1951,  page 2

By Albert Hutler, Executive Director, United Jewish Fund

Ugly—Ugly—Ugly—Ugly —KFMB's Editorial Page last Friday at 6:30 p.m. told a story of racial prejudice here in very simple terms. It wasn't as dramatic as the vandalism in Cicero, Illinois which faced a Negro and his family who were moving into an apartment. It wasn't as tragic the denial of burial in Sioux City, Iowa, when the body of an Winnebago Indian, a World War II and Korean veteran, was refused burial in a cemetery reserved for Caucasians. But it was just as odious a piece of racial prejudice that took place right here in San Diego two weeks ago. The case here in San Diego concerns one named Bew H. Gee, born of Chinese parents thirty0six years ago in Oakland—an American citizen. According to KFMB, Gee attended the University of California for two years and later was drafted into the Army where he served five years. He saw action in the CBI theatre and went behind enemy lines. For his bravery, he was decorated with the Bronze Star medal. He is now a member of the reserve with a rank of first lieutenant. He was living happily on Alpha St. in East San Diego, when a legal dispute between Gee and another tenant arose, in which the other tenant was accused of disturbing the peace by using obscene language to Mrs. Gee. The other tenant was fined. Here's where Gee's housing problem began. His landlord informed him that beginning September 1, his rent would increase from $45 to $230,00 a month.  Gee looked around for a place to live. He finally found one far east on Madison Ave. with a rental of $75.00 a month. Gee wanted to move in a few days prior to Sept. 1. The agent told him it was alright to move in if Gee in turn would clean up the apartment with paint and floor wax to be supplied by the landlord. Though the paint and floor wax was not forthcoming Gee and his wife worked wonders with soap and water and their little home is now neat and clean. They moved in on Saturday. On Monday the agent came around, after inspecting the house and congratulating Gee on the appearance of the room. He then called Gee aside and hold him he would have to move out as soon as possible.  Gee naturally asked why. The agent said there had been some complaints that the family was too noisy. Not a word, of course, about his ancestry or his color. Some of you may have seen Harold Keen's television program in which Gee's next door neighbor came along and stated that in his judgment there had been nothing to bear out the charge of undue noise. In fact, said his neighbor, the Gee family were quiet and considerate neighbors. Quoting Paul White's word, "But we can't help asking, 'Why is that a war-time hero commanding respect and earning a medal for bravery should be regarded in San Diego as a second-class citizen. Was the color of his skin important when he was fighting to protect the land on which the property now occupied was later constructed?"  Sioux City, Iowa—a refusal to bury an American Indian who died in Korea.  Cicero, Illinois—refusal to permit a Negro to move into an apartment house.  San Diego, California—refusal to permit an American Citizen of Chinese extraction to live in a house.  Where next and who?  It might be you.

Organizations Honor Their Leaders—Two celebrations were held last week which ought to remind us that a person's good deeds should be celebrated while he is still alive. The Reuben Umansky's fortieth anniversary and the Sam Brooks' thirtieth anniversary were celebrated in fitting fashion by the members of organizations in which they are vitally interested. Both of these couples have not only served their individual organizations but have taken an active interest in community life as well.

Displaced Persons—It is anticipated that displaced persons will continue to arrive in San Diego for at least another six months. With most of the families who are here now completely independent financially, the San Diego program is regarded as one of the most successful in the country.