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Telegram to JFK

 

 

TO :PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY, THE WHITE HOUSE,
JUNE 16, 1963.

 

I LOOK FORWARD TO PRIVILEGE OF BEING PRESENT AT MEETING
TOMORROW AT 4 P.M.
LIKELIHOOD EXISTS THAT NEGRO PROBLEM WILL BE LIKE THE WEATHER.
EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT IT BUT NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
PLEASE DEMAND OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT
NOT JUST SOLEMN DECLARATION.
WE FORFEIT THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP GOD
AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO HUMILIATE NEGROES.
CHURCHES SYNAGOGUES HAVE FAILED. THEY MUST REPENT.
ASK OF RELIGIOUS LEADERSTO CALL FOR NATIONAL REPENTANCE
AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE.
LET RELIGIOUS LEADERS DONATE ONE MONTH’S SALARY
TOWARD FUND FOR NEGRO HOUSING AND EDUCATION.
I PROPOSE THAT YOU MR. PRESIDENT DECLARE STATE OF MORAL EMERGENCY.
A MARSHALL PLAN FOR AID TO NEGROES IS BECOMING A NECESSITY.
THE HOUR CALLS FOR HIGH MORAL GRANDEUR AND SPIRITUAL AUDACITY.

 

Abraham Joshua Heschel

 

 

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