Emory S. Bogardus

A Race-Relations Cycle

The race-relations cycle here discussed is a recurrence of the behavior of native Americans toward immigrants. This cycle can be studied in the attitudes toward Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, and Mexicans on the Pacific. There is first curiosity and sympathy, followed by economic welcome which brings an increase of numbers. The third stage is industrial and social antagonism as competition develops. Next comes legislative antagonism, succeeded by fair-play tendencies, after which a sixth stage of quiescence is reached. The last phase is found in the second-generation difficulties, the assimilated children being only partially accepted by the natives.

The Mexican Immigrant and Segregation

The number of Mexican immigrants who have taken out citizenship papers is very small, and this is regarded as a result of segregation. The Mexican when questioned about this answers that Americans in Mexico do not become Mexican citizens; or he is expecting to return to Mexico, but he rarely does. The Mexican brings with him a high degree of loyalty to his native country; often the educated and prosperous Mexican is prevented by property-owners from owning property in the better neighborhoods; the Mexican can secure justice from the Mexican consul more easily than in the courts in the United States. Finally, the Mexican says even if he became a citizen Americans would still call him a dirty greaser. Segregation is an especially acute problem for the children in the schools.

The House-Court Problem

A phase of the housing problem in the United States that is almost as old as the nation, but that has not heretofore been discussed, as far as the writer is aware, is that known as the house-court problem. A study of the house-court is of social value for at least two reasons. First, the house-court has given rise on a large scale to as unsanitary and anti-social living conditions, according to Jacob Riis, as have existed anywhere in the United States, not even excepting the New York tenements. Secondly, the housecourt offers for the industrial classes, under given conditions, a type of housing which is of superior character for actual living purposes and for homes. The writer has made an analysis of the facts concerning I,202 house-courts in which over I6,ooo men, women, and children live in Los Angeles. The main facts were secured by the municipal housing inspectors. Other sources are special studies made of particular house-courts. Before the results of this study are given, it may be well to define the house-court and to explain briefly the nature of the leading types.