Dr. R. W. Gregg maintained that there was no short cut to immediate racial integration in the U.S. However, he felt optimistic about the future, although integration could be enforced by law, prejudice would remain. No democracy was able to destroy its defects quickly but the wave of liberalism was strong, he pointed out.

Political scientist Gregg comes from North Carolina, a southern border state. He has been an active advocate of integration. He began his talk to World Affairs Council by saying that the Negro problem was a national one in the U.S. The Negroes made up ten per cent, of the U.S. population and were scattered all over the country. The odour of race hate fell on the country as a whole, not just the South. But, it was only in the South that there was a rigid colour bar.

Segregation took two forms—by custom, or by law. That entrenched by custom was beyond reform activity, except education. Where the law supported seggregation it was easier to have reform legislation. "Southerners believe segregation to be a way of life. Segregation covers education, voting, transport, even cemeteries," said Dr. Gregg.

The U.S. had a federal system. Power was divided. The central government had three depositories of power. The Supreme Court showed the most initiative. The Congress, a more conservative body with southern senators, did little to promote integration. The President would like to do a lot but feared annoying Southern Democrats who could stand in the way of his legislation, according to Dr Gregg.

The state governments occupied a strong position. The constitution allowed them control of education, elections, police. Literacy tests were administered at a local level, often by white supremacists. They discriminated against the Negro. Negroes were on a lower educational level than many whites, but there was still overt discrimination.