{"value"=>"<p>Series documents the many forms of racial discrimination in Panama, affecting the entire country as well as the discriminatory policies of the Panamanian government affecting West Indians and African-American tourists. Information regarding U. S. discriminatory policies impacting life on the Canal Zone is also included.</p> <p>The series contains Westerman's writings, in draft and published form, discussing his efforts to change several of these discriminatory policies. Through his participation with the National Civic League and news articles he wrote, Westerman was involved in modifying the 1941 Constitution of Panama, which had denationalized people of West Indian descent by revoking the citizenship of individuals born in Panama of foreign born parents within restricted immigrant classes. The 1946 amendment, which Westerman had supported, succeeded in partially restoring citizenship, however the right of full citizenship from birth was not restored until the passage of the Bazan Amendment in 1961.</p> <p>The Immigration Law of 1948 was another discriminatory law enacted by Panama which was protested by Westerman. The law categorized \"prohibited peoples\", among them, English- speaking blacks, and specified that tourists of certain nationalities could only visit Panama for 30 days and had to pay a deposit of $500 to guarantee their return to their country of origin. In contrast, white visitors were permitted to enter Panama for a longer period of time and only had to pay $150. The series includes correspondence with tourists explaining their difficulties, and news clippings and correspondence discussing Westerman's letter to Panamanian President Remón protesting this discriminatory practice. Articles written by Westerman and others report on the difficulties encountered by Jamaicans and Trinidadians in obtaining visas for short visits.</p> <p>The series also contains news articles Westerman and others wrote which discuss support for the law granting West Indian Panamanians full citizenship. Several folders deal with discriminatory practices in restaurants in Panama City and contain news clippings, correspondence and statements by President de la Guardia opposing such practices, 1952-1956. Also documented in this series are discriminatory practices imposed by the U. S. government against West Indian workers which also resulted in an inferior education for children of African-American employees on the Canal Zone, 1937-1938. Material documenting such practices includes a discussion of Westerman's 1950 speech about the mass media presented in Switzerland and Washington, and U. S. military records regarding incidents on the Panama Canal Zone in 1940 and 1971. Several publications and news clippings from 1940-1948 complete this series.</p>"}