Back in Chicago, race relations began to occupy more of JR’s thoughts and conversations. He said, “A harelip is a misfortune, a club foot is a deformity, but side whiskers are a man’s own fault. And race prejudices are side whiskers that are a man’s own fault.”[15] JR was invited to join the newly formed National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which he did, even arranging for the Chicago chapter to meet at his temple. He served on its board and gave speeches on its behalf. Booker T. Washington wrote to Teddy Roosevelt, who was also on the board of Tuskegee, saying that he
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