SOCIAL CONTROLS SUPPORTING THE BIRACIAL SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES ARE PRIMARILY LEGAL AND ARE OFTEN IN CONFLICT WITH THE PREVAILING MORAL AND RELIGIOUS PRECEPTS. THE NEGRO PROTEST IS NOT ONLY AGAINST WIDESPREAD DEPRIVATIONS, BUT ALSO AGAINST RELATIVE DEPRIVATIONS OR BARRIERS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THEM FROM ENJOYING CERTAIN RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES THAT ARE REGARDED AS ETHICALLY, MORALLY, AND SOCIALLY LEGITIMATE FOR OTHER AMERICANS, NEGROES HAVE NEVER ACCEPTED THEIR SUBORDINATE SOCIAL STATUS AS MORALLY, ETHICALLY, OR LEGALLY JUST. CONSEQUENTLY, DESPITE THE PRESENT DANGER OF RETALIATION FROM WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND THE THREAT OF A WHITE "BACKLASH," THEY HAVE ALWAYS REGISTERED THEIR PROTEST. AS A RULE, THE NEGRO PROTEST HAS BEEN DIRECTED AGAINST CUSTOMS AND LAWS DESIGNED TO PLACE UNUSUAL LIMITS ON THEIR FREEDOM, TO PREVENT THEM FROM GAINING RECOGNITION AND STATUS, AND TO SUBJECT THEM TO INDIGNITIES AND REJECTION. THE NEGRO PROTEST IS A REAFFIRMATION OF THE FAITH NEGROES HAVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. THIS ARTICLE IS A PEPRINT FROM THE ANNALS OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE, VOLUME 357, JANUARY 1965.