Letters

New Crisis, The, Jul/Aug 1999

Clinton Lackeys Laughable

It is laughable that you and the Clinton Lackeys in Washington can speak of the "The American People" voting this man into office. But that's typical behavior for Democrats and left-wingers in general. Any lie will suffice to save face or to thwart an issue. And the fact that this man dupes a large number of blacks is no surprise. White men like Bill Clinton have been duping blacks since we first landed on these shores. In the beginning, it was usually a "Massa" who made us think he cared, while he used us to every advantage that he could think of, especially black women.

Do not make the mistake of believing that there are no blacks out here who loathe Bill and Hillary Clinton, and I am one of them-this child of the Jim Crow south, who readily sees through their power plays. What decent Americans will have to understand is that we are fighting for the soul of this nation, and it is indeed a war-and war breeds casualities..

Sylvia A. Thompson

Sunnyvale, CA

Congratulations

Congratulations on the issue celebrating Black History Month. It is by far one of the best issues. Keep it up.

I want to add - it is by far one of the best publications in the country. I am a life member of the NAACP and membership chair of the Durham, NC chapter.

Samuel Reed

Durham, NC

Magazine Memorable

You have made a memorable magazine and the January/ February issue is without a doubt the best I've ever seen.

I am proud Native American and have felt that we, the native Americans should unite with African Americans. Of course we historically have done that. The earliest escapees from slavery came to us. Even the old house I grew up in had a hidden basement for the Underground Railroad. In Indiana, where I grew up virtually all of my tribe enlisted during the Civil War.

The reason I joined the NAACP should be evident. We are the other minority. I found out how much a minority I was after service in Korea when I suddenly became "that damned Indian" again, when I came home.

I will use the old union closing.

In Solidarity

Jim Emerick

Shifrin Ally

Eugene M. Shifrin's suggestion that NAACP initials stand for National African American Coalition for progress is a good one.

Some years ago I suggested National Association for Active Citizen Participation for Civil Rights or NAACP for Civil Rights.

Warren Himmelberger

Littleton, MA.

Campaign Finance a Destroyer

Thank you for an outstanding publication with great coverage of events and issues that affect our daily lives.

One issue that requires more attention by those of us who care about civil rights is the filthy and corrupt campaign finance system. The way that elections are financed-the buying and selling of our elected officials-is destroying American democracy.

Paul M. Rensted

Farrhaven, MD.

Another Bravo.

I am writing in response to Ms Ida E. Lewis' editorial in the December 1998 issue titled "The Far Right Wing: The Enemy Within." I just want to say, "Bravo" and "Right On!"

In a misguided effort to appear fair and to avoid the appearance of being critical of so called "Christians", many people have failed to correctly label the conservative political and religious trend in American politics for what it actually is: a return to the regressive, repressive, racial and bigoted policies which have blighted the pages of American history.

It is time, long overdue, for moderates and liberals of conscience to stand up and tell the "moral majority," the conservative Christian Coalition, and the rightwing of the Republican party that their policies are morally wrong and that they do not represent either American or "family" values. Our failure to name them for what they are legitimizes their activities and allows those whose thinking leans in that direction to believe that the ultraconservative views being voiced are 'really not that bad" since no one is making much of a fuss except for the few ultra left wing "radicals." Failure to understand that there is a direct philosophical continuum which intimately connects the Trent Lotts and Charlton Hestons to the Timothy McVays and Eric Rudolphs of our world will, inevitably, lead to further lawlessness since the "law and order' the right wing espouses so fervently actually translates as "we'll do whatever we want and call it legal."

We have seen this train of events at least once before in Germany during the 1930s. No one should forget that failure to react quickly and firmly to threats to everyone's freedom will ultimately lead to repetition of the horrors of Nazi Germany, with everyone who does not fit the right wing's definition of a "real American" being led, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, to the next version of Dachau. I applaud Ms. Lewis' forthright article.

Rael Nidess, M.D.

Marshall, TX

The Crisis welcomes reader reactions and encourages expressions of opinion. Letters should include writer's full name and address. Write to The Crisis, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, Maryland, 21215.