Blacks and Jews

To the Editors of The Crimson:

The history of antagonism between blacks and Jews goes back many years and has been deeply hurtful to both people. This pitting of one oppressed group against another has only served to help maintain the status quo and to make real gains for either group.

Unfortunately, Cedric Vessell's letter (9/27/70) only serves to perpetuate this feeling of antagonism and to alienate a group that has been at the forefront of civil rights struggles in this country for many years. To tie the plight of Afro-American Studies to the gains which Jews have made at Harvard is highly counterproductive, diverting attention from the institutionalized racism which is the heart of the problem.

The struggle for a strong and vital Afro-American Studies Department is one of the most important issues we face this year and will not be won unless we are united in the effort. Mark Lipman