Racism

To the Editors of the Crimson:

The letter of Frederick C. Moten et al (47-26), which makes frequent use of the word "racism," is, in my own opinion, itself racist. It is so because it ignores the rights of Jews to express their legitimate views, and makes an overgeneralized statement about white America.

The authors of this letter place the words "Black Jewish relations" in quotation marks, and claim that no such relations exists or ever did exists. I wonder if they would have made such a claim in the 1960s when American Jews and Blacks marched and fought together during the heyday of the Civil Rights movement. The letter serves only to maintain the present painful state of relations between the two groups. It precludes the possibility of any dialogue until American Jews begin vocally attacking Israel's policies in South Africa. This statement only shows how the Arab Oil States' propaganda has been totally successful in convincing American Blacks that Israel plays an important role in maintaining the South African regime, Israel's trade relations with South Africa are miniscule compared to that of the United States, the EEC, the Arab states and even Black African nations economic relations with that regime (see the 1979 Yearbook of International Trade Statistics). Even more importantly, American Jews are not, and cannot be finally responsible for braeli government policy. For any Black person or organization to tie positive dialogue with Jews to the state of Israel's relations with South Africa is both antisemitic and shortsighted. Surely Blacks themselves have a lot to gain from good relations with American Jews. It is unfortunate that those such as Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan and the authors of this letter have chosen to poison Black-Jewish relations instead of attempting to improve them.

The separatist tendencies of this letter are truly appalling. They state, "We condemn as racist any white who would dare judge the decisions of Blacks regarding the inclusion or ostracism of anyone from our community." First, I am hopeful that a decision taken by Louis Farrakhan does not represent the vast majority of American Blacks, especially in light of his most hateful statement to date, calling Adolf Hitler a "great man." Secondly, it is certainly the right and even the obligation of any American to comment on wrongful actions towards any other American, such as the ostracism of Milton Coleman by Farrakhan. To pretend otherwise is to separate oneself from the American people as a whole, and to deny legitimate democratic rights to all.

The authors of the letter attribute the hesitancy of many liberal White voters in supporting Jackson to "some dark and secret reason." The reason is not so dark, nor is it a great secret. Jackson could have indeed raised the level of this-presidential campaign by involving an ethnic group of traditional liberals who have supported Black rights in the past. Har-old Washington might not have won in Chicago if not for the Jewish support he received (running against a Jewish candidate). Yet, Jackson chose instead to lower the level by making racial slurs and then attempting to cover them up, and by refusing to turn his back on the likes of Mr. Farrakhan, lets no small wonder that many liberal voters find it extremely difficult to support Jackson, despite his assuredly liberal stance on all of the issues in this campaign. The one point on which I do agree with the authors of this letter is that Jackson really has no intention of drumming up such White liberal support, and that his rainbow is truly a black one.

Finally, I would like to say that I look forward very much to the end of this Democratic presidential campaign. So that the climate might improve in Black-Jewish relations. F. Moten and his friends may not see the value in this, but most Blacks and Jews assuredly do. Despite of the blatant racism and separatism of a minority of the Black population at Harvard. I will continue to work for better Black-Jewish cooperation and understanding on campus, and nationwide. Steven Schwartz   Chairperson, H-R Hillel Coordinating Council