Human Rights at the Summit
As I write this, I am struck by two dichotomous articles in The Times (Part I, May 29). The first emphasizes Reagan’s determination to raise the “human rights†issue in his talks with the Soviets.
Let it be stated here and now, that this writer has nothing good to say about the lack of human rights in the Soviet Union.
But--the big but--under our system of democratic government, dissent is not only tolerated but even encouraged. So, why is it that we practice racism--call it a form of dissent if you will, but the blatant fact is that though we decry a lack of rights in Russia, or South Africa or any number of other nations we practice it ourselves, openly, blatantly and indiscriminately.
The article “Young, Black, in Critical Condition†in the Opinion section details in gruesome fashion the blatant disregard of human rights that we, here, in this bastion of democracy practice daily and unceasingly for endless years--and will keep on doing.
Advice is freely given, never taken. We tell the Soviets--do we listen to their reactions to our hypocrisy?
Hypocrites--we are the real hypocrites--preaching goodness, but practicing the reverse.
JACK H. CHESNER
North Hollywood
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